Real Bedford extend their lead at the top of the league
The Pirates overcame an Aylesbury fightback to extend their lead at the top of the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division by 2 points
The away side came out the blocks well determined to inflict a home defeat and created the first clear-cut chance of the afternoon. Fabian Garcia threaded a ball through to Jake Baldwin, which Lewis Burgess blocked but only as far as Garci. With only the goalkeeper to beat, he stabbed his shot towards goal, but McGregor got down well to trap the ball.
It would take another 30 minutes before Bedford got their first real chance at goal after a low-block Aylesbury defence nullified relentless attacking pressure. However, The Pirates broke the seal just before the break. Patient build-up play by The Pirates allowed Josh Setchell to cross. The ball deflected off an Aylesbury defender, only for Drew Richardson to head it back into the path of Setchell, and the winger threaded the ball through to Lee Watkins, who fired the ball across goal, with Richardson providing a delicate touch at the front post to help it on towards Tom Hitchcock. The striker then buried his chance on the turn to open the scoring at McMullen Park.
Moments later, Bedford was in again. Superb one-touch interplay between Corbit, Setchell and Richardson found Ben Stevens in space. The attacker pulled it back to Setchell in the box, who buried it in the bottom corner to double The Pirates’ lead inside 2 minutes.
Aylesbury refused to go down without a fight and pulled themselves back into the game on the stroke of halftime. After a corner from the away side came to nothing, Abu Khan’s chance was blocked by Joe Steele, but the ball fell to Martin Lancaster on the edge of the area, who fired it home straight past McGregor at some pace to half the deficit heading into the break.
Second Half
Continuing their momentum at the end of the first half, Aylesbury Vale struck early in the second period. Quick thinking on the counter from Tom Cove set Jake Baldwin down the left flank. His cross into the area found an unmarked Abu Khan, who chipped the ball over McGregor to level proceedings.
The Pirates needed something special to retain the lead, and it came from youngster Harry Hurst. He picked up the ball in a crowded area on the edge of the box and managed to curl a shot past Aylesbury defenders, dipping down in front of Charlie Jones’ goal, glancing off the bar and into the back of the net. It was a fine way to score your first goal in Real Bedford colours, as the home side found themselves back in front.
It was then that Aylesbury started to tire, and Bedford turned the screw. Eddie Corbit picked up on a loose ball midfield and fired it towards Hitchcock. The striker flicked it in behind to Ben Stevens, who cooly converted his one-on-one chance against Jones to add to his recent goal tally.
Hitchcock bagged his brace with 10 minutes to go. Josh Setchell raced down the right flank before releasing a hard low cross, which Jones palmed into the path of the awaiting Hitchcock, who smashed the ball into the back of the vacant net.
With moments to go, Setchell nearly made it six but for a great save and the bar. Cutting in from the right, the winger unleashed a vicious shot, which Jones tipped onto the underside of the bar.
Real Bedford now host Baldock Town on Saturday in a bid to maintain their lead at the top of the league table.
RBFC: McGregor, Corbit, Burgess (Walsh 79’), Wood ©, Steele (Swain 50’), Richardson, Setchell (A.Sinclair 91’), Watkins, Hitchcock, Stevens, Hurst
Unused Subs: J.Ducket, Ahmed
Real Bedford 5 - 2 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos
18th November, 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: McMullen Park
