Real Bedford sign off regular season on a high with win at Bromsgrove
Real Bedford signed off an impressive Southern League Premier Central regular season with a 3-1 away victory over Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday.
Ahead of a home play-off semi-final against Kettering Town as they aim for a fourth successive promotion, manager Rob Sinclair said: “It was an outstanding performance.
“I think out of possession you couldn’t have asked for more in terms of work rate, tracking runners, winning the first contact, and second contact was top level and in possession.
“I looked up at the scoreboard and within nine minutes it could have probably been 4-0. We started the game so fast.
“Once we'd got our goals, second half we just controlled the game and saw it out.”
Indeed, Josh Allen found the back of the net within the first four minutes.
Stevens, with a lovely half-turn touch, played in Allen, who put it into the bottom corner and put the Pirates ahead.
Just minutes later, Setchell made an excellent run down the wing, and he played a great ball to Allen, but he was unable to find his second, putting his chance just wide.
In the 12th minute, Richardson made an excellent tackle to prevent a dangerous attempt, and Allen went on to have an excellent chance which was cleared off the line.
However, the hosts managed to find an equaliser.
Wynney played a ball to Belmonte and he found the back of the net with a volley.
Just before half-time, Rob Sinclair’s side managed to dominate possession, and Josh Setchell put the Pirates back in front as Stevens’ volley deflected off Setchell on its path to goal.
Just after half-time, Jones put some brilliant defensive work in to prevent a reply from the Rouslers. And one minute later, Jones went onto score at the other end; his first touch from Stevens’ cross setting him up perfectly to slot his chance into the bottom corner.
After the third goal, Sporting started to create multiple high quality chances as they aimed to get back into the game.
In the 63rd minute, Sinclair made his first change with Lee Watkins coming on to replace Drew Richardson.
The Pirates then took control of the game, pushing to extend their lead.
Substitute Hitchcock came close to meeting Conor Tee’s cross, and Hitchcock tested the keeper with a header at the back post.