Rovers made the short trip over the other side of the A421 to start their festive campaign. Scott Dash named three changes to the starting line up, Cooper, Charles and Stratton replacing Laws, Lincoln and Hamilton.

Dash was forced into an early changes as captain Tarik Dallas picked up an injury, Adam Drakulic replacing him. Drakulic came on to play left wing-back, with Miguel Lopes DeMatos moving over to centre back.

The Eagles opened the scoring after good early resistance from Rovers, Butterworth picking the ball up on the edge of the box and finding the top corner.

Rovers had found success going forward on the counter, Charles, Drakulic, Stratton and Hayford all involved with chances for Rovers. However the hosts doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, a clearance on the line from Cooper rebounded straight off of Rowe to roll over the line.

Into the second half and Rovers came out with a spring in their step, Charles picking the ball up on the right flank before unleashing a powerful shot from 30 yards to go in via the post, Charles now the joint top scorer for Rovers with Hayford on eight for the season.

Rovers were hanging in there for the next 20 minutes, however three goals in seven minutes wrapped the game up for the Eagles. Substitutes from the home side all had a big impact, involved in two more goals for Butterworth to complete his hat trick, as well as Tomlinson who got the fifth.

Rovers will be frustrated with the scoreline after a good hour, however the fitness and the clinical finishing from Bedford saw Rovers leave with nothing.
We are next in action on Saturday as we host Thame Utd.