Real Bedford bounced back in the league with a comfortable 3-0 away win in the capital and cement third place in the Spartans South Midlands Premier Division.
London Lions had only won two of their nine league games and didn’t put up much of a fight as goals from Joey Evans, Ben Stevens and Mo Ahmed meant all three points were brought back to Bedford Borough.
A 4-1 home loss to league leaders, St Panteleimon a fortnight ago showed that Real are not going to have things all their own way in this campaign, but their attacking prowess once again shone through in a dominant display in London.
Joey Evans scored his 14th goal of the season as he latched on to a through ball from Ben Stevens to flick over the keeper.
Stevens turned from provider to goalscorer early in the second half, as he raced through on to a Mo Ahmed pass before Ahmed completed the win with a goal of his own late on.
Last weekend, the Pirates coasted past Flackwell Heath in the FA Vase – Joey Evans once again with a brace – but Rob Sinclair’s side will once again come up against Milton Keynes Irish in the next round.
That meeting will be the third already this season, with Real squeezing past Milton Keynes 1-0 on the opening league game of the season before Irish exacted revenge, beating Real 4-3 in the FA Cup.
Real Ladies progress
Talking of the FA Cup, Real Bedford Ladies showed their dominance with a stunning 9-2 away victory at Hackney to progress to the next round.
A hat trick from Natasha Fensome was the highlight of an excellent afternoon’s work as they now progress into the third qualifying round, the draw of which takes place on Monday.
