Two late goals from talisman, Ben Stevens helped Real Bedford to an excellent 4-1 away victory at Redditch United on Saturday (11 April).
The victory all but confirms Real’s spot in the Southern League Premier Central play-offs, where they could yet face Redditch United again, with Saturday’s triumph a morale-boosting win in their pursuit of the National League.
Beginning the day eight points clear of Kettering in sixth, Real Bedford have been all but confirmed in the play-offs for a number of weeks now, but Saturday’s victory at the Valley Stadium puts it beyond any doubt.
The final 4-1 scoreline may not have been a fair reflection on an even encounter, but three goals within the final ten minutes put a gloss on the scoreboard that will certainly give manager, Rob Sinclair a welcome bounce.
Goalless at the break
Redditch enjoyed the best moments of a cagey first quarter, with Danny King forcing his namesake, Craig into the game’s first save, before Tyler Bruck’s goal bound effort was tipped over the crossbar.
Josh Allen, who had 25 league goals to his name this season before the start of play, had the ball in the back of the net for what he thought was his 26th, only to be denied by an offside flag.
Sam Cartwright almost scored a fortuitous opener on the brink of the break, after Conor Tee’s effort struck the centre back and diverted towards goal, only to see it trickle wide as both sides went into half-time level.
Joe Neeson was forced into an early save at his near post for the hosts in the early stages of the second half, and before the hour mark, his side were ahead.
Moments after Bruck’s long range effort flew just inches wide, it was centre back Alex Foreshaw who broke the deadlock, nodding in Bruck’s corner.
Real hit back
Foreshaw’s header spurred Real into another gear, and despite a second disallowed goal – this time for Archie Jones – it wasn’t long before Allen had his 26th league goal, getting a toe on the end of a Stevens strike to divert it home, despite whispers of it already heading in.
Stevens may yet claim his hat-trick in a second half where he claimed three goal contributions; with his confirmed two goals settling the contest.
The game looked to be drifting towards a draw, but Stevens would have other ideas as his double intervention put Real into the ascendency.
Receiving the ball from Jones, he made space on to his left foot and fired home via both posts to put the Pirates 2-1 in front after 84 minutes, before securing the three points just four minutes later.
In a move involving Cartwright, Tee and substitute Ben Weyman, the ball found its way to the right boot of Stevens who once again calmly found the bottom corner with precision.
Jack Morrell’s fourth in stoppage time was the icing on the cake, and while not mathematically certain, the win will give Rob Sinclair and his team massive confidence heading into the lottery of the Southern League play-offs.
They can make certain of their spot with victory over Leiston back at the Ledger Stadium on Tuesday (14 April), before games against Alvechurch and Bromsgrove Sporting complete their regular campaign.
