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Three In - One Out at Bedford

It’s three in – one out at Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central club Bedford Town.

Wednesday 11 January 23 I 16:38:13	I	Photo by

Signing from Vanarama National League North side Kettering Town is defender Kornell McDonald. The 21-year-old had been with the Poppies since late September 2022. He joined Derby County at the age of 6 and progressed through the Rams` ranks. He featured for the under-18 and under-23s teams, before signing his first professional deal in 2020. He went on to make his senior debut in Derby's goalless Championship draw against Brentford that same year and made 7 first team appearances in total. Moving to The Eyrie on dual registration from National League North side Hereford FC is goalkeeper Dale Eve. The 27-year-old international keeper signed for Hereford in October 2022 from league rivals Spennymoor Town, where he had been since February 2020. Born in Pembroke Parish in Bermuda, he moved to England to play for Derby County’s youth side in 2011 before catching the attention of Stoke City. The Potters signed him on a two-year development contract before he penned a professional deal in May 2012, before spells at Fleetwood Town, Nuneaton Town, Newcastle Town, Congleton Town and Forest Green Rovers. Following his release from Stoke, he made a permanent switch to Forest Green and was part of the squad that reached the National League Promotion Final at Wembley in 2016. He returned to Bermuda with Dandy Tow and then had spells with Ilkeston Town, Rushall Olympic and Kidderminster Harriers. He has represented his country 15 times, making his debut in November 2011 against Barbados after rising through the youth ranks. Joining on `work experience` from League One side Oxford United is Will Owens. The 19-year-old is a highly rated forward who has plenty of potential and has experience at Step 2 and 3 this season with similar spells at Banbury United and North Leigh. Speaking to www.bedfordeagles.net, manager Paul Davis said: "Will comes again, highly recommended from my contacts at Oxford United. He is young, and still developing. We look to increase that development over the next month with his involvement at the club. He will work well with Charley, Connor and Rene in our forward line." Meanwhile, the Eagles confirmed that Saturday's game against Hednesford Town at the Eyrie was Craig Mackail-Smith's last game. The striker notified the club that he intends to retire, having played one more time in front of the Eagles fans at home. Mackail-Smith (pictured) started his career at St Albans City, where he was loaned out to Arlesey Town. Whilst with Arlesey, he starred in their 4-2 FA Trophy win over Dagenham & Redbridge in 2004, and this was enough to get signed by the Daggers later that summer. Having scored 38 goals in two and a half seasons, Craig completed a transfer to Peterborough United. A successful four years followed at London Road, making 185 appearances and scoring 80 goals. His time at Posh came to an end, when he registered for Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion for £2.5 million in 2011. Having played regularly in the Championship for the Seagulls, he moved back on loan to Posh and joined Luton Town in 2015. He spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Stevenage but was a part of Wycombe Wanderers' successful promotion to the Championship. Having left Wycombe in the summer of 2020, he decided to return to the non-League scene and joined Bedford. Despite the disruption of the season due to COVID, Mackail-Smith went on to be a favourite within the dressing room and a leading figure to young Eagles coming through the ranks. He was involved with the summer soccer camps and also sessions with the youth. He scored 9 goals in his 58 appearances for the Eagles. Mackail-Smith also played internationally for Scotland, scoring once against Liechtenstein in his 7 appearances for the Scots. He also made his debut against Brazil! The club support Mackail-Smith in his decision to retire, understanding that the time is right for him to hang up his boots. He will continue to remain around the club, assisting with the Eagles in various roles and manager Paul Davis has made it clear he wishes for Mackail-Smith to still be a part of his set up, despite his decision to no longer take to the field.

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