Real Bedford took a huge step towards confirming their spot in the Southern League Premier Central play-offs as Jack Morrell came off the bench to score a 96th-minute winner against Halesowen in front of a bumper crowd at the Ledger Stadium.
In a typically tight affair that could have gone either way, Morrell’s defining strike with almost the last kick of the game leaves Real Bedford eight points clear of sixth-placed, Quorn, with a game in hand and six games remaining.
A season record crowd of 1,133 were present at the Ledger Stadium, with many in attendance as part of Real Bedford Chairman, Peter McCormack’s ‘Cheat Code’ bitcoin conference that was held at the Corn Exchange on Friday (27 March).
Wrapped up against the biting wind, they were treated to an excellent battle between two of the division’s better footballing sides, and were treated to their dramatic moment in the final minute.
Real respond to late equaliser
Halesowen, also chasing a play-off spot in this division, perhaps shaded a relatively even first half with chances falling for both sides.
Real had the first opening, with the impressive Josh Setchell carving an opening for Harry Gray, whose acrobatic volley sailed just over, before Halesowen’s Jason Cowley went up the other end and fashioned an opening for himself, only to see his effort kept out by King in the Bedford goal.
Halesowen’s first half chances fell almost exclusively for Cowley, who also saw a wonderful volley from 35 yards fly just over the bar, before a far better chance for the number nine was headed straight at King.
Their best chance of the half however fell to Jordan Ponticelli, who was the recipient of a speculative long ball forward and found himself with acres of space in the Bedford box, only to aim his volley narrowly wide of the far post.
The visitors also had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, while Real half chances fell for Josh Allen and Gray, as both sides went into the break deadlocked.
Real Bedford, playing against the wind in the second half, began the period well as Allen was denied thanks to a mix of Mitch Roberts and Dan Platt in the Halesowen goal, before a wonderful last ditch tackle from Shaheim Ward stopped Ponticelli in his tracks when in goal.
It would be a monumental defensive moment, as Real Bedford found themselves in front a minute later.
Setchell the difference
Josh Setchell, who caused a mountain of problems for the Halesowen back line throughout the second half, was released down the right wing, and he sauntered into the penalty area to power home a shot in to the near post to give Real a valuable lead.
Ben Stevens almost immediately put the hosts two to the good, but his shot was saved by Platt, before Cowley had another chance from a corner, only to see his diversion from Kellerman’s corner find the gloves of King.
Ryan Wollacott also had a fine opportunity, firing over from six yards for Halesowen, while Josh Smile also curled an effort over. Another excellent piece of defending from Ward also denied Ponticelli again as the visitors turned up the heat in search of a leveller.
It deservedly came on 81 minutes, as substitute Fin Holmes broke clear down the left wing, aiming a cross to the back post, where Cowley was on hand to nod it back across goal to Ponticelli who couldn’t miss from a yard.
It looked to be the final moment of a compelling game, but Real Bedford came roaring back and claimed a last gasp winner in the final minute of six minutes added on.
Again, it was Setchell who kicked the move off; his ball across the face of the box was aimed at Ben Weyman, but it kept on travelling all the way to the other side, where Jack Morrell was waiting to plant an excellent first time finish into the opposite corner.
It was the final act of a game that sees Real Bedford well set for a shot at the play-offs as they go in search of a fourth straight promotion, and a spot in the National League.
They do have some tough assignments before that point however, beginning with a trip to Kettering Town on Good Friday (3 April) before hosting Bishop’s Stortford on Easter Monday.
Redditch Utd, Alvechurch and Bromsgrove are also ahead, but it will be a big shock now if Real Bedford don’t extend their season beyond 25 April, as a play-off campaign looms large.
