Real Bedford Beat Stotfold to Go Top of the Table
Real Bedford secured a 2-0 victory over Stotfold at New Roker Park, with second-half goals from Joey Evans and Josh Setchell. The win puts Real Bedford at the top of the table, continuing their strong start to the season.
Photo Credit: www.aidanfotos.co.uk
Real Bedford Travelled to New Roker Park aiming to continue their strong start to the season, while Stotfold sought their first points of the campaign. The teams were facing each other for the first time since both teams competed in Step 6 three seasons ago. Stotfold won the league that year and then went on to win Step 5 the following season. Real Bedford mirrored these back-to-back promotions but achieved them a year later. .
With two games scheduled in three days over the bank holiday weekend, Real Bedford’s manager Rob Sinclair made several changes to the squad and tweaked the formation, keen to maximise points from the weekend. Stotfold, having not played on Saturday, came into the match with fresh legs and a point to prove.
The Pirates signalled their intent right from the kickoff, nearly taking the lead within the first minute. Shaheim Ward played a pinpoint ball into midfield, which was quickly redirected down the wing for Josh Setchell. Setchell broke free of the Stotfold defence and raced into the box, but Liam Gooch, the Stotfold goalkeeper, was quick off his line to smother the shot and keep the scores level.
Despite Bedford's dominance in possession, it was Stotfold who should have opened the scoring in the 13th minute. A deep cross into the box bounced around and finally found Joseph Sellers-West at the edge of the 6-yard box. He controlled the ball well before turning and unleashing a shot. However, it was straight at Bedford's keeper, Tyler McGregor, who made a comfortable save.
McGregor was called into action again in the 25th minute when Codi-Lee Spavins found space down the left. His low shot was well struck, but McGregor was equal to it, pushing the ball out for a corner.
Real Bedford continued to press, though they found it difficult to break down the Stotfold defence.
In the 34th minute, Joey Evans found himself in a promising position after a brilliant first-time, outside-of-the-boot through ball from Jack Morrell set him free. However, Evans was quickly closed down by two defenders, preventing him from getting a clear shot away. Soon after, a deep cross from the left found Setchell free at the far post, but once again, Gooch produced an excellent save to force a corner.
Just before halftime, Bedford had another golden opportunity to take the lead. A neat passage of play saw Richardson put through on goal via Stevens and Watkins, but his shot sailed just wide of the post. The teams went into the break with the scoreline locked at 0-0.
Second Half
Real Bedford came out in the second half with renewed energy, pressing hard for an opener. The breakthrough finally came five minutes into the half when Josh Setchell was brought down near the byline by Tommy Reynolds. Joey Evans stepped up to take the resulting penalty, calmly slotting the ball low to the left of the diving goalkeeper to give Real Bedford a 1-0 lead.
The Pirates doubled their lead in the 74th minute, this time Josh Setchell was the scorer. Following a corner, the ball was partially cleared but found its way back into the box. Setchell, with a small amount of space, unleashed a rocket of a shot into the top right-hand corner, leaving Gooch with no chance.
Despite Stotfold's efforts to find a way back into the match, Real Bedford's defence held firm. The match ended 2-0, with the Pirates securing another vital three points. This victory put Real Bedford at the top of the table early in the season, although the chasing pack has games in hand.
Real Bedford now face Walthamstow on Saturday 7th September in the FA Trophy.
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, Richardson, Longden, Watkins (Nicolson 83’), S. Ward, Galliford (Agemoh-Davies 86’), Stevens (Ward 90+2’), Setchell (Corbit 89’), Evans (Hitchcock 81’).
Stotfold 0 - 2 Real Bedford
26th August, 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: New Roker Park
