Real Bedford Advance in the Trophy with Dominant 4-0 Victory Over Leighton Town
Real Bedford dominated from start to finish, defeating Leighton Town 4-0 at Ledger Stadium to advance in the FA Trophy. Ben Stevens' stunning halfway-line effort and goals from Setchell, Evans and Agemoh-Davies capped off a one-sided game.
The game began at a steady pace, with neither side able to create much in the opening 10 minutes with the first notable opportunity fell to Leighton Town’s Charlie Pattison in the 12th minute, but his shot drifted wide, failing to trouble the Bedford goalkeeper.
From that moment on, Real Bedford took control, dominating possession and pinning Leighton back into their own half. The pressure began to mount, with Bedford winning a series of corners in the 23rd minute, though Leighton’s defence stood firm. Bedford, however, looked increasingly dangerous, and the home fans could sense a breakthrough coming.
In the 32nd minute, Real Bedford's persistence paid off. Ben Stevens, lively down the left wing, did brilliantly to cut inside before squaring the ball to Josh Setchell, who made no mistake, blasting it past the Leighton goalkeeper to give Bedford a well-deserved 1-0 lead. Bedford continued to press for a second before the break but went into halftime with a slender, but comfortable, 1-0 lead.
Second Half
Real Bedford came out after the break determined to build on their lead. The home side continued to dominate, barely allowing Leighton Town a touch as they kept control of possession. Despite their dominance, the nerves around Ledger Stadium were palpable, as Bedford searched for a second goal to put the game to bed.
That moment of magic came in the 66th minute when Ben Stevens produced a moment of brilliance. Picking up the ball on the halfway line, Stevens spotted the Leighton keeper off his line and unleashed an audacious shot from distance, lobbing the goalkeeper in stunning fashion to make it 2-0. The stadium erupted as Bedford extended their lead in spectacular style.
With their confidence soaring, Bedford pressed forward. In the 70th minute, Josh Setchell, once again involved, dribbled down the right-hand side before delivering a pinpoint cross to Joey Evans, who made no mistake with a simple tap-in at the near post to put Bedford 3-0 up.
The Pirates made a change in the 77th minute, introducing Eniola Agemoh-Davies off the bench to add fresh legs to an already dominant performance. Leighton’s next real chance of the game came in the 79th minute, but Lynton’s header sailed harmlessly over the bar, leaving Bedford's clean sheet intact.
As the game wound down, Bedford added a fourth in the 88th minute. After a scrappy series of failed clearances from the Leighton defence, the ball fell to substitute Agemoh-Davies, who smashed it past the goalkeeper to make it 4-0, capping off a perfect cameo.
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, S. Ward, Longden, Watkins, Corbit (Richardson 66’), T. Ward (Nicolson 66’), Galliford (Agemoh-Davies 77’), Stevens, Setchell (Knight 84’), Evans (Hitchcock 73’).
Real Bedford 4 - 0 Leighton Town
20th September, 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: Ledger Stadium
