The Beds County Senior Trophy second-round clash between Flitwick Town and Real Bedford took place on Saturday 3rd of December, at Flitwick Football Centre, with Real Bedford booking their place in the quarter-finals after running out 3-0 winners.

(PLEASE NOTE: as this is a cup game it was not streamed).

A chilly day and a very bobbly pitch made it hard for both sides, and there was little opportunity for either team in the earlier periods of the game. Real Bedford looked the more likely to score, with Jim Burnside having the best chances with a long-range shot blocked and then another strong strike that went straight into the hands of the keeper.

Tyrelle McLeod-Bentley on the right wing caused no end of trouble for the Flitwick defence, continually getting past his man and sending crosses into the box, but Flitwick managed to keep the score at 0-0. Just before the half-hour mark, Flitwick had their best chance of the game as they pounced on a defensive mistake and some excellent play led to a shot on target from the edge of the box, but the shot was fired straight into the hands of Bedford Keeper Tyler McGregor.

Real Bedford dominated the midfield, with Ben McGrath performing well on his return to the starting lineup. McGrath, alongside Andy Sinclair and captain Luke Knight, controlled the game comfortably, providing Jim Burnside with further chances at goal. But it wasn't Burnside's day, as two more one-on-ones with the keeper didn't hit the target.

As the first half was winding up, Real Bedford continued to pepper the Flitwick keeper with Andy Sinclair breaking that stalemate. A cracking shot from the edge of the box ricocheted off the post and into the net.

Just a minute later and Bedford was back on the attack. After a strong Bedford shot was cleared by the keeper, a powerful strike from Burnside was saved by the hand of Flitwick's Martin Bryne, which saw the Flitwick captain sent off, and Luke Knight easily converted the awarded penalty.

Second Half

Three changes at halftime saw Kevin Owusu replaced by Jordan Brown, Matt Clifford on for James Ducket and Eddie Corbitt on for Luke Knight, with Jack Utteridge taking the captain's armband. Burnside continued to cause problems for Flitwick's defence, getting in great positions, but Dan Walker eventually replaced him without netting his much-wanted goal.

Claston Gordon also replaced Tom Hitchcock on the hour mark, and Walker and Gordon brought new energy to the side, further harassing tiring Flitwick. However, it was Jordan Brown who would add the final goal of the day with a superb solo effort, swerving between two defenders and firing home a low hard shot from a tight angle on the left side of the box into the bottom right-hand corner.

A big thanks to Flitwick and their excellent support. They gave the travelling Bedford a tough day.

Real Bedford will now meet AFC Caddington S&S First in the quarterfinal.

RBFC: McGregor, McLeod-Bentley, Owusu (Brown), Ducket, Uttridge, Ducket (Clifford), McGrath, Knight © (Corbit), Burnside (Walker), Hitchcock (Gordon), Sinclair.