Pirates battle back to sink Redditch United
Real Bedford recovered from a first-minute setback to beat Redditch United 2-1, with goals from Josh Allen and Jordan Ponticelli completing a deserved reward for the Pirates’ performance.
Real Bedford 2-1 Redditch United
Southern League Premier Central
Attendance: 726
It was a difficult start for Real Bedford as Tyler Bruck gave the visitors an immediate lead. The Pirates began searching for a response, with Andi Thanoj’s delivery gathered by the goalkeeper before a curling cross from Stevens also ended in Rory Brown’s hands.
Redditch remained a threat on the break. Craig King dealt with a dangerous ball across goal as the visitors looked to capitalise on their early advantage.
Conor Tee helped move Real Bedford forward, winning a corner after good work down the wing. Brown then made a timely claim to prevent Josh Allen from having a tap-in, but the Pirates also needed King at the other end. In the 29th minute, he saved Bruck's shot to keep the deficit at one.
Real Bedford continued to create opportunities. Ponticelli had a half-chance gathered by Brown, who then tipped away an effort from Stevens. Sam Cartwright headed over as the Pirates increased their threat.
The equaliser arrived in the 36th minute. Allen picked up the ball and struck a powerful effort that went in through the goalkeeper's legs, bringing Real Bedford level with his eighth league goal of the season. Having recovered from their early setback, the Pirates reached half-time with the game finely balanced at 1-1.
Second half
The search for a winner continued after the restart. Redditch sent an effort wide before Tee fired over at the other end. Allen then came close to adding his second in the 63rd minute, taking an excellent first touch before shooting inches wide of the far post.
Richardson was increasingly involved in the Pirates’ attacking efforts. His long-range strike was saved, while Mensah’s surging run earned Real Bedford a free-kick as they continued to push forward.
The decisive moment came in the 71st minute. Richardson drove forward and forced Brown into another save, with Ponticelli on hand to dispatch the rebound and give the Pirates the lead for the first time.
Real Bedford continued to threaten after going ahead. Ponticelli sent a close-range chance over, while Kiala went down inside the area without a penalty being awarded.
Redditch searched for an equaliser, but Whyte-Hall could not make the required connection with the delivery in the 80th minute. The Pirates then made several changes, introducing Jack Morrell, Elliott Simmons and Tom Hitchcock during the closing stages.
Cartwright produced an important clearance before five minutes of added time were signalled. Simmons made his own valuable contribution in the third of those minutes, winning a crucial header inside the Real Bedford penalty area.
The Pirates saw out the remaining time to complete the comeback and to secure all three points.
The Pirates will be back in action on Saturday 19th with an away FA Cup fixture against Harleston Town. Get your Fan Coach tickets here.
Lineup: King, Cartwright, Richardson (C), Mensah, Collins, Thanoj, Kiala, Tee, Stevens, Allen, Ponticelli.
Subs: Morrell, Hitchcock, Simmons, Ahmed, Snelus.