In a rain-soaked encounter, Real Bedford dismantled North Leigh with an 8-0 victory, featuring a hat-trick from Joey Evans and a relentless attacking display that left North Leigh still searching for their first points of the season.

On a rain-soaked afternoon, Real Bedford and North Leigh met in a crucial early-season match. Both sides wanting a win: The Pirates were looking to make a statement following their defeat to Welwyn the previous week, while North Leigh aimed to secure their first points after a tough start to the season with three consecutive losses.

The heavy downpour set the stage for a challenging game, but it didn’t dampen the intensity on the pitch. Real Bedford started brightly, and in the 12th minute, Eniola Agemoh-Davies was brought down, earning a free-kick in a promising position. Ben Stevens squared the ball to Jack Morrell but his powerful effort flew over the bar, leaving the scores level.

The breakthrough came in the 26th minute. Eniola, who was a constant threat down the left, delivered a precise cross that found Joey Evans, who slid in to slot the ball home.

Real Bedford continued to press, and just before halftime, Drew unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards that narrowly missed the target, signalling their intent to add to their lead.

Second Half

The second half began much like the first, with Real Bedford in control. Just five minutes after the restart, Stevens doubed the lead, weaving through the North Leigh defense before slotting home to make it 2-0. The floodgates were now open.

In the 55th minute, a brilliant tackle by Jack Morrell set up a counter-attack. The ball was played out to Setchy on the right, who whipped in a perfect cross for Evans to volley home his second of the match. Real Bedford was now cruising, and North Leigh struggled to find any response.

North Leigh had a rare chance in the 75th minute when a free-kick was bent round the wall, which bounced off Tyler McGregors knee and struck the post, but the ball somehow stayed out.

Just two minutes later, Eniola again showed his class, this time down the right. His clever pass found Tom Hitchcock, who slammed the ball into the net, adding a fourth. The goals kept coming as Evans completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute with a perfectly executed lob over the keeper, the ball bouncing off the post and into the net.

With North Leigh’s defence tired, Ty Ward got in on the action in the 85th minute, chipping the keeper before rounding a defender to score. The relentless Pirates were not done yet, as Eddie Corbit raced through in the 88th minute to slot home after receiving a superb ball from Jack Morrell.

The final blow came in stoppage time. Hitchcock, once again, broke through the weary North Leigh defence to score his second goal of the game, sealing a comprehensive 8-0 victory.

Real Bedford now face Stotfold away on Monday, 26th August before heading to Walthamstow on Saturday 7th September in the FA Trophy.

The Pirates are next at home on Saturday 28th September, facing Ware in the league. Tickets for the match are available here.

RBFC: McGregor, Morrell, S. Ward, Richardson (T. Ward 65’), Longden (Kpohomouh 56’), Watkins (Corbit 66’), Nicolson (Galliford 81’), Agehoh-Davies, Stevens, Setchell (Hitchcock 73’), Evans.

Real Bedford 8 - 0 North Leigh
24th August, 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Ledger Stadium