The Pirates produce a scintillating performance under the lights against FC Romania
An incredible second half sealed the deal for Real Bedford as they moved one step closer to lifting the title.
This top-of-the-table clash at McMullen Park was expected to be a tense occasion, with FC Romania looking to affirm their play-off place and The Pirates keen to extend their lead at the top.
The first chance fell to the home side, Drew Richardson picked off a pass in the midfield and found Joey Evans. Real Bedford’s top goal scorer looked to add to his tally early with a long-range effort, but it was just wide of the goal.
Bedford were soon in again on the counter, this time it was Charlie Smith who picked off a pass in the midfield, passing it onto Evans who flicked it over the defence, inviting Archie Jones onto the ball. Jones connected with the ball at the same time as FC Romania keeper Elgi Fejzo, with both taking a nasty knock in the process and failing to find the target.
The visitors then had their best chances of the match back to back, catching Bedford off guard both Styliandies and Gyaw-Kyem narrowly missed the target in quick succession. The latter left the crossbar reverberating after his effort.
Rob Sinclair’s men soon found their first at the half-hour mark. After Lee Watkins dispossessed Romania in the midfield, he used Setchell to find a pass to Eddie Corbit. The right-back delivered a wicked ball into the box. The ball initially fell back to Ben Stevens on the edge of the area, his chance was saved by Fejzo, but only as far as Jones who tapped it in for the opening goal.
Jones doubled his tally just before the break, this time it was the great work of Ben Stevens down the left flank who whipped in an inch-perfect pass across the face of goal towards Jones. The midfielder just got enough on the ball to guide it home, giving The Pirates the lead at the break.
Second Half
The second half started with a flurry, 5 minutes in Bedford got their third. Josh Setchell looped a ball into the box which was headed down by Joey Evans to Brett Longden. The left-back flicked the ball back into the air before smashing it on the half volley into the top right. With a celebration to match the incredible finish, McMullen Park collectively was on their feet.
Moments later and it seemed all too easy for Bedford to find the back of the net. Archie Jones played a pass to a vacant Evans who in turn played through Stevens. The midfielder was one-on-one with Fejzo, cooly taking it past the keeper before slotting it home.
The goals continued to rain down for The Pirates. Setchell this time with a low-driven cross into the area. The ball was helped on by Evans to Stevens at the back post, some heroic defending denied him the goal, but Evans headed it over the line for his first of the night.
His brace would come soon after and wrap up the goal-scoring, Lee Watkins picked the pockets of Daniel Ortiz, and gifted the ball to Evans who wrapped it past Fejzo.
The Pirates now play Tring Athletic on Saturday which could prove to be a record-breaking afternoon for the club. Learn more about this weekend and how to secure your tickets here.
RBFC: McGregor, Corbit, Longden (Agemoh-Davies 72’), Wood ©, Richardson, Smith (Ducket 87’), Setchell, Watkins (Ahmed 75’), Evans, Stevens (Hitchcock 81’), Jones (Knight 68’)
Real Bedford 6 - 0 FC Romania
9th April, 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: McMullen Park
