Real Tick off Another Win Putting Five past Rushden & Higham United

Match Report

22 Mar

Real Bedford recorded a resounding win over Rushden & Higham, putting five past the home side as they continue their perfect form on the road.

Goals from Ben McGrath, Kevin Owusu, Ben Fitzjohn and a Tom Hitchcock brace allowed Rob Sinclair’s men to bring all three points back to McMullen Park.

It was clear from the off that Real Bedford would dominate the game, with the first chance coming after just 7 minutes. A teasing ball from James Ducket was punched away by the keeper but only as far as an awaiting Tom Hitchcock, whose header was just wide of the empty net.

It wasn’t long before Bedford drew first blood with Fitzjohn, in a match of the match performance, as instigator. Collecting the ball from Matt Clifford, he played a first-time ball over the defence towards Eddie Corbit, who swung in a lovely cross from the edge of the area towards Ben McGrath, who came striding forward from midfield, heading the ball into the top right corner.

Real Bedford was back up that end of the pitch a few minutes later to double their lead. Dan Walker made a mazy run on the right and found space to put in a vicious cross which Tom Hitchcock met low, placing the ball into the back of the net.

Dan Walker then found himself in an almost identical position moments after; this time, he decided to go for goal himself, but the ball raced across the face of the goal, going just wide.

Despite dominating the first half, The Pirates failed to find a third goal before heading in for the break.

Second Half

The second half played out much like the first, with Real applying constant pressure to the Rushden goal but unable to find the net. Hitchcock, Walker, and Corbit all had chances, but good saves from the Rushden goalkeeper and off-target shots kept the score at 2-0 until late in the game.

It was Hitchcock who did find the goal for his second in the 78th minute. Receiving the ball at his feet in the area, the experienced striker turned well and found the back of the net in style, firmly putting the Pirates in the driving seat as Rushden struggled to provide any threat.

Moments later and it was Real Bedford with a 4th. A ball from Ben Fitzjohn out wide was headed away by Rushden defenders, but only as far as an awaiting Kevin Owusu, who struck it sweetly on the volley with his first touch of the game, the replacement making an immediate impact as the ball bounced into the net.

The final goal was to come from Fitzjohn, a worthy first goal for the winger who had created many chances throughout the 90 minutes. As the clock dipped into the red, James Ducket decided to have a go at goal from just outside the area, his chance parried by the keeper and into the path of Tom Hitchcock, who somehow denied it from crossing the whitewash, thankfully Fitzjohn was there at the back post to control possession and slam the ball into the empty net for the icing on the cake goal Rob Sinclair’s men were asking for.

The result provides significant momentum as Real Bedford head into another tough clash against Northampton Sileby Rangers on Tuesday, 22nd Match away from home. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a stream for the game, but please come and support your Pirates at the ground.

RBFC: McGregor, Burgess, Clifford, Knight ©, Wood, J. Ducket, McGrath (Owusu, 78’), FitzJohn, Hitchcock, Corbit, Walker (Gordon, 74’).

Unused Subs: R. Ducket, Culley, Uttridge.