REAL BEDFORD SECURE AlL 3 POINTS AFTER A DOMINANT PERFORMANCE AGAINST BARTON ROVERS
By Will Murray
Real Bedford secured a second win in three days with a dominant 5-1 victory against Barton Rovers. Lee Watkins, Joey Evans, Eniola Agemoh-Davies and Isaac Galliford scored the goals for the Pirates in front of a crowd of 507 at The Ledger Stadium.
The visitors were looking to win their seventh game in a row in the league. They were up against it from the start of the game, though, as Bedford dictated the early proceedings. After only five minutes, Agemoh-Davies’ cross found Ben Stevens on the edge of the box. His shot was parried to the feet of Watkins, who tucked away the rebound to put the home side in the lead.
Bedford doubled their advantage in the 10th minute when a misjudged back pass from a Barton midfielder put through Evans, who slotted the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs. Rob Sinclair’s side continued to create chances after their second, with Stevens, Josh Setchell and Jack Morrell all denied by impressive saves from Charlie Warren.
Evans came close to extending the home side’s lead just before the break, hitting the post just before the referee blew his whistle.
Second Half
The visitors responded quickly in the second half, halving the deficit through a John Shamalo strike in the 49th minute. They opted for a higher press and earned a flurry of set pieces to challenge the Bedford backline. The home side restored their two-goal advantage just before the hour mark when Ty Ward played through Evans who slotted the ball home with his left foot, securing himself a brace.
After Bedford’s third, there was a lull in the game as the home side looked to dictate the tempo with controlled passing in midfield. With 10 minutes to play, the Pirates ended any hopes of a Barton comeback when Stevens’ cross from the right found Agemoh-Davies, whose left footed strike found its way into the bottom corner.
Both teams created late chances, with Evans narrowly missing the target from close range in the 89th minute. Galliford scored with the final kick of the game in the fifth minute of additional time, when his free-kick from the edge of the box nestled into the bottom corner.
After the match, manager Sinclair said:
“The energy and the intensity that the boys played at was brilliant to see. It’s a quick turnaround, we’ll train Monday and prepare for Stotfold.”
The Pirates are next at home on Wednesday 1st January, facing Stotfold in the league. Tickets for the match are available here
RBFC: McGregor, Morrell, S.Ward, Londgen, Richardson, Watkins, T.Ward, (Nicolson 86’), Agemoh-Davies (Soile 90’), Stevens (Galliford 85’), Setchell (Knight 90+4), Evans (Hitchcock 90’).
Real Bedford 5 - 1 Barton Rovers
28th December, 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Ledger Stadium
HIGHLIGHTS
