The Pirates produce a last-minute winner to finish 2023 with a win
Archie Jones was on hand to produce two late goals cancelling out a Cockfosters’ comeback at McMullen Park, giving The Pirates a vital three points heading into the New Year.
Archie Jones was on hand to produce two late goals cancelling out a Cockfosters’ comeback at McMullen Park, giving The Pirates a vital three points heading into the New Year.
The game was held in the balance and the visitors were the first to create a big chance in the opening 10 minutes. A lobbed ball from the left wing found the head of Chris Griffin who flicked it towards goal unopposed from just inside the penalty area, his header wide of the mark.
Despite showing signs of promise in the opening stages, the away team conceded moments later. Drew Richardson won a vital header in midfield sending Joey Evans on a charge through the middle. The striker found Mo Ahmed out wide, who weaved his way past the defence before slotting the ball past Charlie Mann from a tight angle. Giving The Pirates an early lead.
Just before the break, however, Cockfosters drew level. A cross from Corey Ugbomah found the back post but was headed back towards goal by Aiden Read into the path of George Lutaaya. The striker tapped the ball into the vacant net to bring the game back onto level terms heading into halftime.
Second Half
After a battling first 25 minutes in the second period, Cockfosters registered another chance. After a free-kick for the visitors was floated into the area, the ball fell to Charne Lemba who struck it clean on the half-volley, however, his chance faded wide of the post to keep the scores level.
5 minutes later though, and Bedford got what they thought might be their match-winning chance. Richardson played a lofted ball to Mo Ahmed in behind the defence, the winger stuttered and started whilst waiting for the overlapping run of Archie Jones. Ahmed then found Jones with a delectable through ball and Jones matched it with a fantastic composed finish.
The game wasn’t done there though, as with seconds of the 90 to spare. Cockfosters levelled the game off a corner. Jay Lovell rose highest to nod the ball into the net, seemingly salvaging a point from McMullen Park.
However, The Pirates had other ideas. Getting the ball up the other end of the field, and manufacturing a corner deep in extra time. Charlie Smith’s initial cross was cleared by Cockfosters but only as far as Mo Ahmed who fizzed the ball back out to Smith this time with a better angle. The midfielder put in a cross towards Joey Evans who flicked the ball onto Archie Jones who was vacant at the back post. The youngster smashed the ball home on the volley to send McMullen Park delirious and give Real Bedford a crucial lead.
The job wasn’t done, however, as Cockfosters were given multiple chances to level the game up once more. Heading into the 100th minute of the game, Lee Watkins provided a headed clearance off the line before Tyler McGregor produced a fingertip save to deny Cockfosters from a 20-yard free-kick. The ball ricocheted off the bar in the process. McGregor had done enough though to see the ball go behind and subsequently, the referee to blow his whistle, giving McMullen Park a grand finish to 2023.
Real Bedford now enter the new year with a game against Leverstock Green. Tickets can be purchased here.
RBFC: McGregor, Burgess, Wood ©, Richardson, Smith, Watkins, Setchell, Jones, Stevens (Knight 90’), Ahmed (Corbit 90’), Evans
Unused Subs: J.Ducket, Swain, Gordon
Real Bedford 3 - 2 Cockfosters
30th December, 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: McMullen Park
