Bedford Town are now fifth in National League North after Finley Wilkinson’s winner in the first minute of injury time secured a fourth straight victory at Worksop Town on Tuesday night (8 September).
A second half equaliser from David Hicks had restored parity after Ryan Viggers’ first half opener for the hosts, only for Wilkinson to pounce late to continue the Eagles’ dream run in the early stages of the new campaign.
Now on 15 points after eight games following the 2-1 win at the KC Sofas Stadium, the season has started far better than many could have imagined.
Following Junior Gyamfi’s only goal on Saturday against Radcliffe, the Eagles fans were in high spirits heading to one of their longest midweek trips of the season to Nottinghamshire.
Read: Gyamfi goal gives Bedford Town third win in a week against struggling Radcliffe
And despite going into half-time a goal behind, the Eagles rallied to score two second half goals to usurp their Midlands opponents.
The game took a while to heat up, with Eno Nto forcing Max Dearnley into the encounter’s first save just short of the 20-minute mark, but ten minutes later, the hosts were ahead.
Ryan Viggers had gone close with a spectacular effort that crashed back off the crossbar, but his opening goal came from the rebound; latching on to a rehashed cross from Oli Greaves to tap Worksop in front.
Wilkinson grabs the glory
Half-time brought one substitution, as captain Josh Castiglione joined the proceedings in place of Louie Kudiabor, and his introduction spurred the Eagles into life.
An excellent point blank save from Dearnley denied the visitors an equaliser, but it wasn’t long before the leveller came as David Hicks slotted home into the bottom corner to restore parity.
Worksop almost responded immediately as Latvian midfielder, Aleksandrs Starcenko forced Walker into a smart stop, while Vaughan Redford also had a chance late on to snatch all three points.
But that glory fell to Bedford’s, Finley Wilkinson.
The striker found himself one-on-one with Dearnley and kept his composure to slot home the winner, much to the delight of the small but vocal travelling support.
It secured a fourth straight triumph, following wins against Buxton, Spennymoor and Radcliffe, while the Eagles are back on the road on Saturday (12 September) as they travel to face newly promoted, Spalding United.
Spalding have also been performing above expectations, currently in sixth, just a single point behind Bedford Town.
Real’s cup defence is over
Elsewhere, Real Bedford’s Bedfordshire Senior Cup defence fell at the first hurdle, as they lost their first competitive game of the season at home to Biggleswade FC at the Ledger Stadium.
Manager Rob Sinclair made a number of changes to his starting line-up, but they were unable to find a way through a resolute Biggleswade defence, who are the first team to win in the first round.
Alex Marsh’s penalty after 64 minutes was enough to down the Pirates, going on to face the winners of Leighton Town and Barton Rovers in the next round.
Luton Town and Arlesey Town received byes to the next round.
Real Bedford are back in league action on Saturday, hosting Redditch United and hoping to maintain their 100% league record with a seventh win from seven games.
