Stevens scores HALF-WAY LINE screamer in dominant away win
By Will Murray
Real Bedford secured their third consecutive league victory, beating Biggleswade FC 4-0 at The Eyrie. Joey Evans, Ben Stevens, Josh Setchell and Tom Hitchcock scored the goals for the Pirates to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Southern League Division One Central table.
Both teams had chances in the early stages, with Evans poking Isaac Galliford’s cross just wide and Adam Hunt also came close for the hosts - firing over a right-footed shot after receiving the ball from Daniel Bond.
Evans got on the scoresheet in the ninth minute, tucking the ball past Jasper Briggs after making an impressive save to deny Setchell from close range.
The Pirates’ number nine caused problems for Biggleswade throughout the afternoon and nearly doubled his tally three minutes later – heading over a lofted Galliford cross.
Despite their one-goal advantage, the away team struggled for fluency in the first half. Jack Morrell had a long-range effort saved in the 38th minute and Biggleswade had a late flurry of chances before the break, but ultimately both teams were unable to find the net in the closing stages of the first-half.
Second Half
Rob Sinclair’s side doubled their lead two minutes after the interval, courtesy of a goal-of-the-season contender from Stevens. He picked the ball up just past the halfway line, spotted Briggs off his line and perfectly struck a right-footed effort into the middle of the net past the Biggleswade shot-stopper.
The hosts looked to find a way back into the game, with Rafal Wielblad and Dan Carey-Evans both having presentable opportunities.
Despite this, the Pirates defended well and asserted their superiority in the 71st minute when Setchell fired the ball past Briggs after receiving a perfectly weighted pass from Shaheim Ward.
In the 87th minute, Jack Snelus replaced Joey Evans, after several months on the sideline after getting injured in his first game for the Pirates back in August.
The Pirates’ lively number seven turned provider in the 89th minute, cutting the ball back to Hitchcock inside the box, who tucked it home with his left foot to add a fourth.
After the match, Sinclair said:
“First half we didn’t really move the ball well enough, so we addressed that at half-time and in the second half we blew them away. The football in the second half was sensational and the goals were well deserved.”
The Pirates are next at home on Tuesday 25th February hosting Aylesbury United in the league. Tickets for the match are available here.
RBFC: McGregor, Morrell, S.Ward, T.Ward, Richardson, Nicolson, Watkins (Hitchcock 82’), Galliford (Agemoh-Davies 79’), Evans (Snelus 87’), Setchell (Knight 90’), Stevens.
Unused subs: Soile
Biggleswade FC 0 - 4 Real Bedford
22nd February 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: The Eyrie
