Pre-season is a crucial time for any club, providing the perfect opportunity to integrate new signings, build chemistry and regain match sharpness after the summer break. This pre-season is especially significant as it marks the club’s first-ever season in the National League North. Although the step up brings new challenges, there is a real buzz around the club following last season’s title-winning success, and everyone is excited for what the new campaign may bring.
Here’s a closer look at the eight fixtures that make up the Bees’ pre-season schedule.
Moulton FC
Pre-season gets under way with an away trip to Northamptonshire to take on Moulton FC on Saturday, 4th July. Moulton are coming off the back of an eighth-place finish in the United Counties League Premier Division South (Step 5). This season will mark manager Gary Petts’ fifth season in charge, having overseen a successful spell at the club. This is also the Bees’ shortest journey of pre-season, with the trip just 16 miles from the Beehive.
Real Bedford
Next up, we travel to Bedfordshire to face familiar opposition in Real Bedford on Saturday, 11th July. After finishing third in the Southern League Premier Central Division and losing the play-off final after extra time, they will be aiming to go one step further this season. Following two draws between the sides in the last campaign, both teams will be hoping to get one over the other in pre-season.
Coventry United
Three days later, we make our return to the Beehive to face Coventry United. Coming off the back of a promotion-winning season, they now compete in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands (Step 4). Cameron Dunn is certainly a player to watch after an impressive campaign in which he claimed both the Players’ Player and Board’s Player of the Season awards, scoring 31 goals. Coventry United is also a former club of last season’s top scorer, Riley O’Sullivan, who signed for The Red and Greens in 2019.
Chesham United
Staying at the Beehive, the Bees take on Chesham United on Saturday, 18th July. Chesham finished 11th in the National League South last season, providing another strong test against opposition competing at the same level as the National League North. The Generals are managed by the joint-management duo of James Duncan and Michael Murray, who have been in charge since 2018 and guided the club to promotion into the National League South. The Generals have also become one of non-league football’s most recognisable clubs thanks to their association with Taskmaster creator Alex Horne, who is both a club director and long-time supporter. The popular television programme has also featured as the club’s front-of-shirt sponsor.
St Ives Town
Next, we face St Ives Town at the Beehive on Tuesday, 21st July. St Ives will be looking to bounce back after finishing 19th and subsequently being relegated from the Southern League Premier Central Division. As they move into their 140th season as a club, they will want the best possible pre-season to prepare for the upcoming campaign. The Bees will also be looking to maintain their good record against this opposition, having won both meetings last season.
Quorn FC
Days later, the Bees make the short trip to Farley Way Stadium to take on Quorn FC on Saturday, 25th July. Quorn finished eighth in the Southern League Premier Central Division last season. The Bees were victorious 1-0 in both meetings between the sides during the last campaign. Quorn are a familiar side for several members of Mitch Austin’s squad, having recently signed full-back Silvio Bello and midfielder Prince Mancinelli, who both represented the Leicestershire club last season. Alex Morris and Devon Kelly-Evans have also featured for Quorn during their careers.
Peterborough United Under-21s
The Bees return to the Beehive on Tuesday, 28th July, as we welcome Peterborough United Under-21s. Having finished sixth in the main phase of the Professional Development League before falling short in the play-off quarter-finals, they will be looking to go a step further next season. Seventeen-year-old Patryk Sykut is a key player, having made nine first-team appearances last season and scored once in League One. He will be hoping to continue his development and impress again this campaign. Another player to watch is winger Bolu Shofowoke, who featured for Peterborough’s Under-18s, Under-21s and first team during the last campaign. This promises to be another excellent test against a talented young side.
Peterborough Sports
Our pre-season campaign comes to a close with an away trip to Lincoln Road to face Peterborough Sports on Saturday, 1st August. The Turbines will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign that ended in relegation from the National League North after finishing 23rd. Recently appointed manager Graham Drury will be looking to make his mark and assess his squad ahead of the new season. Sports are another familiar opponent for several of the Bees’ players, with Rory McAuley, Paul Malone, Eliot Putman and Connor Kennedy all having represented the club during their careers. They will also be hoping to gain some revenge after the Bees’ 4-1 victory in last season’s Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round.
A historic season awaits as the club prepares to compete in the National League North for the first time. With eight fixtures providing a variety of tests against opposition from across the football pyramid, pre-season offers the perfect opportunity to build momentum ahead of a landmark campaign. We look forward to welcoming supporters back to the Beehive and seeing plenty of Bees fans on the road throughout the summer.