Real Bedford Progress Through The FA Vase After Gutsy Victory over Flackwell Heath
The Pirates scored two goals courtesy of Joey Evans in the first half, with a clinical defensive display in the second, denying Flackwell the chance to get themselves back into the game at McMullen Park.
Bedford opened the game positively but were hit with an early setback. A seemingly innocuous challenge on Archie Jones in the opening minutes saw him land awkwardly, forcing the midfielder to leave the field, with Ben Stevens replacing him.
Flackwell Heath came into the game unbeaten in the league, dropping only two points so far this season, so it was important for The Pirates to set the early pace, and a goal after 10 minutes settled any nerves from the home side. Strong work down the left flank from Mo Ahmed saw Bedford awarded a corner. The ball floated in by Josh Setchell found the head of Ollie Swain, who flicked it on towards Joey Evans at the back post, who toe-poked it home for his first goal of the game.
While Bedford controlled possession, the second half was dominated by the battles in midfield, with both teams cancelling each other out in the final third. Flackwell Heath had a good chance on the 30-minute mark, with Jethro Odumuso skipping past the Real Bedford defence and getting a shot on goal, which McGregor collected comfortably.
As half-time approached, Bedford managed to double their lead. A quick-thinking clearance from Eddie Corbit fell to Ben Stevens, who put Joey Evans through with a teasing ball. The striker controlled it well and dinked it over the keeper to bag a brace in fine fashion and double Bedford's lead heading into the break.
Second Half
Flackwell Heath came out the blocks well in the second period, knowing they would have to score two goals to force the game to penalties. It was Bedford, though, who got the first real chance of the half. Mo Ahmed picked the ball up in midfield and passed to Joey Evans, who knocked the ball towards Ben Stevens on the right flank, who, in open space, pressed towards the box, forcing a goal-line clearance from Flackwell defender Jamie Essex.
Flackwell then picked up their best chance of the game moments later. A counter-attack sparked by Ryan Avery allowed Odumuso to pick the ball up in the area, gliding past players before getting a shot away, denied only by the outstretched leg of Tyler McGregor.
Flackwell produced a similar chance 10 minutes later from the left flank. Phil Pryor's low-driven cross missed Flackwell and Real Bedford players in the area before falling to Harrison Mepham at the back post, whose shot deflected away off McGregor, who was again in superb form in goal.
Flackwell pushed hard to get a goal back and took control of the midfield midway through the second half, but the Pirates' defence thwarted wave after wave of attack.
Bedford had several chances to extend their lead later in the game. Substitute Tom Hitchcock forced a save out of Cairo Richards at his near post after being put through by Ben Stevens. Hitchcock then missed out moments later as he failed to connect with a perfect cross from Eddie Corbit with the goal beckoning. Joey Evans also had chances to complete his hat-trick, twice being put through one-on-one, but he was unable to test the goalkeeper.
Real closed out the game 2-0 and now faces the exciting prospect of playing MK Irish for the third time this season in the next round.
Real Bedford return to league action on Saturday to face London Lions on the road. The live stream will be available for international fans here.
RBFC: McGregor, Corbit, Clifford, Wood (c), Swain, Smith (Knight 90’), Setchell, Watkins, Evans, Jones (Stevens 3’), Ahmed (Hitchcock 87’)
Unused Subs: Gordon, Burgess, J.Ducket, Bozward
Real Bedford 2 - 0 Flackwell Heath
23rd September, 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: McMullen Park
