Real Bedford Beat Leighton Town Reserves 4-1 to Reach County Cup Final

Match Report

19 Feb

Real Bedford reached their first cup final after winning convincingly against Leighton Town Reserves. Dan Walker put in a star performance, making two goals and scoring one, with a Tom Hitchcock brace and a customary Jordan Brown goal completing the scoreline.

Real Bedford arrived at Bell Close knowing a win would put them into their first cup final and put the home side under pressure from the whistle and were ahead within two minutes with a wonderfully worked goal. The prolific Jordan Brown gave Tom Hitchcock the opening chance, which he buried confidently into the bottom right-hand corner.

It was complete domination from The Pirates in the opening 25 minutes, with Leighton struggling to create chances, and on 24 minutes, Bedford doubled their lead. Dan Walker broke free and provided a perfect cross for Jordan Brown to slot home.

The Pirates continued to attack the Leighton Box with several balls breaking the backline but without adding to the scoreline. It took until the 36th minute for Leighton to create their first attempt of note, but Bedford maintained their lead.

Bedford continued to pursue a third goal with some great play between Hitchcock, Dan Walker and Andy Sinclair in the middle of the park, opening up chances for Jordan Brown, but he couldn't find the net for his second goal.

Second Half

Leighton came out of the tunnel, determined to get back into the game and were rewarded immediately with a goal. A very bobbly and awkward pass to Archie Culley was followed by some heavy Leighton pressure, which led to the ball being dispossessed, allowing Leighton to break free and get a goal back.

Another scrappy Leighton attempt came only a few minutes after their first goal, and they were keen to make the game level. However, with only 5 minutes gone in the second half, Bedford restored their two-goal lead. A great ball over the top from James Ducket found Dan Walker, who put another perfect cross into the box for Hitchcock to get his second of the game.

The game began to swing end to end as Leighton looked to get back into the game while The Pirates wanted to put it to bed, but as the half drew on, Bedford increased their dominance.

Rob Sinclair made three changes just after the hour mark, and not long after, Bedford had a three-goal lead. A poorly taken free-kick landed straight at the feet of Dan Walker, who smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Bedford continued to create chances while Leighton pushed for the odd opportunity on the break, but there were no more goals. The game ended a 4-1, with Real advancing to the final of the County Cup.

Bedford return to league action on Tuesday 21st Feb against Amersham Town, looking to maintain their lead at the top of the table. Come down and support the lads.

RBFC: McGregor, Gordon, Clifford, Culley (McGrath, 62’), Wood (C), J. Ducket (Uttride, 63’), Walker (R. Ducket, 71’), A. Sinclair, Hitchcock, Corbit, Brown (Owusu, 62’).

Unused Subs: S. Sinclair.