Two more goals for in-form striker, Joey Evans secured a 2-0 away victory for Real Bedford against play-off chasing, Hadley on Saturday as they remain top of Southern League Central Division One.
However, with Berkhamsted reciprocating the result at home to Flackwell Heath, Rob Sinclair’s side only remain top on goal difference, although the Pirates do have two games in hand.
Real Bedford had enjoyed an eleven day break before travelling to Brickfield Lane on Saturday afternoon but they had to grind out all three points against a dangerous Hadley side on a big afternoon of Southern League football.
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An early chance for Josh Setchell was kept out by Luke Ward in the home goal but it was a familiar face who opened the scoring.
Joey Evans, who had earlier narrowly missed a scorching Setchell cross, broke the deadlock after 17 minutes, continuing a fine goalscoring streak that has left the number nine on 16 goals in his last 12 games come the final whistle.
Archie Jones, making a rare start from the off, cut in from the left wing and put it on a plate for Evans to head home despite away protestations for offside, and it would be a lead that Real Bedford would never surrender.
Tyler McGregor was called into action not long after but made a save from a free kick look easy, before Ben Stevens had an effort kept out at the other end.
Arguably, Real should have gone into half-time two goals ahead; a mistimed clearance from Ward falling to the feet of Evans but with the goal gaping, Real’s star man knocked it over the crossbar.
Hadley cause a scare
In the second half, Hadley were not without their chances as Jordan Edwards shot wide of the post before Isaac Stones hit the crossbar from close range.
A smart save from McGregor also kept out Hermes Gbio as the warning lights flashed for the visitors but it was Evans who put the contest to bed late on with his second of the game.
It was a beautiful finish as Evans cut in off the left flank and curled a fine strike past Ward and into the top corner to seal a hard-fought but necessary 2-0 win against one of the division’s better sides.
At this stage of the season, all wins are of course necessary, with this eighth tier title battle now well and truly a two horse race.
Real Bedford and Berkhamsted are double digits ahead of Barton Rovers in third, with a key contest to come at Broadwater on 22 March.
First, Real Bedford have to navigate their way past two of the division’s bottom sides, with North Leigh first up on Tuesday 11 March – one of their games in hand – before hosting Northwood at the Ledger Stadium on Saturday 15 March.
