Real Bedford put on a 6-goal thriller at McMullen Park to ensure a convincing win over the visiting Buckingham Athletic. With an aggregate score of 13-1 to the Pirates over the two league games, it’s clear Real has the Swans’ number, and these three points allow for momentum to continue for the Pirates as they sail into the tail end of the season 10 points clear at the top of the table.

The home side started in the ascendancy. Kevin Owusu was brought back into the starting 11 for Dan Walker, immediately causing headaches for the Buckingham defence. Good work from the winger, and Eddie Corbit forced a corner for Luke Knight to take on the 12-minute mark. A teasing delivery from the skipper found Curtis Hartley unoccupied in the area, allowing the defender to head the ball into the net for his first goal in Real Bedford colours. It was a superb set piece that proved the key to unlocking Buckingham's goal early in the game.

Real continued to pressure the Buckingham defence, with Andy Sinclair and Tom Hitchcock testing the goalie and a long-range effort from Eddie Corbit just curling wide. But it was another corner which caused more problems for Buckingham. A double save from Buckingham's Daley following another in-swinger from Knight kept both of Tom Hitchcock's efforts out. Still, the keeper couldn't stop a sliced volley from Kevin Owusu from finding the back of the net, as the winger netted a rebound from Tom Wood's strike in the area. The goal doubled Bedford's advantage, as they looked to be in complete control of the game.

Moments later, another Luke Knight corner delivered the goods, this time in a more unorthodox fashion. The skipper whipped the ball well near-post, which deflected off a Buckingham defender into his own goal. Knight took the plaudits, but the Buckingham blunder made it two goals in quick succession for Real Bedford.

Real had one more first-half goal in them, as just before the break, Bedford produced one of the game's best moves. Tom Hitchcock nabbed the ball in midfield, laying it off to Jordan Brown, who raced off down the wing before finding Eddie Corbit, who, on a charging run, delicately backheeled the ball into the path of Tom Hitchcock, who picked his spot in between Buckingham defenders to find the back of the net. It was some delicate interplay from the Pirates, who took a controlling lead heading into the half-time break.

Second Half

With a four-goal lead within the first 45 for the The Pirates, neither side had many chances within the second. With the game appearing wrapped up, Buckingham pushed hard to get back into the game. The away side seemed invigorated following the break and pressed hard up the pitch, forcing errors from the home side.

Despite Buckingham's hard work, Bedford looked most likely to score again, and Jordan Brown had the ball in the net 10 minutes into the second half, only to be wrongly ruled offside. The prolific striker wouldn't miss out on the scoring and finally found the back of the net towards the end of the half. A break from Claston Gordon down the wing saw him skip past one defender before putting a clever cross in front of the Buckingham defence for Brown to tap in at the back post, his 23rd goal of the campaign coming after the striker hadn't scored in league action in three weeks.

It was just like London buses for Brown, as he claimed his second of the evening with minutes left on the clock. The pass of the season from the outside of the boot of Archie Culley split the Buckingham Defence, finding Brown, who held off one defender before whipping a ball past the oncoming keeper. This sixth and final goal rounded off a sound performance for The Pirates, building on the win against Rugby Borough on the weekend.

Real Bedford competes at home again this Saturday 4th, against Holmer Green. Tickets are available on the club website, while those outside of the UK can follow the stream live.

RBFC: McGregor, Hartley (Gordon 57’), Clifford, Knight ©, Wood, J. Ducket, Owusu, A. Sinclair (Culley 70’), Hitchcock, Corbit (McGrath 84’), Brown

Unused Subs: R. Ducket, Walker