Real Bedford’s good form continued in Southern League Premier Central on Saturday (7 February) as they held on to beat Royston Town 2-1 at Garden Walk for a fifth consecutive league win.
A pair of Josh’s, both Allen and Setchell, were the goalscorers, with all three goals coming in the first half, although the Pirates had their goalkeeper, Craig King to thank for keeping their win intact in the closing stages with some key saves.
Real Bedford’s five straight league wins have all come in the space of almost two months as the wet weather continues to play havoc with their season, but they can claim a 100% record in 2026 so far with a series of convincing wins.
The ground staff at Garden Walk did an excellent job of making sure the most recent bout of rain did not affect this weekend’s fixture, although the Crows remain rooted to the bottom of the division on just 18 points.
For Real, they remain third on 50 points, a full ten off second place, Harborough Town and five ahead of Halesowen in sixth.
Setchell the match winner
Real’s home game against Harborough was postponed for a second time on Tuesday night (4 February), to add to the frustrations of all at the Ledger Stadium, but while many non-league games were postponed on Saturday, this one went ahead.
After nine minutes, perhaps manager Rob Sinclair was hoping it hadn’t, as the basement club went ahead thanks to an Adam Murray strike.
It took just six minutes for parity to be restored however, as Josh Allen sent Royston goalkeeper, Louis Chadwick the wrong way from the penalty spot for his 17th league goal of the season, before Setchell struck a winner five minutes from half-time.
The second goal had been coming; Allen, Ben Stevens, Drew Richardson and Lee Watkins were all denied in a first half full of opportunity for Real, before Setchell eventually found the back of the net via the post to give his side a 2-1 lead at the break.
Royston came out on the attack in the second half, but King was on hand after 50 minutes to deny them an equaliser, before Archie Jones hit the post for the visitors.
More chances went begging for Bedford, as Jones and Stevens missed the target twice apiece, and they were nearly made to pay at the death.
Ben Weyman hit the woodwork for a second time, after excellent build up play from Jack Morrell after 84 minutes, but from there, Royston would be the ones to batter down the Real door, only to be denied in brilliant fashion from King on two separate occasions.
Real held on for a 2-1 win, keeping them third in Southern League Premier Central ahead of their next game, in which they return to the Ledger Stadium to host Stratford Town.
