High Flying Pirates Make It Four In A Row
By Louie Truman
Real Bedford made it four wins in a row after an impressive 4-1 home win against AFC Sudbury. This result puts the Pirates three points inside the play-offs. Shaheim Ward, Josh Setchell,Ben Stevens and Josh Allen scored for the Pirates.
AFC Sudbury started the game well, forcing King into an early save from a free-kick. King also made a strong save from a shot in this box. Allen had a shot on target in the 13th minute, which resulted in a corner which went straight into the Sudbury keeper’s hands.
The Pirates nearly opened the scoring with a brilliant goal. It was a great bit of play, which ended with Weyman going inches away from connecting with a bicycle kick.
Richardson did well to lay off Stevens, who found the path of Allen, but his shot went wide. Overall, Rob Sinclair’s side were creating opportunities, but were unable to find the back of the net in the first thirty minutes. Despite the Pirates controlling the game so far, Sudbury had a chance to outnumber the Pirates at the back, but the flag went up.
Shaheim Ward opened the scoring for the Pirates. It was a first goal for Ward as he headed Allen’s cross into the back of the net. Conor Tee had a couple of shots before half-time, but he was unable to find the back of the net.
Second Half
After the break, Weyman had the first chance, which was just wide. The Pirates had a couple more good chances as they continued to add pressure. Kien Connolly scored the equaliser for the visitors from a corner, which made the game 1-1.
Simmons had a chance, and put it on a plate for Weyman, but he overstretched for it, and his first touch went into the hands of the keeper. King made another great save in the 65th minute to keep the game level.
Josh Setchell managed to put the Pirates ahead. It was a fantastic counterattack as Tee squared the ball to Setchell, who finished his chance well. In the 71st minute, Rob Sinclair made his first changes with Archie Jones and Lewis Hilliard coming on to replace both Ben Weyman and Elliot Simmons.
The Suds kept pushing for the equaliser, and they were unlucky not to find it; the Pirates made three huge blocks on the line in the 78th minute. However, Ben Stevens managed to find the back of the net to make it 3-1, a classic Stevo touch and finish.
Just minutes later, Real Bedford got a penalty, and Josh Allen sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 4-1. After a dramatic final ten minutes, it ended 4-1, and the Pirates secured another crucial three points in the race for promotion.
In his post-match interview, Sinclair said:
“Firstly, in the first half, I thought we were outstanding; it should have been more than one. The football we played, the aggression out of possession, was at a high level, the only thing which was missing was that it was only 1-0.”
Next up for the Pirates is another home game, against Harborough Town on Tuesday, the 3rd of February. Get your tickets here.
Lineup: King, S.Ward, Richardson (Cartwright 86’), Davies, Simmons (Hilliard 68’), Watkins, Tee, Weyman (Jones 68’), Setchell (Morrell 73’), Stevens, Allen (Hitchcock 86’).
Real Bedford 4-1 AFC Sudbury
Saturday 31st January 2026
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: The Ledger Stadium
