Real Bedford Secure Three Points against Stansted
An Archie Jones goal early on in the game was enough to ensure the victory for The Pirates against a stubborn Stansted side.
Real Bedford headed to Stansted on Tuesday to replay the suspended fixture from earlier in the season. Stansted had led that game 2-0 at half-time, but the referee suspended the game after a floodlight failure.
Despite only scoring one goal, Real Bedford had many chances to score in the first half. Five minutes in, and The Pirates had their first chance. Mo Ahmed crossed the ball with the outside of his boot towards Joey Evans, who headed it at point-blank range into the hands of Stansted keeper Charlie Turner.
Not long after, Turner was called to action again as a Charlie Smith free-kick from just outside the area slipped past the wall. Good reflexes from Turner managed to keep it out, however. The chances continued to fall the visitors' way, and 5 minutes later, Mo Ahmed's quickly taken free-kick found Setchell out wide, who chased the ball down the by-line before cutting it back towards Evans and Jones, who both failed to get a touch on the ball to guide it home.
The goal would soon come. With Ben Stevens given too much time on the left flank, the midfielder found an inch-perfect pass to Evans; he flicked it on to Archie Jones, who slotted it home to continue his rich form in front of goal.
Stansted managed to create a good chance on goal late in the first half. Jardel Adeyinca found space and was clear through on goal, but his effort was marshalled well by McGregor, who came off his line to block the shot.
Second Half
The Pirates continued to dominate play in the second half, but the hosts frustrated attempts to score again. The second half's first chance came through a Mo Ahmed cross, which found Ben Stevens in the area. Turner saved his shot, and neither Setchell nor Evans could make good enough contact with the deflection to guide it into the net.
Stevens then released a shot from outside the area 15 minutes later, which again caused Turner to come alive and stop it from creeping in at his near post. Josh Setchell was set away soon after but couldn't find the target on a tight angle; his deflected shot fell to new signing Eniola Agemoh-Davies, who couldn't get the ball from underneath his feet quick enough on the rough playing surface.
There was a brief scare at the back late on for The Pirates. McGregor chasing out to stop a shot from Stansted's Scott Piggot, only for the ball to be deflected up in the air and bounce towards Real Bedford's goal. A cool head from Drew Richardson managed to prevent a crucial blunder as the defender cleared his lines with Stansted players hot on his heels.
Despite not being the most electrifying performance, Rob Sinclair's men managed to grind out the win. Real Bedford head to Leverstock Green on Saturday, looking to build another winning streak. The live stream for this game will be available for international fans and can be viewed here.
RBFC: McGregor, Wood (c), Burgess, Richardson, Watkins, Smith, Setchell (Corbit 88’), Jones, Stevens, Evans, Ahmed (Agemoh-Davies 72’)
Unused Subs: Knight, Hitchcock, J.Ducket
Stansted FC 0 - 1 Real Bedford
30th January, 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: Hargrave Park
