Bedford Win 2-1 Away at Burton Park to Maintain Their 100% Start to the Season
Real Bedford retained their place at the top of the after a gutsy 2-1 win in tough conditions. Another brace for stalwart striker Dan Walker kept the away teams 100% record.
Bedford gave their new away kit its first competitive game in sunny conditions in Burton Latimer, and it was a cagey opening as both teams used the opening 15 minutes to feel each other out. However, it didn't take long for Bedford to test the Burton defence after a beautiful ball from captain Luke Knight was played over the high Burton Park line, landing in striker Jordan Brown's path, who forced a good save from goalkeeper Harvey Bolland.
Burton Park responded, applying pressure to the Real Bedford back three, and it was the turn of Imad Abbasi to strike wide as both teams failed to break the deadlock. Burton continued to pressure the Bedford defence, and a deceitful run from winger Gavin Vella allowed him to enter the Bedford box, only to be stripped of possession with a strong tackle from Tom Wood. The landing caused significant injury to Vella, which halted the game for 10 minutes, with the Burton striker leaving the pitch on a stretcher. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Not long after, another teasing ball split the Burton Park defenders. A goal kick into the Bedford half from the Burton Keeper was headed back by Bedford captain Luke Knight over the Burton Defence. Dan Walker and Jordan Brown chased down the ball, but Walker reached the ball first, calmly, finding the bottom right corner to break the deadlock 36 minutes into the fixture.
And then, like London buses, Walker stepped up again. After healthy build-up play from Knight, McGrath and Ryan Cole on the wing, Andy Sinclair played a ball over the Burton Defence to Walker, who found himself surrounded by the black and blue attire of the home side. Walker shrugged off the defence and found the back of the net for his 6th goal of the season.
Second Half
As the breeze picked up, the second half was far shakier for the cameramen on the scaffold and the players on the pitch. Neither team could take control of the early second half, and the midfield battle dominated the game. However, as the second half crept on, Real Bedford's dominance grew, with their best chance of the half falling to Jordan Brown. Played through by Sinclair again, Brown glided past Bolland only for the defence to deny him the opportunity to get his shot away after excellent defending from Burton's Alex Greene. And not long after, it was De Ja Vu for Brown as he faced another 1-on-1 chance Vs Bolland who this time got the better of the striker and parried his chance away.
As the clock wound down, The cavalry soon arrived with Rob Sinclair utilising Hitchcock and Fisher from the bench alongside Jack Utteridge and James Ducket for their competitive debuts. Their task was to maintain Bedford's two-goal lead, and Bedford had further chances with Owusu and Walker, both testing keeper Bolland and the integrity of the crossbar, rattling it twice in the second half.
As the final whistle approached, the game became more fragmented, with tempers increasing on the pitch. However, it was Burton who would score next. Bedford failed to clear their lines which gave Burton a chance to feed a tempting ball over the top, which teenager Boyd Lyons managed to squeeze past McGregor to lead us into a nail-biting final few moments. Despite a tight end, Bedford held on until the final whistle and took all 3 points back down the A6.
Rob Sinclair’s team continue their campaign away against Letchworth Garden City Eagles on Tuesday 23rd August. This match will be available for international fans to stream live at 3.00pm BST.
RBFC: Brown (Hitchcock, 64), Clifford, Coyle (Uttridge, 64), R. Ducket (J. Ducket, 64), Knight, McGrath, McGregor, Owusu, Sinclair (Fisher, 76), Walker, Wood.
Match Highlights
Burton Park Wanderers 1 - 2 Real Bedford
Date: Saturday, August 20th
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Location: Latimer Park
