A last-minute equaliser from Biggleswade Town took the game to penalties, with The Pirates losing out as Lewis Burgess saw his spot-kick go wide.

Away fans arrived at Real Bedford hoping to avenge their defeat in the league earlier in the season, and fans of both sides witnessed a thrilling cup tie at McMullen as Real Bedford and Biggleswade United battled for a place in the next round of the FA Vase.

The opening half followed a similar pattern to the previous meeting between the sides, where Real Bedford controlled possession, looking to pick holes in the Biggleswade defence while the visitors attempted to score on the break.

The opening goal came against the run of play when an error at the back from Tom Wood saw Jaiden Irish's pass slip through to Coree Wilson, who rounded McGregor and slotted the ball into the back of the net on the half-hour mark.

Bedford responded quickly to get back on level terms just before the break. After Harry Hurst's break down the left flank, the full-back found Lee Watkins, who foraged into the area before laying the ball off to Ben Stevens. The attacker took a touch and found the back of the net, adding to his recent tally of goals and levelling up proceedings heading into the second half.

Second Half

The Pirates came out the blocks well in the second half, and Biggleswade keeper Tom Wyant palmed away a headed chance from Ollie Swain before Bedford took a controversial lead. A Ben Stevens corner found Tom Wood in the area, and the captain's header was heading towards goal before being acrobatically cleared by a Biggleswade defender. The linesman, however, flagged that the ball crossed the line, and the goal was soon given, with Bedford taking the lead for the first time in the game.

Biggleswade came back into the game towards the end of the second half, pressuring for an equaliser, while The Pirates had a chance to double their advantage. A sweet strike from Joey Evans rattled the crossbar before a foul on Josh Setchell in the area gave Bedford a prime chance to seal the deal from the penalty spot. Charlie Smith stepped up, but Wyant saved the shot.

As Bedford looked to close the game, Biggleswade put the pressure at the other end of the field. With seconds to spare, a long ball from Wyant found Coree Wilson upfield, the striker bringing the ball down and firing it past McGregor to take the game to a penalty shootout.

With both teams scoring their first three penalties each, Biggleswade's Conor Inskip stepped up, but his shot was saved by Tyler McGregor, giving Bedford the advantage. With the next three penalties all scored, Charlie Smith had the chance to close out the shootout, but once again, Wyant chose to go the right way and palmed the ball away from goal. After successful penalties from Eddie Corbit and Lee Watkins, Lewis Burgess stepped up by firing his chance wide of the mark to give Biggleswade the win in heartbreaking fashion.

Real Bedford face Wellingborough Whitworth in a cup clash tonight before returning to league action against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos at McMullen Park this Saturday. Tickets are available here.

Unused Subs: Walsh, J.Ducket, A.Sinclair, Steele, Bozward

Real Bedford (6) 2 - 2 (7) Biggleswade United
11th November, 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: McMullen Park

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