Conor Tee’s second half tap in earned Real Bedford an attritional but vital 1-0 win against a belligerent Stratford Town in Southern League Premier Central on Saturday (14 January).
Tee’s 55th minute intervention was the difference in what was a largely dour affair, despite some second half flashpoints that raised the temperature, ending with a melee after the final whistle.
Those unsavoury scenes at the end, which are not an uncommon sight in non-league football, was perhaps the most entertaining part of a game that was flat for the majority.
Real Bedford came into the encounter well set in the play-off places, albeit some distance behind the league’s leading two in Spalding United and Harborough Town, while Stratford are also harbouring thoughts of a late surge towards the play-offs themselves.
They began the day in ninth, but it turned into another trip to the town to forget for former Bedford Town manager, Paul Davis as his side couldn’t find a response to Conor Tee’s second half tap in.
Meek first half
The first half saw just three shots on target in total, all of which came for the visitors.
Jourdain Masidi’s snap shot from the edge of the area was awkwardly stopped by Real goalkeeper King, while Lamine Sherif’s effort from a similar range was far easier for the Pirates’ shot stopper.
Max Lott was the beneficiary of the other shot on target, but his weak effort summed up a dour first half which was largely battled out in midfield.
Real’s two efforts were also from distance, but blocked by a resolute Stratford defence, who did an excellent job of keeping the home side at bay, although Stratford did threaten from Femi Olofinjana’s long throw towards the end of the half.
Second half flashpoints create talking points
It was that long throw that Paul Davis decided he was going to try and exploit to its maximum, introducing target man, Joshua Toluwaloju at half-time, and it almost paid immediate dividends.
Finlay Brennan’s corner five minutes into the second half found the head of Toluwaloju, only for the referee to disallow the goal for a foul on King; the first of a collection of controversial decisions that would shape the second period.
There was no contoversy surrounding what would end up being the game’s winner, as Ben Stevens found Archie Jones in the right channel, with the midfielder stinging in an inch perfect low cross for Conor Tee to tap home from a yard out.
The Real bench let out shouts of delight mixed with relief, for their opponents had stifled their attacking threat all game, but those shouts of delight would turn to shouts of derision as the second half wore on.
Sam Cartwright was denied Real’s second, as a recycled cross found the defender at the back post, but his looping header was cleared off the line by a blue shirt.
Jake Weaver’s incredible stop from an Allen header shortly after was the single best moment of quality in the match, but it was as close as Bedford would come as the second half became increasingly tense and fractious.
Controversial end
Josh Setchell was booked for diving in the penalty area, despite seemingly being caught from behind by Lewis Ison, before the winger was put off his stride by a pair of shirt pulls when trying to get a shot away; an effort that was eventually stopped again by Weaver.
With Stratford shirts piling forward in search of a late equaliser, Josh Allen was also sent clear and was through on goal only to be pulled back by Brennan, but again the referee waved the shouts away, much to the anger of a usually serene Rob Sinclair on the sidelines.
The away side also had a handball shout turned away at the other end, resulting in another square up between players, as both teams turned to brawn to get themselves to the end of the game.
The full-time whistle blew on a 1-0 Real Bedford win after six minutes of injury time, but there was still time for another melee, not aided by Real Bedford club captain, Lee Watkins who had sprinted on to the pitch to loudly celebrate having played no part in the game.
Players from both sides were lucky to escape without a card, and only when assistant manager, Mark Ducket ushered his players away from the scene of the crime did the game come to an eventual end.
The final result was a sixth straight league win for Real Bedford, who remain third in the division, 14 points behind leaders, Spalding but with five games in hand.
Harborough in second remain favourites for the title, four points off the top with four games in hand over Spalding.
Real Bedford are back in action on Tuesday night (17 February) as they look to recoup some of their lost games with a trip to Bishop’s Stortford.
