Bedford Open League Campaign with a 2-0 Win Against Hertford
Real Bedford began their Step 4 campaign with a 2-0 win over Hertford Town, thanks to two goals from Ben Stevens.
Photo Credit: Zak Martin Photography
Following back-to-back promotionsReal Bedford marked the start of their Step 4 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Hertford Town at the Ledger Stadium.
The sun was shining as both teams took to the pitch and Hertford Town, eager to make an early impact, had the first clear chance of the match. Bagge, after a clever one-two with Mahoney, found himself in a promising position. However, his touch around the Bedford goalkeeper was heavy, and the ball rolled out for a goal kick, squandering the opportunity.
Bedford responded swiftly and decisively. Just five minutes into the match, they took the lead through Ben Stevens. A well-worked move on the left flank left Stevens unmarked in the box, and he made no mistake, rifling a powerful shot into the top left corner to put the home side ahead. The early goal set the tone for Bedford, who continued to press forward, seeking to double their advantage.
Despite Bedford's dominance, Hertford remained a threat on the counter. Their best chance of the first half came when Bagge again found himself in a dangerous position, collecting the ball on the edge of the area. He surged into the box, only to be brought down by Brett Longden, earning Hertford a penalty. Bakkali stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Bedford’s goalkeeper McGregor was equal to the task, diving low to his right to make a crucial save—his second penalty save in as many games.
Second Half
The second half saw a similar pattern, with both teams battling hard in midfield but creating few clear-cut chances. Bedford, however, managed to extend their lead in the 54th minute. Stevens, once again, found space in the box and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, doubling his tally for the day and giving Bedford a comfortable cushion.
As the match wore on, Bedford had further opportunities to increase their lead. Stevens, in search of a hat-trick, attempted a lob over the Hertford goalkeeper, but his effort narrowly missed the target, landing just over the bar. Joey Evans also came close, but his shot drifted wide as the final whistle approached.
In the end, Bedford's solid performance earned them a well-deserved 2-0 victory, providing an ideal start to their Step 4 journey.
Real Bedford now face Barton Town away on Tuesday and then entertain Welwyn Garden City on Saturday at the Ledger Stadium. Tickets for the match are available here.
RBFC: McGregor, Morrell (Ward ‘75), Kpohomouh, Richardson, Longden, Watkins (Corbit ‘83), Nicolson (T Ward ‘83), Ahmed (Agemoh-Davies ‘18), Stevens, Setchell, Evans.
Unused Subs: Swain
Real Bedford 2 - 0 St Hertford Town
10th August, 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Legder Stadium
