Nine-man Pirates beaten at Bishop’s Stortford
Real Bedford’s unbeaten league run came to an end with a 3-1 defeat away to Bishop’s Stortford, as dismissals for Craig King and Jordan Ponticelli punctuated a frustrating afternoon for the Pirates.
Bishop's Stortford 3-1 Real Bedford
Southern League Premier Central
Real Bedford had started brightly, with Sam Collins striking narrowly wide inside two minutes. Archie Jones was booked shortly afterwards, but the Pirates continued to create openings. Jones saw a volley blocked before Josh Setchell forced a save in the seventh minute.
An offside flag halted a promising Bishop’s Stortford attack, while Conor Tee had two dangerous deliveries cut out as Real Bedford sought an early breakthrough.
The contest changed significantly in the 17th minute when King was sent off. Rob Sinclair was forced to sacrifice Jones to introduce Hitchcock, who took over between the posts. The striker was immediately called into action, saving a free-kick in the 20th minute to keep the scores level.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Pirates continued to threaten. Setchell had an effort blocked before Josh Allen came close to opening the scoring, only to see his attempt cleared off the line. Real Bedford then appealed for handball inside the penalty area, but play continued.
Bishop’s Stortford broke the deadlock after 32 minutes. A lofted pass over the defence released Baker, and Hitchcock slipped as he came out to meet the danger. Baker squared the ball to Norris, who rolled his finish into the unguarded net from the edge of the penalty area.
The Pirates responded with further chances. Ponticelli headed just over two minutes later, before the home goalkeeper punched away an effort from Tee. At the other end, Mensah made an important clearance to prevent further danger.
Real Bedford were still searching for an equaliser as the interval approached, with Tee seeing another shot saved in added time. Instead, the hosts doubled their lead moments later.
Baker raced through from halfway and struck the crossbar with a shot from the right side of the box. The rebound fell to Norris, who converted his second of the afternoon to send the Pirates into the break trailing 2-0.
Second half
Sinclair introduced Jack Morrell for Sam Cartwright at half-time, and Hitchcock continued to show his willingness to take responsibility in an unfamiliar position, coming bravely off his line to clear a dangerous cross.
Real Bedford’s determination was rewarded in the 52nd minute. Stevens met a Mensah delivery into the area with a header to reduce the deficit and give the Pirates renewed belief that something could still be salvaged.
CJ Kiala replaced Setchell five minutes later as Real Bedford continued their pursuit of an equaliser. A Ponticelli cross went narrowly wide, Stevens struck a free-kick into the wall, and Kiala delivered a promising ball into the box from which Tee dragged his effort wide.
However, the Pirates’ recovery was checked when Bishop’s Stortford were awarded a penalty in the 74th minute, with Drew Richardson also shown a yellow card. Baker converted the spot-kick a minute later, placing the ball into the bottom-right corner as Hitchcock went the other way.
Callum Kane and Jack Davies replaced Tee and Collins as Sinclair made further changes, but Real Bedford’s task became harder still in the 81st minute. Ponticelli received a second yellow card, leaving the Pirates with nine players for the closing stages.
The hosts missed an opportunity to add a fourth before Davies was booked. Hitchcock then made another stop in the 89th minute, denying Norris from a tight angle after Smith’s through ball.
Five minutes of added time brought no further change to the score. Two dismissals and a decisive penalty ultimately left the Pirates unable to rescue a result.
The Pirates will back at home as they face Stourbridge under the lights on Tuesday 27th. Get your tickets here.
Lineup: King, Cartwright, Richardson, Mensah, Collins, Jones, Setchell, Tee, Stevens, Allen, Ponticelli.
Subs: Hitchcock, Davies, Kane, Kiala, Morrell.