Real Bedford increased their league lead at the top of Spartans South Midlands Premier Division to nine points, but not without their moments as they battled to four points from two games in quick succession.
A late penalty miss meant the Pirates could only draw at home to Baldock Town on Saturday before a solitary Archie Jones goal saw Rob Sinclair’s side edge past Stansted on Tuesday night.
Crucially however, Milton Keynes Irish, chasing in second place have a whole three games in hand.
Such has been Real’s season, the expectations on them have mounted and many would have hoped – almost expected – the home side to stroll past 15th placed, Baldock Town on Saturday afternoon but that was not the case.
Chances came and went for the usual suspects in Joey Evans, Archie Jones and Mo Ahmed in the first half an hour, although Evans did find the game’s opening goal with an excellent half volley just before half-time.
The visitors came out of the traps fast in the second half, with Malaki Black’s equaliser coming direct from a corner and when Jamie Breen slotted home moments later, Real found themselves in the unfamiliar position of trailing.
Real Bedford equalised just two minutes later as Ben Stevens tapped home to restore parity and when Malaki Black handled on the line for the visitors, getting sent off in the process, Real had a real opportunity to steal all three points.
David Arches in the Baldock goal saved the resulting penalty from Evans, as well as the follow up from Ahmed as he kept the score at 2-2 and earnt Town an unexpected point.
Three points from Stansted
Three days later, Real headed south east to face Stansted in a rearranged fixture from Halloween when Rob Sinclair’s side had a lucky escape when the floodlights gave out at Hargrave Park, causing an abandonment with his side 2-0 down.
It was once again a tough battle for Real but they came out on top by a single goal, scored by Archie Jones to open up a nine point gap from Milton Keynes Irish, although the Buckinghamshire side last played a league game on 13th January.
Points in the bag is always the ideal scenario, but should Irish win their games in hand, they will be joint top.
Ladies thrash Watford to keep up cup hopes
Real Bedford Ladies’ journey towards a league and cup double took another step forward on Sunday as Georgia Clarke’s side mauled Watford Development 11-2 on home turf.
Gemma Croucher and Francesca Partridge both scored a brace apiece after Holly Wilks had given the away side an early lead before the floodgates opened in the second half.
Partridge completed her hat-trick and Neve Mayes also scored two but Natasha Fensome outscored them all with four second half goals of her own to take Real into double figures and beyond.
An Andrearna Dunbar-Bonnie goal for Watford was a mere consolation as Real Bedford go on to face either Luton Town or St Albans City in the semi-final of the league cup, which takes place away from home on 3rd March.
