FA Trophy Match Preview: Real Bedford vs Stamford
After a weekend off, the Pirates are back in action. Real Bedford face fellow Southern League Premier Central side, Stamford, in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy.
The Daniels are bottom of the Southern League Premier Central after nine games. So far, they have picked up four points in the league, scoring four and conceding 14.
They have enjoyed success in cup competitions, though, winning their first three matches in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. They have beaten Coventry Sphinx, Shepshed Dynamo and Sutton Coldfield Town, without conceding a goal.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s FA Trophy clash.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: Saturday 4th October
Venue: Ledger Stadium, McMullen Park, Meadow Lane, Bedford, MK44 3LW.
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
TICKETS
You can purchase tickets on the club website here. Please note that there are no advance prices for this match and season ticket holders must buy an individual ticket for the game, as it is an FA Trophy tie.
The list of prices can be found below.
General Admission: £12
Concessions: £8
Child (U18): £2
Groundhopper Special: £15*
*Included in the ‘Groundhopper special’ is a match ticket, programme, a cold or hot drink at the bar and a metal pin badge.
THE OPPOSITION
Stamford narrowly missed out on a play-off spot last season, finishing two points behind Harborough Town. Graham Drury, who is enjoying his third stint at the club, reached the first round of the FA Cup in the 2016/17 season, while also gaining promotion to step 3 in the 2022/23 campaign.
Kai Sanchez Tonge is a player to look out for the visitors, with four goals in his last four games in all competitions. This included the winning penalty against Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday to put them within one win of the FA Cup first round.
HOW MANY WINS ARE REQUIRED TO REACH THE FIRST ROUND PROPER?
If we beat Stamford, we will enter the first round proper of the FA Trophy. Seven wins are then required to reach the final, which will take place at Wembley Stadium.
National League North and South sides enter the competition in the second round, while National League sides enter the tournament in the third round.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT IS LEVEL AFTER 90 MINUTES?
In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will take place to decide who will reach the first round of the competition.
FA Trophy – 2024/25 Performance
Our 2024/25 FA Trophy campaign started with a hard-fought victory against Walthamstow. Isaac Galliford’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi. In the 88th minute, Josh Setchell secured the victory for the Pirates, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper from inside the box.
Next up was a home game against Leighton Town. It ended up being a comfortable 4-0 victory for Sinclair’s side, with goals coming from Joey Evans, Setchell, Eniola Agemoh-Davies and an impressive halfway-line effort from Ben Stevens.
Our hopes of reaching the first round proper of the FA Trophy ended with a 3-0 defeat to Bowers & Pitsea. The hosts, who played in the Isthmian League Premier Division, proved to be too strong for the Pirates and progressed with goals from Alex Teniola and TQ Addy.
First Qualifying Round - Walthamstow 1-2 Real Bedford
Second Qualifying Round - Real Bedford 4-0 Leighton Town
Third Qualifying Round - Bowers & Pitsea 3-0 Real Bedford
FOLLOW THE MATCH ON SOCIAL MEDIA
If you can’t make the game, you can follow the match via our official X and Instagram accounts. A match report will also be posted on the club website, detailing the key moments in the game.
Follow @realbedford on X and Instagram.
