A rampant Real Bedford are now just one game away from securing the Southern League Central Division One title after another dominant display saw a 4-1 win at Aylesbury United on Saturday.
Coupled with Berkhamsted’s 0-0 home draw against Kidlington, Real Bedford are now 11 points clear at the top with just 12 more points to play for.
The executive at Aylesbury United had caused a stir in midweek, discussing their recent poor form against what the Ducks’ Managing Director, Bob Moody called “poor opposition” that included third-placed, Flackwell Heath and play-off chasing, Thame United.
After now scoring 119 league goals, Real Bedford were anything but poor as they once again put their opposition to the sword.
Ben Stevens had the first chance of the game, lifting an effort just wide of Jack Hopwood’s far post but it didn’t take long for Real to open the scoring after just 12 minutes.
There was an element of luck involved as Joey Evans’ through ball cannoned off a couple of defenders before finding its way to the charging Archie Jones who fired home.
Luqman Kassim, who had proved dangerous in the reverse fixture at the Ledger Stadium at the end of February, forced Tyler McGregor into a save before Stevens was in the action again for Real, only to hit an effort against the crossbar.
The game was out of sight before half-time however, and it was a familiar name to do it.
Ben Kakembo’s long range effort was easily kept out by McGregor before the ball went up the other end, with Setchell darting at the Aylesbury defence before squaring for Joey Evans to tap in from close range, via a deflection.
His second – and Real Bedford’s third – came just ninety seconds later as Galliford’s quick corner found a confident Evans who merely chested the ball over the line for his 33rd league goal of the season.
When Ben Stevens made it four with a wonderful free kick before the hour mark, Real Bedford were once again coasting to victory, leaving them a whisker away from a third successive league title.
A late Kassim free-kick, helped by another deflection, did give Aylesbury United a consolation goal, their first in seven league games since the reverse fixture with Real Bedford on 25 February, but it was too late to make any indent into Real’s win.
That league title could be sewed up in unique fashion, as Real Bedford’s American investors, the Winklevoss twins will be in attendance as Real Bedford host Kings Langley next Saturday (12 April).
Kings Langley are not to be underestimated however, as they are just one of two sides to beat Real Bedford in the league this season, albeit falling away sharply into a relegation battle.
With Real Bedford Women also one game away from back-to-back league titles, there may well be a party atmosphere at the Ledger Stadium next weekend, as the club cap what could be another perfect season.
