First-Half Redditch Goals Leave Pirates Empty-Handed
By Will Murray
A second consecutive defeat for the Pirates, losing 2-0 at home to Redditch United in the Southern League Premier Central. Robbie Bunn and Tyler Bruck scored just before the break for the Reds to leave Rob Sinclair’s side with five points after six games.
It was an uneventful start to the game, with both sides cancelling each other out. The first significant opportunity came in the 20th minute through a Redditch corner. Matt Warburton’s corner found Joe Hull at the back post, whose header was initially blocked before falling to Danny King, with Isaac Galliford stopping the right-footed effort nestling into the bottom corner.
Four minutes later, the visitors thought they had opened the scoring through Tyler Bruck after he was sent through by Aram Soleman, but the linesman flagged for offside.
Redditch continued to create chances, with King and Soleman both firing over the crossbar after swift counter attacks.
It took until the 35th minute for the Pirates to register their first significant opportunity. Galliford drifted past his defender on the right wing before finding Jack Morrell at the back post, who saw his left-footed strike easily saved by Tyrese Warmington.
Three minutes later, the visitors opened the scoring through Bunn. Joel Shambrook found King on the right wing, with the number 12 cutting the ball back to Bunn, who fired a low first-time effort past McGregor.
Redditch’s lead was doubled just before the break, with Bruck, who was somehow deemed onside by the linesman, racing through after receiving a through ball from Soleman and confidently converting into the bottom left corner.
Second Half
The second half followed a repetitive pattern, with Redditch retreating into a well-drilled defensive shape and the Pirates controlling possession.
Josh Setchell, who came on for Lee Watkins at half-time, hit the side-netting in the 66th minute. Three minutes later, he broke through on the right wing again before cutting the ball back to Josh Allen, who was unable to get something on the low cross.
Allen also came close in the 84th minute, seeing his right-footed effort tipped over the bar by Warmington after being sent through by Tom Hitchcock.
The Pirates continued to push forward, but were unable to find a way through the Redditch defence, who picked up their first away win of the season.
In his post-match interview, Sinclair said:
“Today was a really poor afternoon. In possession, out of possession, we weren’t good enough today and got punished for it.
It’s about being positive and trying to hit those performance levels we have done in previous games and look to have a big reaction come Tuesday.”
Next up for the Pirates is a home game against Bury Town on Tuesday 9th September. You can buy tickets for the match here.
Lineup: McGregor, S. Ward, Cartwright, Richardson (Evans 61’), Morrell, Weyman, Watkins (Setchell 46’), Jones (Hitchcock 73’), Galliford, Stevens, Allen.
Unused subs: Davies, T. Ward.
Real Bedford 0-2 Redditch United
Saturday 6th August 2025
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Location: Ledger Stadium
