Real Bedford’s lead at the top of Southern League Premier Central remained at a single point on Saturday (17 October) after a straightforward 4-0 away win at basement club, Stamford.
Three first half goals from Josh Allen, Jordan Ponticelli and CJ Kiala put the game to bed before half-time, while a fourth for Jack Morrell in the second period ensured a simple afternoon’s work for Rob Sinclair’s men.
Hot on the Pirates’ heels are Bury Town, who are just a single point behind Real Bedford with the two sides due to meet at the Ledger Stadium on Tuesday (20 October).
On paper, that challenge will be far heftier than the one provided by a meek Stamford side, who already look in deep trouble at the foot of the division.
They only picked up their first point of the season in midweek; a 0-0 draw at Stratford Town following ten consecutive league defeats to start the campaign, and with a goal difference of minus 29, the writing is already on the wall.
Four more goals from a rampant Real Bedford did little to ease their fears, as the visitors enjoyed what will be one of the more comfortable Saturdays of a long season.
Three up at the break
The first half was plain sailing for Real, who found themselves 3-0 up at half-time.
Josh Allen opened the scoring with his 11th goal of the league season as the clock struck the quarter hour mark, collecting a flick on from strike partner, Jordan Ponticelli before slotting home into the bottom corner.
Eight minutes later, Ponticelli turned from provider to scorer, tapping home a cross from new signing, Callum Kane who joined from Hitchin Town at the beginning of the month.
Craig King in the Bedford goal was rarely called into action, although he did well to palm a Daniels shot away at his near post, before the game was done and dusted a minute before half-time.
Ben Stevens found himself in a pocket of space in the left channel, and proceeded to dink a beautiful cross to the back post where CJ Kiala was waiting to nod in a third to give Real a comfortable buffer at the interval.
The domination continued into the second half, with Ponticelli denied a brace on the hour mark after his goal was disallowed, while Real welcomed back Josh Setchell who returned from the bench after a long injury lay off.
The fourth and final goal of the afternoon came from the head of Jack Morrell, with Stevens picking up another assist from the corner, confirming the 4-0 win ahead of Tuesday night’s crunch tie against Bury Town.
That game kicks off at 7:45pm at the Ledger Stadium.
A win for Real Bedford will stamp their authority on a division many are expecting them to win, but their main challengers remain Bury Town and Bromsgrove, while Rushall Olympic and Peterborough Sports are also not far off the pace.
