Pirates Begin Step 3 with a win in Front of Record Crowd
By Will Murray
Real Bedford started the 2025/26 Southern League Premier Central season with a 2-1 victory against Spalding United, thanks to a brace from Joey Evans. The Pirates came from behind to win on the opening day in front of a record opening day crowd of 523 at the Ledger Stadium.
It was a nervy start for Rob Sinclair’s side, with the Tulips missing a golden opportunity only a few minutes into the game. A swift counter attack from the visitors left Jack Roberts one-on-one with Tyler McGregor, but the number seven skewed his right-footed effort just wide of the post.
Spalding continued to create chances in the opening 15 minutes, with Jack Davies making a goal-saving tackle on his league debut for the Pirates.
Ben Stevens and Conor Tee also had efforts that narrowly missed the target, with the number 10 seeing his whipped effort go inches wide of the post in the 25th minute.
Five minutes later, the visitors took the lead through Roberts. A long ball forward from Connor Johnson found the number seven, who took the ball in his stride and fired a low effort under McGregor.
The Tulips had opportunities to double their lead, with Josh McCammon shooting straight at McGregor in the 40th minute after a well-worked move.
Just before the break, the Pirates found themselves level through Evans. A long ball forward from Drew Richardson released Josh Setchell, who took on his defender and lofted a cross to the number nine in the box. Evans confidently headed the ball home to give Real Bedford a much-needed boost going into the second half.
Second Half
The Pirates improved in the second half, and in the 50th minute, Evans doubled his tally. After a flowing passing move, Archie Jones crossed to Evans, who got the right side of his defender and tucked home.
Despite going behind, Spalding continued to press forward in search of an equaliser. Their best chance came in the 64th minute when McGregor made a remarkable double save to first deny Bart Cybulski and then the rebound.
The chances kept on coming for both sides, with Roberts inches wide of the right post from a free-kick on the edge of the box in the 79th minute. Two minutes later, Stevens thought he had wrapped up the game when his low effort seemed destined for the bottom left corner. However, James Dadge was on hand to impressively tip the ball behind for a corner.
After a nervy 10 minutes of added time, the Pirates stood firm and held on for the three points against a well-organised Spalding side.
In his post-match interview, Sinclair said:
“Good performance. Gave a sloppy goal away to start with, but the reaction from the boys was incredible.
I’ve said to them - believe in what we want you to do because they’re all good enough to do it. Trust in your teammates, trust in the way we want to play and the process and we improved on that in the second half.”
Two away games await the Pirates this week, with Needham Market on Tuesday and Halesowen Town on Saturday.
Our next home game is on 23rd August, when we host Kettering Town.
Lineup: McGregor, Davies, Cartwright, Morrell (S.Ward 46’), Richardson, Setchell (Agemoh-Davies 90+5), Weyman, Jones (Galliford 84’), Tee, Stevens, Evans (Allen 84’).
Unused subs: Longden.
Real Bedford 2-1 Spalding United
9th August 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Ledger Stadium
Attendance: 523
