By Will Murray

Real Bedford moved three points clear at the top of the Southern League Division One Central table, beating Enfield FC 3-1 at The Ledger Stadium. Drew Richardson and Josh Setchell were the goalscorers for the Pirates on a rainy afternoon.

There were limited chances in the first 15 minutes, with the visitors maintaining a compact shape to frustrate the Pirates. The first real effort for Rob Sinclair’s side came in the 16th minute when Jack Morrell dragged a shot wide after some intricate passing in the middle.

Richardson opened the scoring two minutes later, striking a right-footed half-volley from the edge of the box past George Edgeworth after the original cross from the left wing was cleared by the away team.

Enfield then came close to responding in the 25th minute, when Joni Vukaj shot just wide with his left-foot.

After coming back into the game following Bedford’s opener, Enfield found themselves two goals behind in the 32nd minute. An unfortunate clearance from Edgeworth hit the defender Callum Taylor, leaving Setchell with the goal wide open to double the lead.

Both teams had notable chances before the break, with Ben Stevens and Isaac Galliford coming close for the hosts, while the visitors hit the crossbar after a scramble in the box from a corner.

Second Half

Six minutes after the interval, Enfield came close to halving the deficit through Rob Clark, who fired a right-footed shot from close range over the bar.

The Pirates instantly punished the visitors, though, with Setchell scoring his second of the afternoon two minutes later. Callum Nicolson’s deflected effort in the box found Setchell at the back post, who then slotted the ball past Edgeworth.

The hosts had chances to make it four, but Enfield got one back in the 67th minute – winning the ball high and eventually finding Kieran Southgate whose low shot found the bottom left corner.

Setchell came close to scoring his hat-trick and was denied by a couple of impressive saves by Edgeworth in the closing stages.

In the 85th minute, in-form Evans thought he had added his own for the Pirates, before the linesman called a very controversial offside for the striker.

The hosts held on for the three points, extending their lead at the top of the table to three points.

Next up for the Pirates is an away game against Biggleswade FC, who play not very far away, at the Eyrie.

After the match, Sinclair said:

“The pitch and the rain wasn’t really suitable to our style but I thought the boys, in terms of in possession, created multiple chances and could have won the game by a bigger scoreline. I’m really happy.”

The Pirates are next at home on Tuesday 25th February, facing Aylesbury United in the league. Tickets for the match are available here

RBFC: McGregor, Morrell, S.Ward, Soile, Richardson, Watkins, Stevens (Hitchcock 83’), Nicolson (T.Ward 90’), Galliford, Setchell, Evans.

Unused subs: Jones, Agemoh-Davies, Snelus

Real Bedford 3 - 1 Enfield
15th February, 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Ledger Stadium

HIGHLIGHTS