Real Bedford bounced back to winning ways after a 3-1 victory at relegation threatened, Northwood on Saturday afternoon.
First half goals from Ben Stevens, Tom Hitchcock and Josh Setchell were more than enough for Real Bedford to pick up their first win in three league games in Middlesex.
Real Bedford’s own high standards had taken a knock in the past fortnight with back-to-back draws against Leighton Town and Hadley, but they bounced back to winning ways on Saturday in relatively comfortable style.
Ben Stevens broke the deadlock after just five minutes; a move began thanks to a great pass from captain, Lee Watkins out to Josh Setchell who subsequently squared to Stevens to tap home to give the Pirates an early lead.
Tom Hitchcock doubled the lead after ten minutes in similar fashion, finishing off Callum Nicolson’s cross and at that point, it felt like it would be a long afternoon for a Northwood side who began the day three points off safety in the relegation zone.
When Josh Setchell scored Real’s third, responding quickest on the rebound after a Stevens shot struck the post, Rob Sinclair’s side had almost sealed the points before the home side could get a shot off on goal.
Cassius Joseph did keep McGregor honest shortly after, but that was just one of two shots that Northwood could muster in a first half that went as expected.
Northwood hold Real at bay
As has become relatively common for Real Bedford, and much to Sinclair’s frustration, they took a step back in the second half with chances few and far between in the second period.
Hitchcock’s simple shot was saved by former Besiktas shot stopper, Hafad Al-Droubi in the home goal on the hour mark before Northwood were gifted a sniff late on with a penalty that Troy Perez-Duah converted.
They could make no further inroads however as Real Bedford bring all three points back to the Ledger Stadium, where they return next Saturday (7 December) in a huge game against fellow title challengers, Berkhamsted.
Elsewhere in the division, Hadley lost ground on the top two as they fell 3-0 at home to Flackwell Heath who leapfrog their opponents into third place.
Barton Rovers have smuggled in to the play-off spots with a 4-0 win against bottom side, North Leigh, their sixth win in seven league games.
Down at the bottom, Northwood remain in the relegation zone, three points behind Biggleswade FC, who lost 2-0 against league leaders, Berkhamsted.
