Real Bedford extend their winning streak to 11 at McMullen Park, beating last seasons title contenders Winslow United.

Real Bedford welcomed back Luke Knight and Tom Hitchcock as they sought to continue their 100% start to the season. Winslow pushed hard for promotion last season, only losing out to Shefford in the playoffs, and while they have had a tough start to the season, they still represent an attacking threat.

The away team came out of the blocks fast and dominated the opening 15 minutes of the game, with captain Aaron King causing problems for the Bedford midfield. Despite the early pressure, Winslow could not create any clear-cut opportunities, and Bedford took the lead against the run of play. Tom Hitchcock collected the ball in midfield and floated a ball to Jordan Brown over the Winslow defence, who took the ball down and unleashed a powerful shot past the oncoming Charlie Barnett and off the inside of the post.

Bedford nearly doubled their lead in the 23rd minute through Archie Culley. This time the provider, Brown, beat the Winslow defence and cut the ball square. Culley’s shot ricocheted off Jamie Robinson in the Winslow defence towards goal, but Barnett palmed the ball away to safety.

With Bedford taking control of the game, Winslow would score next, levelling the game, and all made by captain Aaron King. A long ball from inside the Winslow half was brought down well by King under the challenge of Uttridge; clean through on goal, the Winslow captain, showed composure to glide past the oncoming Matt Clifford and slot the ball past Bedford keeper Tyler McGregor.

Second Half

Bedford came out for the second half with more determination and dominated the half, not before a change to the officiating. One of the linesmen pulled up with an injury which led to a 15-minute delay as a replacement was found.

Once the game continued, Bedford quickly took the lead. Tom Hitchcock threaded the ball through to Jordan Brown, who broke free of the Winslow defence. Barnett saved his shot well, and it could have led to a Bedford corner, but Eddie Corbit kept the ball in play, cutting back to Kevin Owusu, who added to his collection of great goals by looping the ball into the right-hand corner of the goal.

Bedford were 3 - 1 up within six minutes, with Jordan Brown scoring his second of the game. Hitchcock collected the ball outside the Winslow defence, passing the ball to Corbit, whose first-time pass put Jordan Brown through, who slotted the ball under the onrushing keeper.

Winslow pushed hard to get back in the game, but Bedford put the result beyond doubt in the 78th minute, with Hitchcock scoring the goal of the game and Brown sealing his man-of-the-match performance by providing the cross. Again pivotal in the move, Corbit put brown clear on the right-hand side. Pushed wide, Brown looked out of space by the corner flag but managed to whip the ball into the box for Hitchcock to head past the Winslow keeper, wrapping up the game for the home team.

Bedford returns to McMullen Park on Saturday (15th October) to face Rugby Borough on the back of five wins.

RBFC: McGregor, R. Ducket (McLeod-Bentley, 79’), Owusu, J. Ducket, Uttridge, Clifford, Corbit (Murray, 86’), Knight ©, Brown, Hitchcock (McGrath, 90’), Culley (Sinclair, 88’).

Unused Substitutes: Wood.