Real Bedford fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at fellow Southern League Premier Central side, Alvechurch in the second round of the FA Trophy on Saturday (15 November), but eventually fell 4-3 on penalties.
There is no extra time in the FA Trophy, so with the two sides deadlocked at a goal apiece, it was left to the lottery of spot kicks, with Ethan Sephton slotting home to the winning penalty to take the Church through to the third round.
Real Bedford have been in fine form throughout October and into November, sitting fourth in Southern League Premier Central, while their Worcestershire-based opponents are sat comfortably in mid table.
The game passed an early morning pitch inspection at Lye Meadow, and within eight minutes of kick off, the hosts were in front.
Moments after Real’s Archie Jones had sent the game’s first shot over the bar, Kieran Wakefield pounced at the other end to give the home side a lead to hold on to.
Further efforts from Jonny Ngandu and Frank Tattum were spurned; the latter due to a cascade of Real shirts in the way, as Alvechurch had the better of the opening twenty minutes.
Real slowly worked their way into the game throughout the first 45 minutes; efforts from Mo Ahmed, Conor Tee and a header from Sam Cartwright meant they were getting frequent shots on goal, without much reward.
Callum Sullivan’s effort over Craig King’s crossbar was the final act of a fairly even first half.
Stevens equalises to no avail
Real’s talismanic playmaker, Ben Stevens was introduced at the half-time stage, and his impact was almost immediate.
It took until the hour mark after a slow and uneventful start to the half, but the number ten was on hand to stamp his authority on the game with a slightly deflected effort that flew past Redman Evans in the Church goal to restore parity.
With thirty minutes left on the clock, Real looked best placed to go on and win it; a chance for Joey Evans was stopped at point-blank range by his namesake in the Alvechurch goal, while a free kick from Lewis Hilliard flew narrowly wide.
Stevens almost bagged a brace, only to miss the target from a tight angle, while Alvechurch’s second half chances were largely restricted to a dangerous ball across the face of King’s goal that couldn’t find a yellow shirt.
The full-time whistle brought the promise of penalties, and Real were in control for a lot of a topsy-turvy shoot out, despite Stevens missing the opening spot kick.
Back-to-back King saves from Ngandu and Josh Dugmore put Bedford into the ascendency, leaving Hilliard the opportunity to win it only for his effort to be saved by Evans in the Alvechurch goal.
Ben Weyman then sent his effort over the bar, leaving Ethan Sephton to claim the glory, seeing his side to Monday’s third round draw, which will take place at 3:15pm.
Real Bedford are back in league action in just three days time, as they make the long trip to Bury Town before returning to the Ledger Stadium next Saturday (22 November), hosting fellow promoted side, Quorn FC.
