Real Bedford Produce Cup Win Over COckfosters
The Pirates fought off Cockfosters for the second game running as they progressed into the next round of the Gladwish Challenge Trophy.
A goal either side of halftime from Joey Evans was enough to grind out the win under the Tuesday Night Lights at McMullen Park with the pitch limiting both teams’ chances to play on-the-floor football.
In a similar fashion to the league game just 10 days previous, Cockfosters proved a challenge for Rob Sinclair’s men. With a strong defensive acumen from both sides, neither team managed to make a credible threat towards goal in the opening 20 minutes. Long-range efforts from both Josh Setchell and Ethan Rockard were no trouble for either keeper who collected the limited chances comfortably.
However, the home side managed to break the deadlock 23 minutes in. After some good interplay on the edge of the area, Joey Evans made a forage into the box and was brought down by a Cockfosters defender leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. The striker was handed the ball and dispatched the penalty, sending Charlie Mann the wrong way and giving Bedford the lead.
Just before the break, however, Cockfosters struck back. Ethan Rockard with a long floated ball from the left flank found Cory Ugbomah at the back post, the winger smashed the ball past McGregor on the full volley, into the roof of the net to put the visitors back level with seconds left of the first half.
Second Half
These two sides seemed to continue to cancel each other out, as the chances to go ahead were few and far between. Ben Stevens managed to test Charlie Mann from distance around the half-hour mark, the goalkeeper managing to parry the low-driven shot towards his own defenders. But Evans was on hand to put Rob Sinclair’s men back in front 10 minutes later.
After a well-drilled short corner routine, the ball fell to Josh Setchell on the left wing, who delivered a floated cross into Evans, who with his back to goal, managed to flick the ball over Charlie Mann with his head and loop it into the top right, a brilliant finish to catapult The Pirates back into the lead.
Cockfosters were once again in need of a last-minute goal at McMullen Park and nearly got their wish with minutes to spare. Reece Barrett’s free-kick from the left flank was floated in towards fellow substitute Ollie Finch, who managed to head the ball cleanly but just off-target. Allowing Bedford to grind out the final few minutes to secure a win in 2024 at the first time of asking.
RBFC: McGregor, Corbit (Gordon 88’), Swain (Wood 45’), Knight, J.Ducket, Smith, Watkins, Jones, Stevens (Ahmed 78’), Setchell, Evans
Unused Subs: Walsh, Richardson
Real Bedford 2 - 1 Cockfosters
6th January, 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: McMullen Park
