Real Bedford leapfrogged two clubs up to third in Southern League Premier Central after three quickfire first half goals helped them to a 3-1 away victory at the division’s bottom club, Stamford.
Three strikes in 11 first half minutes from Archie Jones, Josh Allen and Conor Tee was enough for another Southern League win – their fourth in a row – as Stamford remain rooted to the bottom with just one win all season.
Despite their lowly league status, Stamford did cause Rob Sinclair’s men problems throughout the match, with Pirates keeper, Craig King regularly called into action in another fine performance between the sticks.
The hosts started the better with chances for Kyle Rowley and Harry Vince; King keeping the latter out in fine style, before Allen and Elliot Simmons tested Tom Jackson at the other end.
A brief scare for Real was averted as King was treated by the physios, but within minutes, the game was done and dusted in a brutal burst of goalscoring from an attacking line in fine form.
Mo Ahmed set up the first, playing in Archie Jones who took it round the advancing Jackson to tap home into an empty net.
Two further goals in first half injury time were painful ones for Stamford; the first of which was a delightful lob from Josh Allen as he assessed his options from the edge of the area, before Conor Tee mopped up a Ben Stevens effort to tap in a third in the sixth minute of added time.
Tonge penalty not enough
It was a touch harsh on a Stamford side who had their chances throughout the first half, including for Fletcher Toll who once again forced King into a good save, while there was also a strong penalty appeal against Jack Thomas before the blitz of goals occurred.
They also came out for the second half on the front foot and should have got a goal back, but there was no one on the end of former Bedford Town captain, Alex Collard’s cross before King again denied Toll.
Josh Allen then thought he had his second goal of the afternoon, before the linesman’s flag denied him, and it wasn’t long before Stamford gained their deserved goal via the penalty spot.
Manni Norkett, on as one of three half-time substitutes, was brought down in the area, and it was left for Kai Tonge to send King the wrong way from the spot and give his side a hope.
They too had a goal disallowed as Toll scrambled the ball home, only to be brought back for a foul on King, but it was the closest the Daniels would get as Real Bedford comfortably held on for a 3-1 victory.
Defeats for Quorn and Redditch United – against Needham Market and Kettering respectively – leaves Real in third with eight league wins and 27 points ahead of a return to FA Trophy action next weekend.
Real Bedford face a tricky tie at fellow Southern League Premier Central side, Alvechurch in the second round next Saturday (15 November), before travelling to Bury Town in the league three days later.
They’re back at the Ledger Stadium on 22 November as they host fellow high-flyers, Quorn.
