Late strikes secure All Three Points in 3-1 Win Over Welwyn Garden City
By Will Murray
Real Bedford moved four points clear at the top of the Southern League Division One Central table – beating Welwyn Garden City 3-1 at Herns Way. Josh Setchell, Joey Evans and Tom Hitchcock scored the goals for the Pirates to avenge the defeat to the hosts in August.
Rob Sinclair’s side dominated the early stages, creating chances through Ben Stevens and Setchell. Despite their early supremacy, the visitors nearly went behind in the 19th minute when Layne Eadie’s ball, with the outside of his foot found Nick Ralfe, but his low shot was impressively saved by Tyler McGregor.
This was one of a few important stops from Bedford’s goalkeeper in the first half, including in the 28th minute when Eadie was denied by McGregor following a one-two between Lewis Taaffe and Ralfe.
Bedford opened the scoring in the 37th minute. A hopeful long ball forward led to a misjudged back pass from the Welwyn defender – allowing Setchell to run through on goal and slot the ball into the bottom right corner.
The visitors grew in confidence after the opener and came close to extending their lead just before the break. An exchange of passes between Stevens and Drew Richardson eventually saw the ball bounce to Eniola Agemoh-Davies, but his shot was well blocked by a Welwyn defender.
Second Half
Seconds after the interval, Ralfe came close to scoring again, when he was played through on goal, but he narrowly dragged his shot wide of the post.
On a boggy playing surface, Bedford struggled to gain fluency in the early stages of the second half. Marc Weatherstone’s side continued to threaten, coming close to equalising in the 61st minute when Jack Vasey’s first-time volley skimmed the top of the bar.
Welch then pulled off a miraculous double save in the 68th minute – first denying Hitchcock and then Evans from six yards out. Welwyn took advantage of this reprieve, scoring the equaliser two minutes later. Eadie’s free-kick eventually found Taafe in the box, who lashed a powerful low shot past a helpless McGregor.
Welwyn nearly completed a turnaround a few minutes later when Ralfe’s ball found Taaffe in the box, but his diving header was saved by the Bedford shot-stopper.
The Pirates survived Welwyn’s flurry of chances and put themselves back in the lead in the 83rd minute. Richardson’s ball over the top found Setchell, who took on the defender and squared it to Evans in the box, who put the ball into an empty net.
Bedford put the game to bed in the 86th minute when Ty Ward’s free-kick was partially cleared to Hitchcock in the box, who volleyed the ball past Welch to secure the three points.
There was still time for another McGregor save, though, as he denied Ralfe with an incredible one-handed stop in the closing stages.
Speaking after the game, McGregor said:
“Today doesn’t really matter unless we go and put goals past our next opponents and win those games as well. So, onto the next one and we move on.”
The Pirates host Flackwell Heath in the league on Saturday 1st February, as well as a Gemini ‘Sponsor Day’. Tickets for the match are available here.
RBFC: McGregor, Morrell, Longden, S.Ward, Richardson, Agemoh-Davies (Soile 89’), Nicolson (T.Ward 80’), Watkins, Stevens (Hitchcock 65’), Setchell, Evans.
Unused subs: Knight, Galliford
Welwyn Garden City 1 - 3 Real Bedford
25th January 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Herns Way
