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Please be aware that due to circumstances out of our control, tomorrow’s game vs Doncaster Mustangs has been postponed.
We are doing what we can to get the game rearranged, and will publish any further information once confirmed.
Sincere apologies for all inconvenience caused, especially to our friends at the Mustangs.
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The Eagles’ fourth and final home game of the 2016 season takes place this Sunday as we welcome the Doncaster Mustangs to Bedford International Athletics Stadium in the Midlands Football Conference (12pm).
TThe Mustangs were formed in 2002 by Mark Blyth, Doug McLean and James Berry, who had grown tired of driving to Merseyside to coach and play for the Nighthawks each weekend.
In the team’s second year they won the BAFL Division 2 title following an undefeated season which culminated in a 32-13 win over the Chiltern (now Hertfordshire) Cheetahs at the Don Valley Stadium in the bowl game.
The team made it back to the play-offs in 2005, and in 2007 moved to the newly-opened Keepmoat Stadium.
After three seasons in the Premier Division North between 2012 and 2014 where they posted successive records of 6-3-1, 6-4 and 0-9, the Mustangs were relegated to the restructured Northern Football Conference 1.
Last season the Mustangs went 4-6 to finish eighth in NFC 1, which included a strong finish to the campaign that saw them win their last three games.
Their first game of the season was the 13-12 defeat against the Eagles on 17th April, and they picked up their first win two weeks later against the Birmingham Bulls (20-13).
Since then they beat the impressive Sandwell Steelers 6-3, lost at the Nottingham Caesars (16-12) before getting their revenge at home (36-19).
In their last two games they completed the double over the Bulls thanks to a convincing 30-12 win at the Keepmoat, but in their last game went down 48-0 away to the Steelers.
After Peterborough pulled out of the league Sunday is the Mustangs’ last game of the season, and a win should be good enough to secure a play-off place.
The Eagles meanwhile come into the game on the back of an impressive 40-19 victory over the Nottingham Caesars last month to move to 4-4 for the season, with a place in the play-offs still a possibility.
The Eagles will be without Kevin Kong, Miguel Alvarez-Frias, Nathaniel Ashby and Oliver Lattimer, as well as long-term injury victims defensive back Vasco Dias (knee), offensive lineman James Busby (leg) and defensive lineman Anthony Ogunleye (shoulder).
This week’s programme cover features Chairman and Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster.
Inside we hear from McMaster, Interim Head Coach Darren Hill and Rookie of the Week Nathan Spencer.
We also have a feature on our visitors the Doncaster Mustangs, a Spectator Guide and more.
The programme is free with admission (£2 each for adults or free for under-18s).
Our home games are played at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9SB.
The Bedford River Festival is taking place this weekend which means there may be some road closures in place around the Embankment, so please ensure you leave extra time to get to BIAS for the game:
Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:
Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster was pleased with the progression of his offense’s running game in Sunday’s win over the Doncaster Mustangs.
The Eagles beat the Mustangs 13-12 at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday, in a game which saw plenty of turnovers – including five interceptions by the Eagles defense.
Speaking after the game McMaster said:
It was a tough defensive battle and ultimately our defense won us the game, something that I think will stand us in good stead moving forward.
We showed some progression on offense from last week, and our running game looks to be consistently good, which is a huge jump from last season.
The Eagles are back in BAFANL action this Sunday with a home games against the Nottingham Caesars. It will be the team’s third game is successive weeks, but Coach McMaster says he can see definite positives in the tough early schedule:
The benefit to playing three games in a row is that we can develop some momentum and team chemistry, and I think these two away trips have definitely helped in those regards.
These are the core elements of a championship side, and I firmly believe if we keep improving, that’s exactly what we will be.
Kick off for the game at Bedford International Athletics Stadium is midday, with admission priced at £2 each for adults (for which you receive a free programme) or free for those under-18.
Admission is also free for anyone who as downloaded our mobile app for iOS and Android.
Interim Head Coach Darren Hill paid tribute to his defense after Sunday’s win over the Doncaster Mustangs.
The Eagles beat the Mustangs 13-12 at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday, in a game which saw plenty of turnovers – including five interceptions from Hill’s D.
Speaking after the game Coach Hill said that he was very happy to get the first win of the season:
After losing in week one it was important for us to get back to winning ways, and whilst it wasn’t pretty we managed to come away from our furthest away trip of the season with the result we needed.
Whilst our Offense isn’t quite firing on all cylinders yet there was a huge improvement in our run game with the OL creating some nice holes for our RBs.
Our Special Teams also performed well, recovering an on-side kick, returning a punt for a TD which was unfortunately negated by a penalty and the extra point being the difference between winning and tying the game.
This victory however belongs to our D. From start to finish they shut down the Doncaster run game forcing them to try and beat us through the air.
The Mustangs have an excellent QB and some very good receivers but our five interceptions – including one returned to their end zone and one picked off in our end zone in the last minute of the game – sealed our victory.
There is still lots to work on but I am happy with where we are as a team. Several beers on the long trip home were exactly what we needed after a hard fought win, and we look forward to continuing this momentum as we face another challenging opponent this Sunday at BIAS.
The Eagles are back in BAFANL action this Sunday with our first home game of the season, against the Nottingham Caesars.
Kick off is midday at BIAS, with admission priced at £2 each for adults (for which you receive a free programme) or free for those under-18.
Admission is also free for anyone who as downloaded our mobile app for iOS and Android.
The Eagles picked up their first win of the season with a hard-fought 13-12 victory over Doncaster Mustangs at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday.
Following the coin toss the Eagles received the opening kick-off but went three and out on their first possession. Doncaster’s first drive stalled around midfield, and after the Eagles were again forced to punt they regained possession thanks to an interception by Chris Parr.
The momentum would soon swing back in favour of the hosts after the Eagles threw a pick of their own, and the Mustangs took the lead after a pass from seven yards out.
The Eagles offense looked to have clicked as they drove deep into Doncaster territory, but following another interception in the red zone the scoring opportunity was lost.
Both teams exchanged possession for most of the second quarter but when Nate Ashby picked off the Mustangs QB the Eagles O was finally able to punch the ball in after driving thirty yards, Curtis Williston finishing the drive with a one-yard run.
The second half got off to a blistering start after the Eagles successfully recovered an onside kick but quickly settled back into the same pattern as both offenses struggled to move the ball.
Proceedings were given a jump start when Parr returned a Mustangs punt 85 yards to the house only to see it called back for a flag, and three plays later the hosts were in the end zone.
They were unable to convert the two-point conversion though, and those missed points would ultimately turn out to be the difference between the two sides.
As the fourth quarter got underway the Eagles had the ball on their own 20. They were unable to turn the possession into a meaningful drive and Doncaster started again on their own 42 following a punt, but when Parr stepped in front of his receiver for his second interception of the day and returned it to the end zone, the Eagles had the lead.
The two-point conversion was no good, and on the Mustangs’ next possession Parr again caught an interception – his third of the day.
With around five minutes to play the Mustangs had the ball and started driving into Eagles territory.
A holding penalty on first and goal from the six with a little under 90 seconds to play pushed them back to the 16-yard line, and with 54 seconds left Nate Ashby picked off the QB in the end zone for his second – and the defense’s fifth – interception of the day to seal the win.
The Eagles are back in BAFANL action this Sunday with our first home game of the season, against Nottingham Caesars.
Kick off is midday at BIAS, with admission priced at £2 each for adults (for which you receive a free programme) or free for those under-18.
Admission is also free for anyone who as downloaded our mobile app for iOS and Android.
The 2016 BAFANL Midlands Football Conference continues this weekend as the Eagles travel to Doncaster to take on the Mustangs.
Last season the Mustangs went 4-6 to finish eighth in NFC 1, which included a strong finish to the campaign that saw them win their last three games. They will be looking to continue that good run against the Eagles in what will be their first game of the season season.
The Eagles kicked off their 2016 campaign last week with a disappointing defeat away to Sandwell Steelers.
Eagles QB Zach Wodaege returns to the squad after missing the Sandwell game with a knee injury.
Anthony Ogunleye is out after dislocating his shoulder last weekend, and LB Byron Chowles is doubtful due to an ankle knock.
Offensive Linemen James Busby and John Phillips will both miss the game, but Defensive Linemen Dick Price and Oliver Lattimer make welcome returns.
Rookie RB Raul Fernandez will again be a game time decision with an oblique strain, and Defensive Back Vasco Dias continues his recuperation from a serious knee injury.
The Mustangs play their home games at the Keepmoat Stadium complex on the Athletics Arena, Stadium Way, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 5JW.
If you can’t make it to Doncaster for the game, we will be providing regular in-game updates on all the action via our Facebook and Twitter pages from 2.30pm.
Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:
In the second part of our series taking a closer look at 2016’s MFC1 (Midland Football Conference 1) opponents, we concentrate on the Doncaster Mustangs…
The Mustangs were formed in 2002 by Mark Blyth, Doug McLean and James Berry, who had grown tired of driving to Mereyside to coach and play for the Nighthawks each weekend.
In the team’s second year they won the BAFL Division 2 title following an undefeated season which culminated in a 32-13 win over the chiltern (now Hertfordshire) Cheetahs at the Don Valley Stadium in the bowl game.
The team made it back to the play-offs in 2005, and in 2007 moved to the newly-opened Keepmoat Stadium.
After three seasons in the Premier Division North between 2012 and 2014 where the they posted successive records of 6-3-1, 6-4 and 0-9, the Mustangs were relegated to the restructured Northern Football Conference 1.
Last season the Mustangs went 4-6 to finish eighth in NFC 1, which included a strong finish to the campaign that saw them win their last three games.
Sun April 12th @ Edinburgh Wolves LOST 27-15
Sun April 26th vs Gateshead Senators LOST 27-14
Sun May 10th vs Clyde Valley Blackhawks LOST 17-8
Sun May 24th @ Gateshead Senators WON 18-12
Sun May 31st @ Clyde Valley Blackhawks LOST 26-0
Sun June 14th vs Edinburgh Wolves LOST 49-0
Sun June 28th @ Merseyside Nighthawks LOST 1-0 (Walkover)
Sun July 5th vs Shropshire Revolution WON 28-0
Sun July 19th @ Nottingham Caesars WON 26-20
Sun August 9th vs Chester Romans WON 22-17
The Mustangs’ club colours are green and gold. They wear gold helmets with black face cages, green jerseys and gold pants.
Sunday 17th April, Ouse Valley Eagles @ Doncaster Mustangs
Sunday 17th July, Doncaster Mustangs @ Ouse Valley Eagles
The Mustangs play their home games at the Keepmoat Stadium complex on the Athletics Arena, Stadium Way, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 5JW.
Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:
The 2016 regular season schedule has been confirmed, and sees the Eagles kicking off under the lights at Sandwell Steelers on Saturday 9th April.
It is the first ever meeting between the two sides and is followed a week later by another first as we travel to South Yorkshire to face the Doncaster Mustangs for the first time.
The first home game of the season takes place on Sunday 24th April, when we welcome Nottingham Caesars to BIAS, and two weeks later we make the short journey to Peterborough to take on the Saxons.
The return game with the Steelers takes place at BIAS on Sunday 22nd May, and after a short break we have back-to-back games in June at home to the Birmingham Bulls (Sunday 5th June) and the return game at the Caesars (Sunday 12th June).
The regular season is rounded off by three games in July; home to Peterborough Saxons on Sunday 3rd July, home to Doncaster Mustangs on Sunday 17th, and away to Birmingham Bulls on 31st July.
Saturday 9th April @ Sandwell Steelers
Sunday 17th April @ Doncaster Mustangs
Sunday 24th April, 12pm vs Nottingham Caesars
Sunday 8th May @ Peterborough Saxons
Sunday 22nd May, 12pm vs Sandwell Steelers
Sunday 5th June, 12pm vs Birmingham Bulls
Sunday 12th June @ Nottingham Caesars
Sunday 3rd July, 12pm vs Peterborough Saxons
Sunday 17th July, 12pm vs Doncaster Mustangs
Sunday 31st July @ Birmingham Bulls
Kick off times for all away games are to be confirmed.
For the 2016 season the top eight teams in Division 1 will progress to the play-offs, which will consist of the top two teams in each of the three conferences (NFC1, MFC1, SFC1) plus the two third-placed teams with the best record.
These play-offs will be ranked nationally, and in the first round will see:
#1 hosting #8
#2 hosting #7
#3 hosting #6
#4 hosting #5
The National Bowl finalists will both be promoted to the Premier Division, and will be inserted on a regional basis. This permits two teams from the same conference being promoted if they are able to earn a Bowl spot.
Following a league restructure the Eagles will be playing in Midlands Football Conference (MFC) 1.
Each team faces each conference opponent home and away to make up a ten-game regular season schedule, meaning that unlike in 2015 there are no inter-conference games.
North Football Conference 1 (NFC1)
– Clyde Valley Blackhawks
– Edinburgh Wolves
– Gateshead Senators
– Manchester Titans
– West Coast Trojans
– Yorkshire Rams
Midlands Football Conference 1 (MFC1)
– Birmingham Bulls
– Doncaster Mustangs
– Nottingham Caesars
– Ouse Valley Eagles
– Peterborough Saxons
– Sandwell Steelers
South Football Conference 1 (SFC1)
– Bury Saints
– Colchester Gladiators
– Hertfordshire Cheetahs
– Kent Exiles
– Solent Thrashers
– Sussex Thunder
Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:
The British American Football Association (BAFA) have announced an expansion of Division 1 of the National League from 16 to 18 teams, and the creation of MFC1 (Midland Football Conference 1).
The Eagles have been placed in MFC1 along with 2015 opponents Birmingham Bulls, as well Doncaster Mustangs, Nottingham Caesars, Peterborough Saxons and Sandwell Steelers.
Each team will face each conference opponent home and away to make up a ten-game regular season schedule, meaning that unlike in 2015 there will be no inter-conference games.
2015 opponents Hertfordshire Cheetahs, Colchester Gladiators and Hampshire Thrashers have all been placed in South Football Conference 1.
The provisional 2016 regular season schedule is expected to be announced early in the New Year.
For the 2016 season the top eight teams in Division 1 will progress to the play-offs, which will consist of the top two teams in each of the three conferences (NFC1, MFC1, SFC1) plus the two third-placed teams with the best record.
These play-offs will be ranked nationally, and in the first round will see:
#1 hosting #8
#2 hosting #7
#3 hosting #6
#4 hosting #5
The National Bowl finalists will both be promoted to the Premier Division, and will be inserted on a regional basis. This permits two teams from the same conference being promoted if they are able to earn a Bowl spot.
BAFA have also announced that the structure for Division 2 will not be confirmed until the Associate process for 2016 entry is completed next month, however it was confirmed that Cambridgeshire Cats, Chester Romans, East Kent Mavericks and Shropshire Revolution will be competing in Division 2 next season.
North Football Conference 1 (NFC1)
– Clyde Valley Blackhawks
– Edinburgh Wolves
– Gateshead Senators
– Manchester Titans
– West Coast Trojans
– Yorkshire Rams
Midlands Football Conference 1 (MFC1)
– Birmingham Bulls
– Doncaster Mustangs
– Nottingham Caesars
– Ouse Valley Eagles
– Peterborough Saxons
– Sandwell Steelers
South Football Conference 1 (SFC1)
– Bury Saints
– Colchester Gladiators
– Hertfordshire Cheetahs
– Kent Exiles
– Solent Thrashers
– Sussex Thunder
Check back for a closer look at the Eagles’ 2016 opponents on oveagles.com in the coming days.