Archie Jones stars as The Pirates put five past Dunstable Town
A first-half brace from Archie Jones helped Real Bedford beat Dunstable Town at McMullen Park this weekend. Having conceded a late equaliser in the reverse fixture at the start of the month, Rob Sinclair’s men put the score beyond doubt with a three-goal lead by half-time.
Despite the hefty win, it did take 30 minutes for The Pirates to break down a stubborn Dunstable defence. Good interplay between Charlie Smith, Ben Stevens, and Archie Jones left the latter with a half-gap to turn into. The ball fortuitously bounced into the path of Jones in the area, allowing him to slot the ball past the keeper and take an all-important lead for the home side.
Ten minutes later, Bedford were in again. Eni Agemoh-Davies drove off the right flank into the area, cutting the ball back to Ben Stevens. Dunstable managed to get to it before Bedford’s number 10, deflecting it into the path of Lee Watkins. The midfielder struck the ball towards goal from just outside the area, ricocheting off Sam Scott in the Dunstable area before falling onto the head of Joey Evans, who tapped it home for his 38th goal of the season.
With Bedford in the ascendency, they bagged another before the break. This time, another one-two between Archie Jones and Ben Stevens opened the door to the Dunstable defence, putting Jones in behind to slot into the bottom right on a tight angle.
Second Half
The Pirates didn’t take long to regain their goal-scoring mojo in the second half. Brett Longden, Charlie Smith, and Archie Jones were involved in a clean passing triangle that set up space for Ben Stevens down the left wing. A threaded ball from Jones found Stevens, who whipped in a dangerous cross. The ball was met in the area by the trailing foot of Tolu Ikunyinimu, who tapped it into his own net, extending the home side’s advantage.
On the hour mark, more impeccable passing from Stevens, Jones and Smith turned Dunstable inside out. The end product, however, only forced a corner out of the visitors as Sean Locke-Hart parried away Smith’s effort at goal on a tight angle.
Dunstable Town soon got their consolation goal up the other end of the field. Harry Beaumont whipped in a chance off a corner, with Alfie Osbourne rising highest in the Bedford box. The Dunstable skipper headed it past McGregor off the underside of the bar and over the line for Dunstable’s only goal of the game.
Rob Sinclair’s men had an instantaneous response. Quick thinking from The Pirates allowed Lee Watkins to put Eddie Corbit into space on the right wing; his cutback cross caused an issue for Dunstable, who failed to clear it. The ball instead fell to Ben Stevens, who caressed it home. It was a well-deserved moment, considering his efforts in the previous goals.
The Pirates now play their penultimate away match against Colney Heath on Tuesday night before returning to McMullen Park on Saturday to face Shefford Town & Campton. Tickets are available here.
RBFC: McGregor, Agemoh-Davies (Burgess), Longden (Corbit), Wood ©, Richardson, Smith, Setchell (Gordon), Watkins (Hitchcock), Evans, Stevens, Jones
Unused Subs: Ducket
Real Bedford 5 - 1 Dunstable Town
23rd March, 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: McMullen Park
