Real Bedford suffered only their second league defeat of the season as they fell in an entertaining but ultimately disappointing 3-2 loss at Kings Langley on Tuesday night (17 December).
In doing so, they have handed the initiative back to Berkhamsted in the Southern League Central Division One title race, spurning their game in hand and remaining just a single point behind their Hertfordshire rivals.
Only Welwyn Garden City had beaten Real in the league before Tuesday night, but Kings Langley ended up being good value for their triumph, although they did have some assistance.
Tom Hitchcock opened the scoring after 23 minutes, pouncing on a rebound after Adisorn Connolly in the Kings goal parried away a shot from Ty Ward but it was a lead Real could not hold on to for long.
Bradley Smith latched on to a through ball and calmly slotted it into the bottom corner for his 7th league goal of the season to restore parity, with both sides going into the break level at 1-1.
Keeper howler gifts Langley the lead
Tyler McGregor has been an ever-present in the Real Bedford goal this season and has had an impressive campaign so far, but the Pirates’ shot stopper was at fault for the goal that would give the home side the lead.
It looked like a simple gathering of a bouncing ball, but the slippery conditions played a part in McGregor spilling it into the path of James Towell who won’t have an easier finish all season.
When Darnell Luke smashed home a third with a little over fifteen minutes remaining – albeit at the third time of asking – the writing was on the wall for the visitors and despite a late Drew Richardson consolation, Real Bedford ended up on the losing side.
“It was evident that we didn’t hit our levels, similar to Saturday’s first half and they deserved the win”, said manager Rob Sinclair after the game.
“We came away from what we’re good at and when you do that you get punished so it’s our job to sort that for Saturday.”
That game on Saturday is back at the Ledger Stadium against Aylesbury United, and although Real Bedford are far from panic stations, Sinclair will be hoping for a quick response before a good side like Berkhamsted get away from them.
The two sides face each other in a re-arranged fixture on Tuesday 14th January before the reverse fixture takes place on Saturday 22nd March at Broadwater; a fixture that could be key in determining the destination of the title.
Flackwell Heath, Barton Rovers and Hadley are still dangerous in behind while the aforementioned Welwyn are still lurking but with over half the season still to go, there’s still plenty of time for all of that to change.
Real are back at home on Saturday (21 December) and will look to bounce back against another mid-table side in Aylesbury United.
The game kicks off at 3pm.
