Real Bedford remain third in Southern League Premier Central despite failed efforts to break down a stubborn Worcester City at the Ledger Stadium on Tuesday night (17 March), with the game finishing 0-0.
Rob Sinclair’s Real Bedford dominated large parts of the clash, with his opposite number, Chris Cornes calling it, “a big, big point” as he set up his side to frustrate the hosts in the latest of Real’s re-arranged league clashes.
Frustrate is what they did, as Real Bedford could not find a way through despite a number of chances.
The night started in a bad way for Worcester as they had to make an early substitution, with Paul Downing off injured, to be replaced by Logan Stoddart, but their defensive endeavour throughout the rest of the 90 minutes saw them earn a fighting draw.
Real Bedford had the better of the first quarter, as Josh Allen fired wide early on before Josh Setchell drew the first save of the night from visiting goalkeeper, Sam Kane.
There were also a number of yellow cards shown for both sides with tackles flying in, with the first period ending in controversial fashion as both sides felt they should have been awarded a spot kick.
First, Conor Tee’s shot at goal hit a Worcester hand, before Ackeme Francis-Burrell went down at the other end, but both shouts were waved away by the referee, who was certainly kept busy throughout a fractious first half.
Charlie Lutz’s low effort from a Connor Stanley cross flew just wide in the opening stages of the second half, but goalmouth action became an increasingly rare occurrence for the Blues in a second half that saw Worcester pinned further and further back by an advancing Bedford.
Drew Richardson saw a decent chance miss the target, while Conor Tee’s deflected effort headed over as Real turned the screw, but Worcester had their goalkeeper Kane, and a belligerent defensive line in front of him, to thank as the visitors held on for a point.
Harry Burns’ first time effort from a flicked on corner narrowly went over for Worcester in their only other effort in the half, but the last third was largely controlled by Real, although the final touch eluded them all evening.
Ben Stevens was denied by Kane late on, tipping his corner bound shot round the post, and more late efforts were blocked as Worcester held firm, leaving Real Bedford to accept their fate and just a single point added to their play-off hunt.
For Worcester, they too are harbouring hopes of a late play-off push, with teams beginning to gather in behind. Worcester remain eighth, just three points off the play-offs, with Kettering thrashing AFC Sudbury 6-0 to join them on 54 points.
Real Bedford are back in action this Saturday (21 March) as they host Stamford at the Ledger Stadium; a side who are battling to avoid an untimely drop to step four.
