Eight straight wins as clinical Pirates strike four
Real Bedford came from behind to beat Stourbridge 4-1 at the War Memorial Athletic Ground, extending their perfect start to the Southern League Premier Central campaign to eight wins from eight.
Stourbridge 1-4 Real Bedford
Southern League Premier Central
Real Bedford almost made the perfect start when Stevens struck the post inside three minutes, with Ponticelli flagged offside as he looked to reach the rebound. Stourbridge immediately threatened at the other end, sending an effort over the bar, as both sides showed their attacking intent.
Tee was involved from the outset, delivering a cross towards Allen before another dangerous ball earned a corner. The hosts then headed over from a promising position, while Allen tested the goalkeeper at his near post in the 13th minute. King produced an excellent save shortly afterwards to keep the match level.
Stourbridge nevertheless made the breakthrough when Jai Verma crossed for Charlie Wragg to finish from inside the box. Real Bedford responded with Ponticelli beating his man before his delivery was gathered, but the Pirates were then forced into an early change, with Jack Morrell replacing Sam Collins.
King played a crucial role in keeping the deficit to one, making two saves in quick succession as the Glassboys pushed for a second. Those interventions gave the Pirates the platform to turn the contest around before the break.
The equaliser arrived in the 40th minute. Tee supplied a low cross and Ponticelli met it at the near post, flicking the ball home to reward Real Bedford’s growing pressure. Moments later, Allen fired the Pirates ahead, completing a rapid turnaround that left the hosts trailing 2-1 at the break.
Second half
Real Bedford continued to threaten after the restart. Allen’s burst into the box was halted by good defending before Stevens twice forced saves, with efforts tipped over the bar in the 52nd and 55th minute.
Richardson was next to threaten, seeing his effort pushed wide around the hour mark. Real Bedford still had defensive work to do, however, and Mensah made an important tackle inside the Pirates’ penalty area to stop a promising Stourbridge attack. Allen then drew another save from Earley as Real Bedford searched for the goal that would give them breathing space.
That third goal finally came through Stevens. Tee produced an excellent run and cut-back, finding his team mate near the penalty spot, and Stevens placed his finish into the bottom corner. After several earlier near misses, he had his goal and the Pirates had a two-goal cushion.
Stevens then returned the favour in the 82nd minute, setting up Tee to fire home from the edge of the area. It capped an outstanding individual performance, having created the Pirates’ first three goals, Tee added the fourth himself to complete the scoring.
With Tee at the heart of all four goals, the Pirates delivered another strong away result to keep their perfect league start intact.
The Pirates will be back at Home on Saturday 26th with an FA Trophy fixture against Wingate & Finchley. Get your tickets here.
Lineup: King, Cartwright, Richardson (C), Mensah, Collins, Simmons, Kiala, Tee, Stevens, Allen, Ponticelli.
Subs: Brooks, Ahmed, Snelus, Morrell, Hitchcock.