Late Setchell Goal Seals Bedford's FA Trophy Victory
Real Bedford earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Walthamstow in their FA Trophy opener, with Isaac Galliford scoring a stunning first-half goal and Josh Setchell securing the win with a late strike after a tense, end-to-end battle.
Real Bedford opened their FA Trophy campaign, travelling away to the home of Walthamstow, Wadham Lodge. The match kicked off with both teams displaying attacking intent, but Bedford looked the more dangerous in the early stages.
In the 10th minute, Walthamstow's Brian Moses-Songolo had the first major chance of the game, receiving a through ball, but his effort flew over the bar. Just three minutes later, Bedford responded with a shot on target from Josh Setchell, but Walthamstow's keeper, Lewis Greene, was equal to it, making a fine save.
Bedford’s breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Isaac Galliford unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box. His effort took a deflection and landed in the top left corner, leaving Greene with no chance and giving Bedford a 1-0 lead. Walthamstow struggled to respond initially, and Bedford’s Eddie Corbit narrowly missed doubling the lead in the 26th minute, volleying just wide.
Walthamstow fought their way back into the game and found an equaliser in the 33rd minute. After winning a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box, Te Wihongi’s strike beat Bedford’s goalkeeper Tyler McGregor at his near post to level the score at 1-1.
Second Half
The second half started with Walthamstow looking to take control, as Johnville Renee fired a shot just wide in the 46th minute. The Pirates almost regained the lead four minutes later when Josh Setchell found himself nearly one-on-one with the keeper, but a superb last-ditch tackle from Kevin Songolo denied him.
Walthamstow continued to push for a goal, but Bedford held firm despite some nervy moments. In the 58th minute, a misplaced pass from Bedford’s Kpohomouh gifted Walthamstow’s Kymani Thomas a chance, but his shot went just wide of the target. Walthamstow continued to pepper the Bedford goal, but none of their efforts found the back of the net.
As the match headed towards a tense conclusion, Josh Setchell came agonisingly close to putting Bedford back in front in the 86th minute. His low, driven shot struck the inside of the post but bounced back into the hands of Greene, leaving the Bedford fans wondering how it stayed out.
However, just two minutes later, Setchell wouldn’t be denied. In the 88th minute, he dribbled past several Walthamstow defenders inside the box and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper, giving Bedford a crucial 2-1 lead.
Bedford held on for the final moments of the match to secure the win in a hard-fought battle.
Real Bedford now face Leverstock Green on Saturday 14th September in the Southern League.
The Pirates are next at home on Saturday 28th September, facing Ware in the league. Tickets for the match are available here.
RBFC: McGregor, Morrell, Kpohomouh, T.Ward (Watkins 69’), Longden, Corbit (S.Ward 74’), Nicolson, Galliford (Richardson 90’), Stevens, Setchell, Evans.
Unused Subs: Knight, Hitchcock
Walthamstow 1 - 2 Real Bedford
7th September, 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Wadham Lodge
