Josh Allen’s eighth goal of the season and a fourth for Jordan Ponticelli ensured Real Bedford’s 100% run in Southern League Premier Central continued with a battling 2-1 win against Redditch United on Saturday (12 September).
They fought back from going a goal down inside the very first minute to make it seven wins from seven in the early stages of the new season, as the league favourites continue to stamp their mark on the division.
Real returned to the winner’s enclosure after a shock midweek defeat in the first round of the Bedfordshire Senior Cup at the hands of step four side, Biggleswade FC.
The 1-0 loss was their first competitive defeat of the season and ensured Real won’t be defending their county cup title, but normal service resumed on Saturday with a determined comeback win against a rare side who have caused them issues in recent seasons.
Awful start
In this fixture last season, Tyler Bruck was one of two goalscorers in a 2-0 Redditch victory at the Ledger Stadium, and memories came back to haunt the Pirates after the striker opened the scoring inside 30 seconds this time.
It’s not the first slow start Real have endured this season, and it took them a while to get a foothold in the game as chances were few and far between.
Bruck almost added a second on the half hour mark, but was denied by King before Rory Brown stopped a scintillating Ben Stevens strike with an excellent save up the other end.
Brown would turn from hero to villain soon after however, as a howler gifted Real the equaliser.
Allen broke clear down the right wing and cut inside, and by all accounts should have squared it to a better placed attacker, but instead aimed a shot straight at Brown who inexplicably let the ball deflect off him, through his legs and into the net.
That was the final notable act of a relatively even first half, but the chance count didn’t increase much in the third quarter, with Conor Tee of Real and Redditch sub, Harrison Hazard both missing the target from distance.
Brown was called into action after 67 minutes, denying Drew Richardson from range, but a matter of a few minutes later, Richardson galloped forwards again with another strike ending in the winning goal.
The defender’s effort was blocked by a light blue shirt, but the rebound fell to Jordan Ponticelli who had to slide to get to the ball, but beat a visiting defender to poke home the eventual winner.
“Grit and desire”
While CJ Kiala could have had a penalty late on, Real Bedford held on for the 2-1 win which manager, Rob Sinclair called “incredible”.
“We’re delighted to win the game”, said Sinclair.
“In terms of the performance, was it our most fluid? Probably not. But I’d say the grit and the desire to grind out the result was incredible, so we’re really happy.”
Sinclair also spoke about debutant defender, Benji Mensah who has joined Real after a season at Peterborough Sports.
“Considering Benji has had one training session with us, to put on that display was great. The one versus one defending [and] the aggression he showed was brilliant, so we’re very happy with his debut.”
Real are now three points clear at the top after the division’s other perfect side, Bury Town lost 1-0 at a heavily fancied, Bromsgrove Sporting. Alvechurch are also three points behind after six straight wins.
Rob Sinclair’s side face a trip to Norfolk next Saturday (19 September) as they face step five club, Harleston Town of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.
