real bedford book their spot in the COUNTY cup semi-finals after a tough battle against leighton town
By Will Murray
Real Bedford booked their place in the final four of the County Cup with a 3-2 win against Leighton Town at the Freed Veneers Community Stadium. Goals from Jack Morrell, Callum Nicolson and Isaac Galliford secured the away win for the Pirates.
The last meeting of the sides delivered a 0-0 draw at The Ledger Stadium in November, but Bedford were keen to win this time, stamping their authority on the game in the early stages. In the 10th minute, Isaac Galliford’s corner found Jack Morrell, who headed the ball into the bottom right corner to put the visitors ahead.
Rob Sinclair’s side continued to create chances in the opening half, with Joey Evans striking the bar after 30 minutes. Despite this, the home team still provided a threat and came close to equalising when Charlie Pattison’s effort also struck the woodwork.
In the 40th minute, a swift Bedford counter-attack saw Evans and Galliford combine, with Galliford firing the ball against the right post in what was becoming an end-to-end cup match.
Just before the break, Leighton equalised after a ball was flicked on in midfield and eventually found Godlove Oppong, who smartly finished past Alfie Mumford with his left foot from the edge of the box.
Second Half
Like the first half, Bedford dominated the early stages after the break, with Eniola Agemoh-Davies providing a constant threat down the right-hand side. With 11 minutes gone in the second half, a perfectly weighted cross on the left-hand side of the box from Galliford found Nicolson at the back post, whose bullet header flew past the Leighton goalkeeper.
In an attempt to finish the game off, Sinclair brought on the duo of Ben Stevens and Josh Setchell on the hour mark. Straight away they linked up with Stevens releasing Setchell on the right-wing. His low cross then found Drew Richardson in the box, but his effort was well blocked by a Leighton defender.
With the visitors in control, a ball in behind from the home side caused problems for the Bedford backline in the 71st minute, a mistake from Morrell allowed Goss to charge towards Mumford, which was eventually slotted home by captain Lyton Goss to level the game for the second time.
Sinclair’s side didn’t deter from their gameplan, though, and continued to enjoy long spells of possession and corners in the opposition half. In the 81st minute, a succession of Bedford headers missed the target, including Tom Hitchcock’s effort, which hit the woodwork. Eventually, the ball fell to Galliford, who tucked the ball away to put the visitors in the lead for the third time.
The 2022 County Cup winners threatened to equalise again in the later stages with a deflected effort just going wide in the 87th minute. Bedford were able to hold on, though, moving them one step closer to the Challenge Cup final at Kenilworth Road.
The Pirates host Aylesbury United in the league on Saturday 21st December. Tickets for the match are available here.
RBFC: Mumford, Richardson, Agemoh-Davies (Setchell 60’), Morrell, Nicolson, Galliford, Jones (Stevens 60’), Evans (Hitchcock 65’), Soile, T.Ward, S.Ward.
Unused subs: Longden, Watkins.
Leighton Town 2-3 Real Bedford
10th December 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Location: Freed Veneers Community Stadium
