Real Bedford welcomed Kidlington to the The Ledger Stadium for the first meeting of the sides. The weather held out as the Pirates romped to a 5-1 victory, extending their lead at the top of the league to 4 points.

From the start, Bedford looked the dominant side, controlling possession and creating several half-chances within the opening ten minutes. In the 4th minute, they won their first corner, though Stevens’ delivery was slightly overhit, resulting in a goal kick.

In the 11th minute, Bedford found themselves breaking past Kidlington’s offside trap, but Kidlington’s Barnett cleared the danger. Kidlington responded with a chance of their own in the 22nd minute, when Taylor whipped a cross in from the left, but Robertson missed the chance to give the away side the lead as he couldn’t keep his effort on target.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute as Evans laid the ball off to captain Watkins, who blasted it past the Kidlington keeper, marking his second goal for the club this season. Bedford’s relentless pressure continued, and in the 35th minute, Stevens took a free kick on the edge of the box. Aiming for Jack Morrell, he missed, but the ball slipped past the keeper into the bottom right corner, putting Bedford 2-0 up.

Before the half-time whistle, Stevens sent in another corner, finding Morrell at the front post, who slotted it in to make it 3-0 and Bedford headed into the break in full control of the game.

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Second Half

Kidlington came back out looking to regain ground, but Bedford’s control persisted. Both sides defended well, but Bedford continued to look the more threatening team.

In the 65th minute, Kidlington managed a quick succession of chances, but McGregor was equal to the challenge, pulling off two impressive saves to deny the visitors. Bedford regained their momentum, and in the 76th minute, Stevens’ corner found Morrell at the back post, who headed it back across goal for Hitchcock to head home, extending Bedford’s lead to 4-0.

Morrell struck again in the 85th minute, as another pinpoint Stevens corner found him at the far post for a simple tap-in, securing a brace for the defender.

Kidlington managed a late response in the 87th minute when they caught Bedford on the break. Richardson’s challenge brought down Hollifield Meegan in the box, awarding Kidlington a penalty. Raposo converted from the spot, with McGregor guessing the right way but narrowly missing the save.

The match ended in a resounding 5-1 victory for Real Bedford, extending the Pirates lead at the top of the table.

The Pirates are next at home on Saturday 9th November, facing Biggleswade in the league. We will also be hosting a Bitcoin Meetup starting at 12.00. Tickets for the match are available here.

RBFC: McGregor, Morrell, S. Ward, Longden (Jones 35’), Richardson, Nicolson (Ty Ward 74’), Watkins, Stevens, Evans (Hitchcock 53’), Galliford (Agemoh-Davies 74’), Setchell (Knight 80’).

Real Bedford 5 - 1 Kidlington
2nd November, 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Ledger Stadium