Real Bedford dug deep to complete the comeback over London Tigers in their 5th league game this campaign. A hard-fought 2-1 victory on a poor pitch confirmed that Bedford’s perfect record would stay intact heading into the league break.

While Real Bedford maintained their 100% record, the game was far from perfect and played on a pitch in desperate need of water. Despite having plenty of chances, the team went their longest without scoring a goal. The best came in the form of a long cross from Dan Walker, finding centre-half Tom Wood at the back post, who couldn’t connect cleanly with the ball and saw his shot stray off target.

Things picked up just before the break in what was a lacklustre first half. London Tigers caught Bedford on the counter, leaving defenders scrambling, and a heavy challenge from Wood inside the Bedford box left referee Mark Baxter pointing to the spot. The penalty converted by Oyera Lewis gave the home team a narrow lead heading into the halftime break.

Second Half

From the whistle, London Tigers carried on their form from late in the first half, having most of the chances in the opening 10 minutes of the second. Tyler McGregor's several crucial saves and a vital goal-line clearance from James Ducket kept Bedford in the game. It looked like Real Bedford heads were starting to drop for the first time this season.

However, it only needed a spark of Walker magic to reignite the comeback for Rob Sinclair's men, which came just before the hour mark. Once again, off the back of a well-hit set piece, the ball fell to James Ducket on the edge of the penalty area, who whipped a ball towards the towering centre forward. Walker managed to get a head to it and guide it into the back of the net, albeit momentarily, as the unusual structure of the goal meant the ball ricocheted back into play off a bar behind the goal. Many, including the officials, were confused over the legitimacy of the goal, but after deliberation, the referee pointed to the centre circle. Bedford was back level.

After the equaliser, Bedford took control of the game, with chances coming thick and fast. Rob Ducket, Jack Uttridge and Tom Hitchcock all came close to finding the back of the net, and it felt only a matter of time before Real would take the lead.

After a lengthy stoppage due to an injury to a Tigers player, Bedford finally struck gold. Replacement Kevin Owusu pounced on a loose ball before finding Walker, who utilised Hitchcock in some lovely one-touch interplay. The ball found its way out wide to new signing Eddie Corbit, whose low-driven cross found an unmarked Dan Walker, who thumped it home from close range, completing the comeback.

The game was far from over; with all the stops in play, the referee added 12 minutes of additional time, which Bedford managed to see out despite good pressure from London Tigers.

Another three points were gained in a scrappy, hard-fought contest against tough opposition.

Unfortunately, a decisive win for fellow title challengers Ampthill Town put them at the top of the table on goal difference, meaning Bedford will now have to wait a fortnight before they can challenge for the top spot. Bedford travels to Holmer Green on the 17th of September.

The next week will see Bedford play cup games against Raunds Town and back at London Tigers. Unfortunately, neither of these will be streamed live.

RBFC: McGregor, R.Ducket, Clifford, J.Ducket, Wood, Uttridge, Corbit, Knight, Walker, Hitchcock (McGrath, 82'), Sinclair (Owusu, 35')

Unused Substitutes: Coyle, Fisher, Culley