A second successive hat trick from Real Bedford’s number nine, Joey Evans guided the Pirates to three points in Arlesey on Tuesday night as Rob Sinclair’s side continued their fine start to the new league season.
Two wins and a draw from their first three games in a higher division represents a decent return for Real and they currently sit in seventh although the league table is highly distorted due to the early rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase.
Evans in particular has started this campaign on fire with thirteen goal contributions in just seven games.
Evans on fire
Real have understandably found the going a bit tougher in a higher tier, but Tuesday night’s victory at New Lamb Meadow shows they have the quality to challenge for another promotion.
Indeed, if Joey Evans can keep up his Haaland-esque scoring streak, the Pirates will be well placed come April to get promoted again.
Evans’ first half penalty – converted after Mo Ahmed was felled in the area – left the game in the balance at Arlesey until the 88th minute when Evans struck again following smart work from Archie Jones, before completing his hat trick in stoppage time.
It was the second time in as many games Evans had secured the match ball, after he scored another three goals in a 9-1 hammering of Rothwell Corinthians in the first round of qualifying for the FA Vase.
Two first half goals from Ben Stevens and Evans’ first of three looked to have given Real the initiative in the first half at McMullen Park but Rothwell pulled one back before the interval to reignite the tie.
The second half however was completely dominated by Real as they scored six more goals, including a further two for Evans plus a brace from Jordan Brown and a goal apiece for Mo Ahmed and Jason Watkins.
Real go on to host Flackwell Heath of the Combined Counties League in the next round.
Women thrash Dunstable to go top of the table
Real’s Women were also in action and thrashed AFC Dunstable 7-0 away from home to establish a lead at the top of the Eastern Region Women’s Football League.
A brace from Francesca Partridge gave Bedford an advantage they would never surrender as Gemma Croucher, Natasha Fensome, Amy Reed as well as goals from substitutes, Sophie Billing and Lauren Coppin gave Dean Perret’s side their second win of the season.
The thrashing of AFC Dunstable, on top of an impressive 4-1 opening day victory against Stevenage Women will sure send a message to the other eleven teams in the league that Real are the team to beat.
