Perfect Pre-Season Secured With St Albans Victory
By Will Murray
Real Bedford secured the perfect pre-season, beating St Albans 4-2 at the Ledger Stadium. The victory was the Pirates’ sixth consecutive triumph in preparation for the 2025/26 campaign, which starts against Spalding United on Saturday 9th August. Archie Jones, Sam Cartwright and Ben Stevens scored the goals in front of a crowd of 364, the largest attendance at home during pre-season.
The visitors, who were relegated from the National League South in the 2024/25 campaign, started positively and were awarded a penalty after only nine minutes following a foul by Drew Richardson. George Sippetts stepped up from the spot for the Saints and opened the scoring when he sent the ball into the bottom right corner.
It took only seven minutes for the Pirates to equalise. Josh Setchell was played through by Ben Weyman and looked set to shoot before the defender intervened. However, the ball found Jones on the edge of the box, who took a deft touch and finished smartly past Magnus Norman.
In the 19th minute, Rob Sinclair’s side were ahead through Sam Cartwright. The centre-back rose highest from a Stevens corner to give the Pirates the lead.
Both teams continued to create chances in an end-to-end first-half. This included impressive efforts by Conor Tee and Joey Evans, but Norman was on hand to deny the attacking duo on both occasions.
In the 32nd minute, St Albans were level through former English Football League (EFL) defender, Michael Bostwick. After a foul from Jones from 30 yards out, Zane Banton picked out Bostwick from the free-kick, who headed powerfully past McGregor.
Six minutes later, a melee between the two players ensued when Jack James produced an extremely high tackle on Stevens. The referee, after consulting with his linesman, decided not to send the full-back off, meaning the match remained 11 versus 11.
This incident didn’t deter the Pirates’ attacking intent, though, and two minutes later, Stevens put Real Bedford in front again. He was released in the middle of the pitch and fired a powerful right-footed strike in off the left post.
Just before the break, the advantage was extended through Cartwright once again. Stevens was again the architect of the move, and his cross found the centre-back, who doubled his tally from close range.
Second Half
Eleven minutes into the second half, James was sent off for a second yellow after another rash tackle, this time on Jack Morrell.
The Pirates, playing against 10 men, dominated the second half but were unable to find the fifth that they deserved.
Chances came and went with Cartwright coming agonisingly close to scoring his hat-trick in the 66th minute. A cross from Setchell somehow missed the incoming defender, who was well placed to tap home.
Stevens and Eniola Agemoh-Davies both came close in the closing stages, but the game fizzled out, meaning the Pirates secured a sixth consecutive pre-season victory.
After the match, Sinclair said:
“For the first 10 to 15 minutes, we struggled with their rotations out of possession, but once we solved that problem, I thought we were dominant and deserved the win.
Again, good minutes leading into Spalding. A full week to prepare and hopefully we can get another good result next week.”
Our first game at tier three sees us host Spalding United on Saturday 9th August. You can get your tickets now here and can view the full fixture list here.
First Half XI: McGregor, Davies, Cartwright, Morrell (S.Ward 76’), Setchell, Richardson (Nicolson 80’), Jones (Galliford 46’), Tee (Agemoh-Davies 85’), Stevens, Weyman (T.Ward 85’), Evans (Allen 76’).
Real Bedford 4-2 St Albans
Saturday 2nd August 2025
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Location: Ledger Stadium
Attendance: 364
