Real Bedford opened up a three point gap at the top of Southern League Central Division One once again in coasting past North Leigh 3-0 at Eynsham Park in Oxfordshire on Tuesday night (11 March).
Drew Richardson, Jack Morrell and Isaac Galliford were the goal scorers on a comfortable night for the Pirates ahead of key games coming up, including against title rivals, Berkhamsted.
North Leigh have won just one game all season and have picked up just eight points and they looked unlikely to add to that tally as Real Bedford set about opening the scoring from the off.
Three early opportunities for Joey Evans – who scored a rare blank – were missed before Ben Stevens hit the post in what were a number of big chances inside the opening twenty minutes.
Not long after the woodwork was struck, Real opened the scoring as Isaac Galliford’s cross was met by Drew Richardson who scored the easiest of finishes into an empty net.
Evans was then denied by a sensational save by Monty Marriott in the North Leigh goal, but it wasn’t long before Real doubled their lead as Jack Morrell glanced home a header via a Ben Stevens set piece.
“Professional performance”
The first half domination continued into the second, although Calvin Njoroge did give Tyler McGregor some work to do in the visiting goal before Galliford sealed the game, picking himself up off the floor after a strong challenge to poke home a third.
It allowed Real Bedford manager, Rob Sinclair to make some second half changes, including giving a rest to main stays, Evans and Stevens and despite North Leigh threatening a consolation goal, the score line remained 3-0 at the final whistle.
Sinclair praised his players for a “professional performance” on what was a far from perfect pitch in Oxfordshire.
“It was a professional away performance, not easy after a tough game on Saturday and a two hour journey tonight”, said Sinclair.
“We didn’t have a chance to train or recover properly, so I’m happy.
“For the first 25 minutes in the first half, it could have been five or six; we did exactly what we wanted to do.”
“I went to watch [next opponents] Northwood, they’ve had a lot of changes since we last played them so it’s going to be a tough game”
There are just nine league fixtures remaining, and Real Bedford are now three points clear of chasing Berkhamsted, while also benefiting from a game in hand, due to be played on 25 March against lowly, Stotfold.
Sinclair’s attention will no doubt be on Saturday’s home clash against another side battling against relegation in Northwood, but undoubtedly all roads lead to Broadwater on 22 March as Real Bedford face Berkhamsted.
Three points in Hertfordshire will surely secure a third successive league title; an almost unprecedented feat in non-league football.
Real Bedford face Northwood on Saturday 15 March at the Ledger Stadium with a kick off time of 3pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
