AFC Dunstable 2 Real Bedford 0

AFC Dunstable 2-0 Real Bedford

Tuesday 4th February 2025

Another trip to Kenilworth Road to contest the Beds County Cup (to play Barton Rovers) was

achieved in a relatively comfortable win over a very good Real Bedford side on a thoroughly

enjoyable evening in front of a decent crowd.

The game started very cautiously with neither team really creating any chances to speak of in the

first 20 minutes, although the standard of football on display was good – clearly both teams had the

intention of playing the ball on the deck. The visitors were probably just on top in this period and

there were several forays down the wings on both sides but with no real end product.

Real Bedford had a couple of decent opportunities mid way through the first half – the first one was

a good breakaway which ended with Matt pulling off a good save and then a shot that whistled just

wide of the post. AFCs best chance came following some decent approach play after a great run

from Kyle Lynch but there was no opportunity to get a shot off. 0-0 at half time.

AFC started the second half with real purpose – Sean had the ball in the net with 10 minutes gone

but the flag had already gone up for an easy offside decision by the linesman on the near side. This

was just the spark we needed as a couple of minutes later we took the lead. Sean won the ball after

some great work and determination in the top left corner and played the ball to Kyle Brooks who

smacked the ball past the visitors keeper. It was all AFC now and chances followed in quick

succession – Sean had a looping effort that ended in the keepers arms a couple of minutes after the

goal. The next opportunity came soon after that – a free kick was played towards the far post which

was headed back to George who’s shot was deflected and spun towards the goal – the ball looked to

have gone over the line but the officials decided it had not gone in.

With 77 minutes on the clock, a superb through ball by Kyle Lynch was played on to Ollie and then to

Albert in the box who was clearly tripped by the desperate defender – a clear penalty. Sean stepped

up to take it and hit the ball low and hard to the keepers left giving him absolutely no chance – a

superbly taken penalty to put us 2-0 up and firmly in control.

Good game management saw the home team largely in control for the remainder of the game. A

couple more half chances came and went – George and Albert had decent efforts – the first one

blocked and then a shot straight at the keeper. 5 minutes were added at the end of the second half

which turned in to a couple more. Although we were never under any major pressure it was great to

hear the final whistle.

Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to the Kenny! (It kind of works!!)

MOM as voted by the committee was George Joyce.

Team line up (subs in brackets); Matt Bonsu, Albert Wood, Kwadwo Bugyei-Kyei (Russell Berko HT),

Kyle Lynch, Stan Georgiou, Shawn Joseph, George Joyce (Harry Riley 87), Khyan Lewis-Burgess (Abel

Damoah-Kyeremeh 95), Sean Duodo (Archie Long-Nicholls 95), Ollie Spicer (Bruce Ovbiye-Nsang 87),

Kyle Brooks.