Super Sub Hitchcock grabs last-minute winner at Colney Heath
Two goals at the death from Tom Hitchcock pulled Real Bedford from the jaws of defeat, beating Colney Heath away from home in torrid conditions.
Despite trailing for the majority of the match, Real Bedford were in control of proceedings from the first whistle. Ben Stevens got his first chance of the game 9 minutes in. Joey Evans nodded down a cross from Charlie Smith into the path of Stevens, who struck it straight at keeper Connor Sansom.
Bedford were soon back on the attack. A slaloming run from Josh Setchell allowed the winger to fire a wicked ball across the face of goal, with Evans inches away from tapping it home.
Moments later, Charlie Smith played a clever pass over to an open Ben Stevens, who wrapped the ball towards goal, forcing a good parry out of Sansom.
Despite The Pirates having the larger share of chances in the first half, the hosts scored just before the break. Catching Real in possession, Dixon Smith squared a chance to George Sippetts, who tucked it past McGregor for a surprising lead.
Second Half
Having taken the lead, and with the weather worsening, Colney Heath put all their men behind the ball and restricted Bedford's chances on goal early in the second half.
Archie Jones was handed a golden opportunity to level the match 70 minutes in. Jones hit a ball across the face of goal Evans over the bar from metres out, leaving the midfielder with his head in his hands.
The changes soon rolled in, with Eni Agemoh-Davies and Tom Hitchcock entering the freight for Bedford. Both were involved in the late equaliser. Agemoh-Davies charged down the left flank before squaring it to Hitchcock, who got enough on the ball to poke it past Samson for The Pirate's first goal of the night with 2 minutes of the 90 to go.
Colney Heath looked to regain their lead with the clock in the red. George Hughes smashing a free kick deep into Real's half. Richardson cleared, giving Evans a chance to counter. Alongside Setchell, Evans regained the ball deep in Colney Heath's half. With his first effort deflected, Evans then decided to curl a cross towards the back post, towards an awaiting Hitchcock, who headed it past Samson to give Real Bedford the lead with the game's final act.
The result keeps Real Bedford firmly in the title fight with another crucial league bout against Shefford on Saturday. Tickets are available here.
RBFC: McGregor, Corbit, Longden (Agemoh-Davies 73'), Wood ©, Richardson, Smith, Setchell, Watkins, Evans, Stevens, Jones (Hitchcock 80')
Unused Subs: Ducket, Burgess, Gordon
Colney Heath 1 - 2 Real Bedford
26th March, 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: The Recreation Ground
