Real Bedford fought back from a goal down to win 3-1 at Worcester City in Southern League Premier Central on Saturday (20 September); their second consecutive win in the league, as Real begin to pick up momentum at step three.
Going behind after just four minutes was probably not in the script for manager, Rob Sinclair, but strikes from Josh Allen, Archie Jones and a first in Real colours for former Bedford Town midfielder, Lewis Hilliard secured three points for the Pirates.
Hilliard, who joined from neighbours Bedford Town at the beginning of the month, was followed out of the Eyrie door by fellow midfielder, Elliot Simmons in the week; the third former Bedford Town player to jump the fence to their near neighbours this season.
Simmons was named on the bench, alongside Mo Ahmed who appeared in the matchday squad for the first time in over a year after a serious knee injury, while former Eagles compatriot, Hilliard once again began from the off in Real’s first game in 11 days.
The hosts were Worcester City, promoted from step four via the play-offs last season, and a side who play their home games at the 12,067-capacity, Sixways Stadium in a ground share with rugby union side, Worcester Warriors.
Bedford Blues will be coming here later in the winter, but for now, football took centre stage and it was Real Bedford who made the most of the occasion.
Worcester win early lead
The occasion started terribly for Real as Worcester took a fourth minute lead.
An excellent through ball from Kobe Chong found striker, Kyle Belmonte who made no mistake in giving the hosts the lead, but it would be as good as it got for Chris Cornes’ side as Real fought back.
It was Josh Allen who would find the equaliser, after a first period otherwise devoid of many chances for either side, as the striker linked up with Josh Setchell to find the back of the net to restore parity.
His assist came at the second time of asking as blue and white shirts scrambled back, but Setchell was eventually able to square it to Allen who hit home into the roof of the net.
Dan Sweeney’s acrobatic effort almost gave City a half-time lead, but it took just four minutes of the second half for Real to turn the game on its head.
Ben Stevens’ corner was headed away by a Worcester defender, but only found Lewis Hilliard who hit back through a crowded penalty area, into the ground and into the top corner for his first goal in the amber of Real.
The clincher came on the counter attack for Real Bedford, as they broke off the back of a Worcester corner and as quick as a flash, Conor Tee had played in Archie Jones to slot home a third and put some daylight between the two teams.
Belmonte and Sweeney both had efforts in the second period to try and get their side back in the game; but otherwise, Real Bedford saw out the match with relative ease, and summed up from a Worcester point of view with a late booking for manager, Cornes.
Real Bedford are up to 13th, four points above the relegation zone, but also just three points off the step three play-offs although there is of course plenty of football left to play this season.
Sinclair’s team are back in action on Tuesday night (23 September) as they travel to Banbury United before another rest while the FA Cup takes precedent.
They are back at the Ledger Stadium on 11 October against Barwell.
