Real Bedford’s number nine, Joey Evans picked up where he left off last season with a goal either side of half-time to help his side to a 2-1 opening day victory against Spalding United in Southern League Premier Central.
Evans scored 39 league goals in helping Real secure the Southern League Division One Central title last season and he added two more instinctive finishes today, as the Pirates battled back from Jack Roberts’ first half opener for the visitors.
Everyone at the Ledger Stadium has acknowledged the challenges that lay ahead at step three, and it took a long time for Rob Sinclair’s men to settle in to their opening encounter as Spalding began the better.
It took just six minutes for Spalding to create a huge chance as Roberts had the freedom of Bedford to race clear one-on-one against the ever-present Tyler McGregor in the Pirates’ goal only to skew a simple effort wide of the post.
When a missed header from the otherwise assured, Sam Cartwright let in Bartosz Cybulski moments later, the alarm bells were ringing only for Real to be saved by a last ditch tackle from former Bedford Town defender, Jack Davies.
Conor Tee and Ben Stevens saw efforts denied up the other end before Spalding gained a deserved lead; a floated ball from the left wing evaded Jack Morrell for Roberts who made no mistake second time around.
Morrell – who was withdrawn at half-time after a tricky opening forty five minutes – almost gifted Roberts a second straight from the kick off only to recover to block his effort wide for a corner as Real Bedford were under the cosh.
Poacher Evans on hand to restore parity
Further efforts for the dangerous Roberts and Josh McCammon were kept out by McGregor before a sucker punch for the visitors as Real Bedford equalised in the fifth minute of added time at the end of the first half.
Josh Setchell was released down the right flank and fashioned a moment to chip in the inch perfect cross that found the forehead of Joey Evans who powered home from a couple of yards to restore parity.
It gave Sinclair’s group a boost heading into the second half, and sure enough it wasn’t long before the home side were ahead.
The assist came from the opposite flank this time; courtesy of another excellent cross from Archie Jones, who found Evans in a similar position to his first to volley home into the roof of the net.
From there however, the Real defence spent the majority of the second half on the back foot as the Tulips went sniffing for an equaliser of their own.
Their best opportunity fell to Cybulski as the ball broke for the striker in fortuitous fashion just six yards out, but McGregor was on hand to expertly keep him out, before bundling behind the rebound.
Further efforts from Ben Hart and captain, Liam Moore were also denied by the Bedford shot stopper as Spalding pressed for a leveller but they were unable to find a way through a resolute Real defence, led superbly by stand-in captain, Drew Richardson.
Substitutes, Jordan Nicholson and Real’s, Isaac Galliford both traded chances late on, but the score remained unchanged as Real Bedford kick off life at step three with a gritty 2-1 victory.
“We rode our luck”
It wasn’t plain sailing for a lot of the ninety minutes; a challenge that manager, Rob Sinclair acknowledged in his post-match interview.
“The boys stepped up today against a very, very good [Spalding] side who will be up there and I’m really proud of that performance.
“We showed good energy, good intensity and we’ll get better, but we need to be cleaner in possession.
We expected a physical battle and at times we rode our luck; they missed some big opportunities but on the whole, we’re really pleased.”
Real Bedford are back in action on Tuesday night (12 August) as they travel to Needham Market; a side who were relegated from National League North last season but lost their opening game today 4-0 away at fancied, Harborough Town.
