The Pirates Crowned Champions with 7-1 Win over Thame United Reserves

Match Report

17 Apr

Real Bedford lifted the trophy in style in front of a record-breaking McMullen Park crowd defeating relegation-troubled Thame United Reserves 7-1. With well over 300 Pirates fans in attendance, the champions were at their best both on and off the field as fans travelled from across the globe to see Real collect their first trophy.

The match itself was a perfect end to a home campaign, displaying the kind of dominance which has been a regular at McMullen Park. The league champions scored seven, including a Tom Hitchcock hat-trick of headers, but it could have been much more.

It only took two minutes for Hitchy to bag his first, a Kevin Owusu corner reaching Tom Wood. His header was tipped onto the bar; however, Hitchcock was ready to poach and managed to nod it into an empty and open his and the Pirate's account inside the game's opening minutes.

And it didn't take long for him to bag his brace. Kevin Owusu fed Jordan Brown, who looked dangerous on his return to the side. After beating two defenders, Brown whipped in a cross straight towards an awaiting Hitchcock, who knocked it into the net for his second header of the afternoon.

The third goal came within the half-hour mark. Archie Culley fed the ball to Hitchcock, who, in an advanced position, played a lovely 1-2 with Jordan Brown, knocking the ball across the face for Brown to smash it past the keeper for the Pirate's 3rd goal.

A few chances went begging for Bedford across the rest of the first half, with nothing troubling Tyler McGregor at the other end. Real were in cruise control and enjoying themselves as they headed into the break with a healthy lead.

Second Half

The Pirates increased their lead in the first few minutes of the second period. A move kickstarted by Curtis Hartley found Kevin Owusu in space on the edge of the area. His pass reached Brown just inside the area, where he cleverly flicked the ball to Claston Gordon, who got a well-deserved first goal for the club in fine fashion smashing it into the roof of the net and celebrating in front of the cameras.

The 5th came 10 minutes later. This time it was the outstanding balance of Eddie Corbit that kept the move alive. The young midfielder slalomed his way through the Thame defence before getting a shot away, which was parried by the Thame keeper into the path of Jordan Brown for him to pick up his brace, which was nearly converted into a hat-trick a few moments later if it were not for some superb keeping from Thame United Reserves shot stopper Hebdon who somehow denied Brown from close range.

Bedford continued to harass the Thame box, and it wasn't long before The Pirates found their 6th goal. A deflected Luke Knight free kick turned into a Luke Knight corner, which allowed Tom Wood to rise high into the bright Bedford sky and head the ball into the back of the net, inviting Wood to show off his now signature Ronaldo-style celebration.

Real Bedford rounded off proceedings with a final flourish which saw Hitchcock complete his hat-trick. Jordan Brown's looped cross found Matt Clifford in the area, who flicked it on towards Hitchcock, who once again used his head to nod it into the back of the net.

Thame managed to pull one back in the dying moments after a solo run caught Bedford on the counter, with Ryan Daly slipping one past McGregor for a consolation goal in the game's dying moments. However, it didn't dampen the mood as the Pirates celebrated the trophy win in superb style as many packed into the clubhouse to celebrate the club's title with the players, coaches, and staff.

All eyes are on Thursday, 20th April, as the Pirates look to complete a league and cup double against Elstow Abbey in the County Cup Final at Bedford Town Football Club. The match kicks off at 7.30pm and will be streamed online for international supporters.

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