Real Bedford increased their lead at the top of the table to 15 points after winning an eventful tie away at Wellingborough Whitworth.

Reduce to Ten men five minutes before halftime and a goal down with less than 20 minutes to go, The Pirates showed character to turn the game around and bring all the points back to McMullen Park.

With most games in non-league football postponed due to frozen pitches, Real Bedford arrived at Wellingborough Whitworth looking to extend their lead at the top of the league heading into the season's halfway point.

Real immediately put the home side under pressure and should have been in front within five minutes. A long through ball from James Ducket bounced off the head of Wellingborough defender Nathan Heycock into the path of Burnside, but with only the keeper to beat, Burnside put the ball just wide.

While Wellingborough are sat at the bottom of the Spartan Division One, they were not going to give the league leaders an easy time and scored the game's first goal in the 7th minute. Remy Britian broke free down the right-hand side and cut the ball to Cairo Taylor just inside the box, who shot under Tyler McGregor from a tight angle.

Real were back level just after the half-hour mark. Luke Knight whipped a free-kick into the box for Jack Uttridge to score his first goal for Bedford. The defender was first to the ball and headed it against the underside of the bar, the ball bouncing behind the line and back out. While the home side disputed the goal, the linesman confirmed that the ball had crossed the line and Real was level.

With Real now looking to take the lead, the chance of winning the game was made more difficult as Tom Hitcock was sent off five minutes before the break. Jumping for a header against Whitworth’s captain Jack Daldy, Hitchcock fell over the player, jumped to his feet, and pushed him back to the ground. The referee consulted with the linesman and sent Hitchcock for an early shower.

Second Half

Despite being down to ten men, Real took the game to Wellingborough, and Sinclair made two changes at halftime, switching to a 4-4-1. Matt Clifford came on for James Ducket, and Owusu replaced Burnside, strengthening the midfield.

The game established a pattern in the second half with Real dominating possession, looking to pick holes in the Wellingborough defence with the home side creating chances on the break.

While Bedford pushed for a winner, Wellingborough nearly took the lead on the hour mark, but for an excellent save from Bedford No.1 Tyler McGregor. Freddie King met a deep cross into the Bedford box, which McGregor saved with his feet.

Next up, it was Bedford to come close. This time Jordan Brown made space down the left, cutting the ball back to Dan Walker, whose shot took a deflection and went wide.

The deadlock was broken in the 71st minute. A free-kick into the Bedford box was deflected out of the box but chasing the loose ball, Andy Sinclair tripped Jacob Thompson in the box, and the ref pointed to the spot. Kobi Bivens stepped up and slotted the penalty home to give the league's bottom side the lead.

With Bedford facing defeat, the team clicked into another gear and were immediately level. Dan Walker headed on a long ball from Tom Wood deep inside the Bedford half to Jordan Brown. The prolific Bedford striker hit the ball past the oncoming Barthoz Wiciek, the ball rebounding off the inside of the left-hand post back to Jordan Brown, who couldn’t miss.

Real smelled blood and pushed for a winner, and took the lead with five minutes to go. A cross ball from Real Captain Luke Knight found Claston Gordon on the right-hand side. His cross was tipped into the path of Jordan Brown, who volleyed into the bottom left-hand corner to the delight of the travelling Bedford faithful.

With Real Bedford looking to hold onto the lead, Wellingborough gifted the game to the away side. A nothing shot from Owusu deflected into the arms of the Wellingborough keeper, who shoved Brown to the ground, conceding a penalty. Knight stepped up a cooly slotted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Bedford was still not done, and Jordan Brown completed his hat-trick in injury time, taking him to 19 goals for the season. With Wellingborough looking to get back in the game, Real broke free with Dan Walker clean through on goal, but the striker squared the ball to Brown unselfishly.

We are now at the halfway point of the season, with Real having played 19, won 18 and lost 1. We may come back to look at this game as one of the most important of the season come April.

Real's campaign continues on Saturday, 17th December, against Amersham Town, The Pirate's last home game of the year. Please come down and support the lads as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

RBFC: McGregor, Gordon, J. Ducket (Clifford, 45’), Knight ©, Uttridge, Wood, Burnside (Owusu, 45’), Sinclair, Walker, Hitchcock, Brown.

Unused Subs: McGrath, R. Ducket.