Real Bedford reach 100 points with AFC Dunstable victory
By Will Murray
Real Bedford reached 100 league points with a game to spare, beating AFC Dunstable 3-1 at the Ledger Stadium, while also being presented with the League Trophy. Ben Stevens, Eniola Agemoh-Davies and Joey Evans scored the goals for the Pirates in their 15th home win of the league campaign.
The first half was a tactical affair, with the away side enjoying large spells of possession in the early stages. Evans had the first chance of the game in the 15th minute, shooting just wide after being sent through by Drew Richardson.
The visitors had chances to put themselves in front, but Tyler McGregor was on hand to make several important stops.
Evans and Archie Jones had half chances to score the opener just before the break, but they were both unable to find the target.
Second Half
The Pirates improved after the interval, coming close through Stevens in the 49th minute when his right-footed strike forced the goalkeeper to make an impressive one-handed save.
He wasn’t to be denied again, though, scoring four minutes later. Stevens received a short corner from Isaac Galliford before curling an effort from the edge of the box into the far corner.
The Pirates looked to double their lead shortly after Stevens’ opener, with Josh Setchell shooting straight at the goalkeeper just before the hour mark after receiving a perfectly weighted diagonal ball from Richardson.
The OD’s continued to cause problems, though, and were level in the 66th minute via Sean Duodu. He received the ball inside the box after some sharp passing play and tucked it home into the bottom corner.
Rob Sinclair made a pair of changes in the 69th and 70th minutes, respectively, including Agemoh-Davies, who replaced Galliford. After Dunstable spurned a couple of opportunities and McGregor pulled off an impressive stop from a free-kick, the left-back put the Pirates ahead with four minutes to play.
A Stevens cross was partially cleared to Agemoh-Davies, who took it past a few Dunstable defenders and eventually poked the ball home with his right foot.
The third came quickly after, with Evans putting the game beyond the visitors in the 88th minute. After some sharp attacking play between Setchell and Stevens, the number nine received a perfect cross from Stevens and tucked it away to secure the three points.
After the match, Sinclair said:
“The boys all season, have been sensational and to get over 100 points is pretty remarkable. They should be proud of what they’ve achieved and hopefully we can go and get another three points on Saturday.”
The Pirates play their final league game of the season on Saturday at Thame United. A win will see us finish on a tally of 104 points.
McGregor, Morrell, S. Ward, Longden, Richardson (Nicolson 70’), Watkins, Jones (Hitchcock 82’), Galliford (Agemoh-Davies 69’), Stevens, Setchell, Evans.
Unused subs: T. Ward, Soile.
Real Bedford 3 - 1 AFC Dunstable
21st April 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: The Ledger Stadium
