Real Bedford pick up another victory on the road against Potton United
The Pirates secured a comfortable 3-0 win under the Tuesday night lights with a first-half brace from Ben Stevens and a late goal from Josh Setchell.
Like Saturday’s game with Arlesey, Bedford only took 10 minutes to find themselves on the scoresheet. Good work from Ben Stevens on the edge of the area allowed Joey Evans enough room to shoot. James Hoskins parried his effort but only as far as Stevens, who used superb footwork to round the keeper and slot the ball into the vacant net.
Ten minutes later, Bedford were in again. Good interplay between Harry Hurst and Joey Evans down the left flank gave the striker a chance to cut in towards goal and play the ball back to Stevens, who rolled it past the keeper to bag his second goal inside 20 minutes.
The Pirates continued to dominate proceedings, with their next best chance falling at the half-hour mark. Mo Ahmed played Josh Setchell through after a slaloming run from the midfielder. However, Setchell could not find the back of the net from a tight angle, and the ball fired across the face of the goal.
Late into the first half, Real Bedford got their last chance before the whistle. A solo run from Evans saw him dribble past defenders and get a shot away from the edge of the area as he tried to regain his balance. However, the effort was wayward, and the Pirates had to settle for a 2-goal advantage at the break.
Second Half
The Pirate's dominance in front of the goal continued, and ten minutes into the second period, a cross from Harry Hurst and a resultant shot from Ben Stevens forced James Hoskins to make acrobatic saves to deny the away side. Moments later, a charge into the area from Lee Watkins gave Josh Setchell space on the edge of the area, as Watkins dragged the ball back though Setchell's shot whistled over the bar.
However, his goal would soon come after an attack instigated on the right flank by Setchell found Stevens in the area. His hold-up play allowed for Setchell to charge towards the penalty spot. Stevens laid the ball off to his teammate, who struck it pure past Hoskins for the third goal of the evening.
With 10 minutes to go, the game was all but secured for Bedford. The last chance fell to Tom Hitchcock late on. The substitute connected with a Josh Setchell cross on the half volley, with his effort parried away by Hoskins in added time.
Real Bedford now set their sights on a massive weekend of Cup action, with the men's side facing Biggleswade on Saturday in the Isuzu FA Vase. You can buy tickets for the game here.
RBFC: McGregor, Corbit, Hurst (Walsh 90’), Knight © (Steele 32’), Swain, Smith, Setchell, Watkins (A.Sinclair 89’), Evans, Stevens, Ahmed (Hitchcock 82’)
Unused Subs: J.Ducket
Potton United 0 - 3 Real Bedford
7th November, 2023
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: Hutchinson Arena
