Another away win for the Pirates in penultimate pre-season clash
By Will Murray
Real Bedford secured a fifth consecutive pre-season victory, beating Hertford Town 4-2 at Hertingfordbury Park. Joey Evans, Josh Setchell, Josh Allen and Archie Jones scored the goals for the Pirates.
Rob Sinclair’s side played some slick football in the early stages and were ahead after only seven minutes. Eniola Agemoh-Davies sent through Setchell, who breezed past the defender on the right wing before cutting it back to Evans, who tucked home emphatically from inside the box.
Setchell was a thorn in Hertford’s side throughout the first half, causing them issues with his blistering pace out wide. He nearly set up a second for the Pirates in the 10th minute, but Allen’s shot from the cut-back was well saved by James Callan.
The chances kept on coming for Real Bedford with Sam Cartwright seeing his header hit the crossbar from a corner in the 15th minute before Setchell doubled the lead two minutes later. Tyler McGregor launched a long ball to Evans, which was headed on to Setchell, who hit a powerful half-volley into the roof of the net.
Despite the Pirates’ two-goal lead, Hertford still carried a threat going forward. In the 26th minute, they halved the deficit when a perfectly weighted ball from the right wing was volleyed home by Billy Mardell-Smith from close range.
They had further opportunities to equalise through Marcus Painter and Jamie Breen, but the Pirates held firm to maintain their one-goal lead at the break.
Second Half
The Pirates came out with a renewed energy after the interval and regained their two-goal lead seconds into the second half. Setchell was played through on the right wing before cutting it back to Allen, who fired home from close range, making it 5 goals in 5 appearances for the forward.
Six minutes later, Sinclair’s side grabbed their fourth through the lively Jones. Allen turned provider this time, slipping through Jones, who rounded the goalkeeper and put the ball into an empty net.
The Pirates’ relentless pressing didn’t slow down after the fourth and they were close on numerous occasions to adding to their lead. Agemoh-Davies, Setchell and Isaac Galliford all had efforts well saved by Callan, with the former hitting the crossbar in the 68th minute.
Ty Ward and Evans were also denied by an impressive double save by Callan in the 78th minute, but, despite their superiority, Real Bedford were unable to find a fifth. Mardell-Smith completed his brace in the 85th minute for the hosts, firing home a low Painter cross from the right.
After the match, Sinclair said:
“The second half was a lot better. We pressed with more intensity in our recovery runs. We were a lot better. First-half, we were a little bit off in terms of our intensity and the way we pressed. That was addressed at half-time and a big improvement in the second half.”
Next up for the Pirates is a home match against St Albans, who were relegated from the National League South last season. Get your tickets here.
You can also view our full fixture list for the Southern League Premier Central here, which begins on Saturday 9th August against Spalding United at the Ledger Stadium.
Lineup: McGregor, S.Ward (Morrell 65’), Cartwright, Davies (T. Ward 74’), Setchell, Agemoh-Davies (Tee 74’), Weyman (Galliford 58’), Richardson, Jones (Nicolson 53’), Allen (Stevens 74’), Evans.
Hertford Town 2-4 Real Bedford
Tuesday 29th July 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Location: Hertingfordbury Park
