Real Bedford clinch League title after win against London Lions
The Pirates made history at McMullen Park on Tuesday night, earning back-to-back promotions thanks to goals from Ben Stevens and Luke Knight, while MK Irish were held to a 0-0 at Cockfosters.
The first half failed to provide goals for the home side as Bedford looked for the three points to close out the title race. Josh Setchell had the first chance to open the scoring after a Mo Ahmed cross found him in open space. Setchell failed to convert, smashing the ball against the side netting. After this, the chances were few and far between for The Pirates as fans feared another goalless affair on the horizon at McMullen Park.
Second Half
The second 45 started with a lot more spark. Real Bedford manipulated the midfield well to award Ben Stevens an early chance. However, his shot was fired straight at the goalkeeper.
Moments later, Stevens had a chance to redeem himself. After some impressive work from Josh Setchell on the wing, he escaped the clutch Benji Weinberger and raced down the by-line, cutting a perfect ball back in towards Stevens, who took a touch before finding the smallest of gaps to nestle the ball into.
With MK Irish drawing with Cockfosters at the time, Bedford were aware that if results stayed as is, then the title would be theirs. However, Rob Sinclair’s men wanted to cement their victory with another goal.
It didn’t take long, either. Mo Ahmed used some incredible footwork to get past Adam Lipman, only for the London Lions defender to rugby tackle Ahmed to the ground, leaving the referee little choice but to point to the spot. Luke Knight stepped up for his second penalty in as many matches, and unlike Saturday, this time, the skipper found the back of the net to double Real’s advantage.
Joey Evans was then close to making it three as the ball bobbled up in front of him metres out, but good defending from London Lions deflected the chance out for a corner.
As the final whistle came, Bedford knew they had done all they could and soon turned to their phones, awaiting a confirmed 0-0 result from the MK Irish match. As word spread around McMullen Park of the draw in North London, fireworks filled Bedfordshire skies as Real Bedford celebrated their second championship in as many years.
The season isn’t over there. The Pirates face Sawbridgeworth Town in their final league match on Saturday before travelling to Colney Heath to play Cockfosters in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Cup on Wednesday.
RBFC: McGregor, Longden, Richardson, Wood, Smith (Corbit 75’), Knight, Watkins, Setchell (Gordon 89’), Ahmed (Agemoh-Davies 86’), Stevens (Hitchcock 88’), Evans
Unused Subs: Ducket
Real Bedford 2 - 0 London Lions
16th April, 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: McMullen Park
