Real Bedford guaranteed they will be top of the Spartans South Midlands Premier Division at Christmas after a hard fought 3-1 away victory against playoff-chasing FC Romania.
Saturday’s game was a far cry from a lot of the Pirates’ fixtures this season; FC Romania are a strong side after being relegated from Southern League Central Division One last season and they provided a scare to Rob Sinclair’s side in Cheshunt.
FC Romania took the lead early on; Toby Coker sprinting clear and slotting past Tyler McGregor, leaving Real with the rare challenge of coming from behind.
The home side should have made it two when Malik Nosike’s shot went just wide after McGregor was left stranded following an under par clearance and they were made to pay on the stroke of half-time.
Mo Ahmed’s cross from the left was brought down by Josh Setchell who found the bottom corner to provide parity at the break.
Romania sin bin changes game
With both teams tightly matched, the game swung in Real’s favour thanks to the new sin bin rule, going against the hosts and giving Real Bedford a real opportunity to steal the game.
Zenon Stylianides’ comments to the assistant referee saw him receive a sin bin and with Romania down to ten men for ten minutes, Real set about gaining all three points which they did with aplomb.
Setchell turned from goal scorer to provider as his cross found Joey Evans to score what would be the winner and with Lewis Burgess heading home moments later, Real Bedford had secured a 3-1 victory.
Real Bedford remain four points clear of Milton Keynes Irish – who despatched Baldock Town 4-1 – but the pair are now well clear of St Panteleimon in third and the title race is looking set to be competed between two horses.
Real Bedford Ladies were back in cup action on Sunday as they travelled to AFC Dunstable in a rearranged league cup tie that saw the Pirates advance to the quarter-finals.
Goals either side of the break from Tash Fensome and Gemma Croucher secured a 2-0 win in the south of the county, and the side now face a tough challenge to reach the semis with Watford Development FC their next opponents.
The Ladies are now done for 2023, but the Men face three fixtures in seven days in a busy Christmas and New Year period, starting with a league encounter against Crawley Green at McMullen Park on Saturday.
Tickets for the game can still be bought here.
