Real Bedford Beat Aylesbury Vale Dynamos to Advance to the Next Round of the Gladwish Trophy

Match Report

31 Oct

Real Bedford had a chance to test themselves against Step 5 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in the Gladwish Trophy this weekend, and a 1-0 away win demonstrated the team's progress under Rob Sinclair.

Please note that we are not streaming cup games; therefore, no highlights are available for this match.

Real Bedford arrived in Aylesbury on Saturday afternoon, hoping to continue their league form against higher-level opposition. While Aylesbury sits in the bottom half of the Spartan League Premier Division, they proved to be a tricky opponent.

Bedford were missing several players to injury and illness, only able to field three substitutes. Jordan Brown rested on the bench while Tom Hitchcock, Matt Clifford and Kevin Owusu returned to the starting lineup.

Bedford dominated the first half and would have been disappointed to only lead by one goal at the half-time break. Yet while Bedford held most of the possession, Aylesbury were a threat, especially down the left wing, creating several problems for the Bedford defence without creating many clear chances.

Bedford took the lead after 12 minutes, which proved to be the game's deciding moment. Claston Gordon followed his excellent match against Moulton with another stand-out performance and made the opening goal for Tom Hitchcock. Breaking through the Aylesbury defence on the right, he squared the ball to Hitchy, who added to his tally for the season with a calm finish into the bottom right-hand corner.

The Pirates should have doubled their lead with an almost identical move at the midway point of the half, but this time Hitchcock's shot went over the bar. Jim Burnside will also have been disappointed not to have made it 2 - 0, latching onto a Dan Walker cross only to see his header go just wide.

Second Half

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Bedford dominating possession and Aylesbury threatening to equalise on the break.

Dan Walker imposed himself more on the game after the break and nearly made it 2 - 0. Beating the Dynamos defence on the left, he cut in and let fly with a wicked shot, which curled past the goalie, coming back off the post.

As the game ticked on, Ayslebury came more into the game and threatened to equalise several times. Still, Tyler McGregor put in a man-of-the-match performance, adding more impressive saves to his ever-growing collection.

Chances fell to both teams in the final five minutes. Firstly, Bedford nearly killed the game off when Jordan Brown broke free of the defence, but his shot over the goalkeeper was cleared as it raced towards the line. Aylesbury also had the chance to equalise in the last minute, but with the goal glaring shot wide.

Bedford held on through a nervy injury time to knock out the Step 5 side and head into the draw for the next round.

The Pirates return to McMullen Park on Saturday 5th November against Raunds Town. Come and support the team as they continue their league campaign.

RBFC: McGregor, Gordon, Owusu (McLeod-Bentley, 82’), Ducket, Uttridge, Clifford, Corbit, Knight ©, Walker, Hitchcock, Burnside (Brown, 69’).

Unused Subs: Ayre