Real Bedford continued their good league form on Saturday afternoon after soaking up an impressive comeback from Aylesbury Vale Dynamos at McMullen Park to open up a two-point advantage at the top of the table.
Leverstock Green’s 94th minute equaliser at Milton Keynes Irish leaves the Buckinghamshire side two points behind Real at the top of Spartans South Midlands Premier Division, while Rob Sinclair’s team eventually beat a spirited Aylesbury side.
Two goals in three minutes towards the end of the first half, from Tom Hitchcock and Josh Setchell, looked to set Real on their way to a 13th victory in 15 league games.
Hitchcock was first to pounce on a loose ball in the Aylesbury area, spinning away from his defender and slotting home before Josh Setchell doubled the lead a few moments later.
To their credit, Aylesbury fought back admirably and pulled a goal back courtesy of Martin Lancaster and despite going into the break a goal down, the visitors quickly found parity with an equaliser from Abu Khan at the start of the second half.
Hurst cracker secures three points
The fightback kicked Real Bedford into gear and on the hour, a moment of magic saw Real back in front.
Youngster, Harry Hurst, who only signed for the Pirates a couple of weeks ago, found himself with the ball 25 yards out and attempted an audacious lob that flew over the Aylesbury keeper and in off the bar.
That goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Aylesbury and Real were not going to give them another look back in as the ever dependable, Ben Stevens scored Real’s fourth before Tom Hitchcock rounded off another win with his second of the afternoon.
The 5-2 victory sees Rob Sinclair’s side up to 40 points ahead of Milton Keynes Irish on 38. The two sides have created a gap of five points from the chasing pack of FC Romania, St Panteleimon and Leverstock Green.
The Ladies’ League Cup tie against Wootton Blue Cross was postponed on Sunday afternoon due to a waterlogged pitch, while Bedford Town’s local derby against Kempston Rovers on Saturday afternoon was also postponed.
