FA Cup Campaign Ends at Bishop’s Stortford
By Will Murray
Real Bedford’s FA Cup campaign is over after losing 1-0 to Bishop’s Stortford in the first qualifying round. After Saturday’s 1-1 draw, the Blues scored the only goal of the replay through Bradley Russell to advance to the next round. The Pirates created a number of chances, but were continually denied by Adam Hayton, who impressed for the hosts.
The Pirates dominated the first-half, coming close to the opener through Josh Allen after only seven minutes. Shaheim Ward found space on the right wing and cut the ball back to the striker, who was denied by Hayton from close range.
The chances kept on coming, with Ben Stevens and Allen both unable to find a way past Hayton, with dangerous efforts.
There was a long pause in the middle of the half after a strong challenge on Conor Tee. The number 11 suffered a head injury and was eventually substituted in the 38th minute. Tee was forced to go to the hospital, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Tee’s injury meant there were seven minutes of added time at the end of the first-half. The hosts threatened, especially from set-pieces, but the sides went in level at the break.
Second Half
Three minutes after the interval, the Blues came close to the opener from a wide free-kick. The delivery from Jack Smith found Saleem Akanbi, whose header just went over Tyler McGregor’s crossbar.
In the 51st minute, Rob Sinclair’s side had their best chance of the evening. Ward cut the ball back to Archie Jones in the box, who had the goal at his mercy, but he was unable to divert the ball home.
Six minutes later, Isaac Galliford also missed the target – firing a left-footed shot from 20 yards over the bar.
The Pirates were punished for these missed opportunities just after the hour mark, when Russell opened the scoring for the hosts. Akanbi dribbled into the box and cut it back to the number 10, who powerfully shot past McGregor to give Bishop’s Stortford the lead.
The opener forced Sinclair into two changes, with both Joey Evans and Tom Hitchcock coming on in search of an equaliser.
In the 76th minute, Galliford beat the offside trap and was through on goal with only Hayton to beat. He was unable to score past the goalkeeper, though, leaving a sense that it wasn’t going to be the Pirates’ night.
Real Bedford continued to push forward in the closing stages, with Evans and Stevens denied by further smart stops by Hayton.
The hosts held firm and booked an away trip against Hemel Hempstead Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.
In his post-match interview, Sinclair said:
“A mix of emotions – proud of the performance, frustrated with the number of chances we missed.
I thought we dominated the game, but it is kind of what I said after the first game – you can’t keep missing that many chances in a game of football because you will get sucker-punched.”
Next up for the Pirates is a home match against Redditch United in the Southern League Premier Central on Saturday 6th September.
You can get your tickets for the game here.
Lineup: McGregor, S. Ward, Cartwright, Richardson, Morrell, Weyman (Agemoh-Davies 90’), Watkins, Jones (Hitchcock 62’), Tee (Galliford 38’), Stevens, Allen (Evans 62’).
Unused subs: Longden, T. Ward, Soile.
Bishop’s Stortford 1-0 Real Bedford
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Location: Woodside Park
