A well-drilled Real Bedford put Burton Park Wanderers to the sword this weekend, recording a comfortable 5-1 home win at McMullen Park.

Goals courtesy of Tom Hitchcock, Tom Wood, Jordan Brown, Archie Culley and Eddie Corbit allowed The Pirates to beat 12th-placed Burton after a testing opening 20 minutes.

With nine games to go, Real knew that another victory at home would bring the title closer, ahead of a run of five tricky away fixtures. Burton Park brought a much-changed side to McMullen Park, which has seen them climb up to mid-table, with the home side were aware that they are capable of causing problems.

Burton proved tricky to break down in the opening 20 minutes despite Jordan Brown having four clear-cut chances in the opening spell. Resolute defending, goal-line clearances and unfortunate timing left the striker empty-handed.

It was Brown, however, who set up the game's opening goal. Foraging into the box from out wide, attracting defenders towards him allowed Brown to place a slide-draw pass to Tom Hitchcock, who took a good touch before smashing it past the Burton keeper to score Bedford's first goal of the game.

Real Bedford's second came courtesy of a throw-in from new signing Lewis Burgess. The 'Delap-esque' long throw caused headaches for Burton defenders, who failed to track Tom Wood in the area as the centre-half rose highest, heading the ball into the back of the net for his 3rd goal in two games.

With The Pirates seemingly in control of the game, Burton pulled a goal back immediately. Josh Drain collected the ball on the edge of the box before beating James Ducket and wrapping his shot past Tyler McGregor, reducing the deficit back to one goal. Both sides pushed for a goal and created chances, but Real Bedford took a slender lead into the break.

Second Half

The second half started with further pressure from Real Bedford, and the hosts restored their two-goal lead on the hour mark. Some more dangerous movement in the area by Jordan Brown, beating two defenders, allowed him to manoeuvre towards the by-line, cutting the ball back into the middle past the keeper and towards an awaiting Eddie Corbit, who smashed it home for Real Bedford’s third.

The Pirates were clearly in the ascendency, and another goal came quickly, this time from a Luke Knight set-piece. A teasing ball from a corner found the head of Archie Culley in the area, whose deflected header found its way into the back of the net after a considerable touch from Burton Park defender Bradley Marshall.

After setting up two goals, it was Jordan Brown's turn to get on the scoresheet. Tom Hitchcock's delicate touch on a through ball put it in the path of Brown. He raced towards goal and made little error slotting the ball into the back of the net, picking up his 26th league goal of the season.

With the score at 5-1, Real Bedford had the points in the bag, but as the clock turned red, there was a last chance for Hitchcock to bag a brace. Eddie Corbit slid through the midfield before laying the pass off to Hitchcock, who hit the woodwork from a tight angle. The ball ricocheted out to substitute Kevin Owusu, whose shot was well saved by the recovering keeper.

Despite letting the last chance slip, it was still a confident victory from The Pirates, who move into a streak of away games full of confidence considering their perfect form on the road.

Our next home game is against Ampthill Town on Easter Monday, 10th April. Tickets are available on the club website, while those outside of the UK can follow the stream live.

RBFC: McGregor, Burgess, Clifford, Knight © (A. Sinclair 86’), Wood, J. Ducket (Gordon 62’), Fitzjohn (Owusu 69’), Culley, Hitchcock, Corbit, Brown.

Unused Subs: Walker, Hartley.