In a surprising turn of events, St Neots Town, playing in the United Counties Premier League South, ended Real Bedford’s FA Cup dream with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Southern League side at the newly-named Ledger Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The match, part of the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round fixtures, showcased an exhilarating level of football, ultimately crushing Real Bedford's aspirations for a cup run at the earliest stage.

A Shocking Start and a Rollercoaster First Half

Source: https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/st-neots-shock-the-pirates-as-real-bedford-dumped-out-of-the-fa-cup/

The opening minutes saw Real Bedford struggling to find their rhythm, with St Neots presenting a formidable challenge. As early as the fourth minute, Kieran Barnes netted the first goal, capitalising on a brilliant cross from the ever-dangerous Connor Furlong, putting St Neots ahead. The pressure mounted on Real Bedford as St Neots continued to dominate, nearly doubling their lead within moments through further chances squandered by Furlong and Rhys Thorpe.

Real Bedford finally found their footing after a slow start. Their breakthrough came from a spectacular free kick by Ben Stevens, whose precise twenty-five yard strike brought the scores level. The match became increasingly competitive, with end-to-end action that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Magic Debut Goal and Further Drama

As the game progressed, both sides exchanged numerous chances. Real Bedford’s debutant Jack Snelus made a sensational impact with an incredible overhead kick, placing his team in the lead. However, St Neots remained resilient, and Jordan Brown's timely cross allowed Thorpe to equalise just before halftime, despite a contentious offside decision.

Second Half Tension and Late Heartbreak

The thrill continued into the second half with both teams pushing hard for the upper hand. Mo Ahmed missed a crucial opportunity for Real Bedford, which was followed by a brief stoppage due to an injury to Snelus. This break enabled St Neots to regroup and regain momentum.

Shortly after the hour mark, a penalty was awarded to St Neots, offering them a golden chance to retake the lead. Although Kieran Barnes' effort was saved by Real’s goalkeeper Tyler McGregor, the drama was far from over. Michael Amaeshike later missed a clear-cut header for Real Bedford, further adding to their woes.

The decisive moment arrived when a St Neots corner inadvertently resulted in an own goal by Jacques Kpohomouh, another debutant for Real Bedford. Despite a late surge, the hosts could not secure an equaliser, sealing their fate in the competition.

An Entertaining Encounter but Hard-Hitting Outcome

Fans witnessed a highly entertaining match featuring five goals, a penalty miss, and numerous flashpoints. However, for Real Bedford, the outcome is a significant blow. Losing to a lower league team raises questions about their readiness, although credit must be given to St Neots' exceptional performance, particularly from Rhys Thorpe, Furlong, Brown, and Barnes.

There was also some dissatisfaction over the pitch conditions, which, while visually impeccable, may have hampered Real Bedford's usual slick play due to the length of the grass.

Looking Ahead

Attention now shifts to the league for Rob Sinclair’s side as they aim to bounce back from this setback. They are set to face Hertford Town in the Southern League Central Division One at the Ledger Stadium next weekend. Meanwhile, St Neots Town will prepare for their next FA Cup fixture against either Edgware & Kingsbury or Crawley Green, following their draw which necessitates a replay.

In other FA Cup action, Kempston Rovers also faced elimination, succumbing to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Brightlingsea Regent from the Isthmian League. The FA Cup journey continues to offer unpredictable and thrilling football, reaffirming its reputation as one of the most exciting competitions in the sport.