Both Bedford Town and Real Bedford were back in Southern League action on Tuesday night (13 August) with the Eagles getting on the board in Southern League Premier Central after a 1-1 draw, while Real were in prolific form at Barton.
After a 1-0 opening day loss at Spalding United, Bedford Town scored their first points against ten-man Royston in a home game played at Biggleswade United as Real Bedford in the division below sent out a warning to the rest of Southern League Central Division One with a 4-0 win away from home.
Read: Bedford Town lose Southern League Premier opener but Real win at home
Eagles manager, Lee Bircham lamented his side’s first twenty minutes on Saturday in a spell that proved crucial and it looked to be heading for a case of déjà vu in Biggleswade as Royston opened the scoring early on.
After a quiet start for both sides, Luke Johnson was on hand at the back post to direct a header home after eighteen minutes for the visitors.
Rob Hall’s free kick was saved moments after for the home side but goalmouth action was thin on the ground in the first period, although the second half was quickly set alight with a flash of red.
It was namesake, Charlie Johnson who saw red for Royston on the hour mark for bringing down Ryan Blake in the penalty area and it was Leon Lobjoit who slotted home the resulting penalty to restore parity.
Both sides had chances to take all three points; Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo’s snap shot from outside the area well tipped over by Dixon-Hodge in the Crows’ goal before Daniel Izekor missed a glorious opportunity late on by blazing over from ten yards out for Royston.
As it was, the points were shared in a 1-1 draw and Bedford Town lie in 16th ahead of Saturday’s trip to Halesowen Town.
100% start continues for Real
Meanwhile, across the county, Real Bedford were honing their league start and they made it two league wins from two with a scintillating 4-0 victory at Barton Rovers.
There were just 11 minutes on the clock when Jack Morrell opened the scoring for the Pirates after finding himself on the end of a Ben Stevens corner and despite only going into the break with a one-goal advantage, Real put the pedal to the metal in the second half.
Using the slope of the pitch to their advantage, their hard work was rewarded when the dangerous Ben Stevens, who had been a constant threat, delivered a low cross that evaded everyone except for the oncoming Lee Watkins.
He calmly slotted the ball home for his first league goal for the Pirates, and when Joey Evans made it three from the penalty spot, the game was over.
There was still time for Stevens to net a deserved fourth; his third in two league games, to give Rob Sinclair’s side a 4-0 victory to ensure their 100% record remains intact along with four other sides in the division.
Real Bedford are back at the Ledger Stadium on Saturday as they host Welwyn Garden City.
