The Pirates progress in the Gladwish Challenge Trophy
A 5-1 victory over Wellingborough Whitworth was enough to see Real Bedford in the next round of the Spartan South Midlands competition.
Rob Sinclair named a heavily rotated side from Saturday’s FA Vase clash, with Alfie Bozward, Ben Walsh, Andy Sinclair and new signing Drew Richardson all handed their first competitive starts of the campaign.
While a league separates the teams, Wellingborough were the first to strike. Playing well on the counterattack, Owen Brooks managed to get in behind the Real Bedford defence and slot the ball past Alfie Bozward to ensure the Flourmen took an early lead inside 20 minutes.
Bedford soon found themselves level as a Charlie Smith corner proved fruitful for The Pirates. The cross found the head of Lewis Burgess, who nodded it down towards goal to level up the game with just over 30 minutes played.
Lewis Burgess was involved in Real’s second goal, too. A long throw-in from the centre-back flew towards the penalty area, finding the head of skipper Joe Steele. His header fired past the Wellingborough keeper to give Bedford the lead for the first time in the game.
Moments later, another set-piece header found out the Whitworth defence. Another corner delivery from Charlie Smith on the right flank found Lewis Burgess, who repeated his efforts from his first goal to bag a first-half brace.
Second Half
The second half started as strongly as the first half ended, with a goal for Bedford inside the first 10 minutes. A Wellingborough defender headed away an Andy Sinclair cross meant for Tom Hitchcock but only as far as Ben Stevens, who smashed it home on the half-volley — his 19th goal of the campaign.
Goal number 20 for Ben Stevens soon followed, despite not being as acrobatic as the last. This time, it was the excellent work of Josh Setchell, who dispossessed Milton Ncube on the halfway line before using his pace to get away from the trailing Wellingborough defenders. He squared the ball back to Stevens, who tapped it into a vacant net to grab another brace.
Wellingborough had a good chance just before the final whistle to pull a goal back. Alfie Bozward palmed away a free-kick from just outside the area, but with Wellingborough players bearing down on the deflection, the debutant keeper made a superb double save to deny The Flourmen a late consolation goal.
Real Bedford will now play Cockfosters in the next round of the Gladwish Challenge Trophy; the date of the game is yet to be confirmed. The Pirates return to league action on Saturday with a game against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos. Tickets are available here.
RBFC: Bozward, J.Ducket, Walsh (Swain 71’), Burgess, Steele © (Wood 60’), Smith (Watkins 45’), Sinclair (Setchell 60’), Richardson, Hitchcock (Corbit 68’), Stevens, Ahmed
Real Bedford 5 - 1 Wellingborough Whitworth
14th November, 2023
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: Victoria Mill Ground
