Real Bedford are through to the second round of the FA Trophy after an entertaining 3-2 victory against Isthmian League side, Ashford United at the Ledger Stadium on Saturday (25 October).
All five goals came in the first half and within 30 minutes, as a brace from Conor Tee either side of a first Pirates goal for Malachi Soile was enough to hold off Ashford for a spot in Monday lunchtime’s second round draw.
The main pre-match talking point came via a rare change in the goalkeeping department, as new signing Craig King took over the gloves from long time number one, Tyler McGregor.
King joins from Southern League Premier South side, Sholing United and was straight into the starting line-up in a game that was mightily entertaining, at least for the first forty five minutes, when all five goals were scored.
It was Ashford who took the lead after nine minutes, but it took just a further eight for Real to restore parity as Conor Tee finished off a pulsating counter attack with a serene finish into the bottom corner.
Four minutes later, the home side were ahead as centre back Malachi Soile scored his first ever goal for the club, nodding home from merely a few yards out.
King was called into action just 90 seconds later with an important save, but he could do nothing about the impending Ashford equaliser.
A third goal within five minutes of the game was soon to come however as Conor Tee was once again released down the left channel and curled an excellent effort from the corner of the penalty area and beyond Taite Holtam in the visiting goal to re-establish the lead.
At this point, at 3-2 on the 27-minute mark, the scoreline could have been anything, but there were to be no more goals, despite both teams gaining excellent chances to add to the goal count.
Sam Cartwright and substitute, Josh Allen both had efforts kept out from Holtam, while Tee had two half chances to gain what would have been a deserved hat-trick, while King tipped over an Ashford header and a further headed effort went just over.
Ashford also had a golden opportunity to take the game directly to a penalty shoot out in the first minute of injury time, but couldn’t capitalise, leaving Real to creep over the line.
“Good to progress”
“The main thing is that we got through”, said manager Rob Sinclair.
“Our performance levels weren’t where we have been, but sometimes you have to grind out results and defend your box in the closing moments, so we’re delighted to get through.
“Those that come in did well, but performance levels need to be back up to where they have been next week, but it’s good to progress.”
The draw for the second round of the FA Trophy takes place on Monday lunchtime (27 October), and clubs from National League South and National League North, including Bedford Town enter the competition at this stage.
The scheduled date for the second round is Saturday 15 November.
