Real Bedford were once again in the goals on Saturday afternoon as they blew Biggleswade FC away with a 6-2 hammering at the Ledger Stadium in Southern League Central Division One.
Names from the Premier League of years gone past were in attendance in former Tottenham defender, Mauricio Taricco alongside former Chelsea midfielder, Gus Poyet and they were left impressed in another attacking masterclass from Real.
Both Archie Jones and Ben Stevens were at the double alongside strikes for Drew Richardson and Tom Hitchcock, starting from the off in the absence of the injured Joey Evans, as Real Bedford were once again a potent attacking force.
The deadlock was broken inside five minutes as Josh Setchell was released for the first time down the right wing and his square ball found Archie Jones whose shot squirmed under the body of Biggleswade keeper, George Rose.
Ben Stevens, who had earlier lifted a delicious chip just over the crossbar, once again went close moments after but his scorching drive was beaten away by Rose before the Pirates doubled their advantage, albeit in controversial fashion.
Tom Hitchcock was bundled over in the penalty area as a corner floated in, with the referee pointing to the spot and the striker picked himself up to slot home comfortably past a diving Rose into the left hand side netting.
After a lengthy injury stoppage to Real’s new signing, Malachi Soile, Real Bedford had their third.
Once again, it was the dangerous Setchell who was the creator, in similar fashion to the first, but this time his cross found Stevens whose strike found the bottom corner despite the best efforts of a green shirt on the line.
By this point, Biggleswade had not laid a glove on McGregor’s goal but they were unfortunate not to get a penalty of their own as Daniel Bond was brought down in the Real area, before he had a strike disallowed for offside on the stroke of half-time.
Real storm clear
It wasn’t long before the game was out of sight.
Charlie Hayford’s free kick for Biggleswade floated over in the early throws of the second half, before Jones scored his second of the afternoon with the goal of the game.
A neat team move in midfield featuring Richardson, Galliford and Stevens was finished with aplomb by Jones off the far post to put Real Bedford into an unassailable 4-0 lead.
In similar fashion to last week’s win however – a 5-1 victory against Kidlington – the home side took their foot off the gas allowing the visitors a series of chances.
Adam Hunt hit the crossbar with a strike from distance before McGregor was forced into a double save, first from Bond and then again from Hunt, as well as a golden chance for Rio Martucci, as Biggleswade began to make an impression.
The next goal was Real’s however as Isaac Galliford’s shot was guided home by Drew Richardson before Biggleswade eventually made it on to the scoresheet.
Daniel Bond finally got his goal thanks to smart work down the left by Temilola Akinbusoye before the substitute bundled home a second for the visitors.
Any hint of a comeback was quickly snuffed out by Ben Stevens however, as the Pirates playmaker struck a sixth for Real who recorded another big win at the top of the division.
Goal difference
Real Bedford have a goal difference of plus 37, almost double that of the next highest, Real Bedford’s soon-to-be opponents, third placed Hadley. They were also 6-2 victors today, at bottom side, North Leigh.
Even without Evans, left out as a precaution, Real Bedford possess an attacking force of quality and depth. Setchell and Stevens have been main stays this season, along with Isaac Galliford, but the return of Archie Jones has boosted them further.
That is without the injured Mo Ahmed – who suffered a partial ACL tear in the first league game of the season – as well as Jack Snelus who also suffered a serious knee injury on debut.
With the pace of Eniola Agemoh-Davies also waiting in the wings, Rob Sinclair is not short of attacking options should injuries and suspensions hit later in the season.
Biggleswade FC are also a good side, evidenced in making national headlines as they reached the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before succumbing 3-1 against National League side, York.
That Real Bedford made such light work of them is an ominous sign for the rest of the title challengers in this eighth tier division.
One of them are Hadley, and they will be the visitors to the Ledger Stadium in a fortnight’s time but not before Rob Sinclair’s side host Leighton Town on Tuesday 12 November.
