Pirates Earn Hard-Fought Point Away from Home
By Will Murray
Real Bedford secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Needham Market at Bloomfields on Tuesday evening. The hosts dominated the first-half, but the Pirates came back into the game after the break and were denied by goalkeeper James Bradbook, who made a couple of impressive saves.
Rob Sinclair’s side started brightly in the first five minutes, keeping possession well and easing into the game. Needham Market had the first big chance of the game, though, when Dan Morphew’s effort from a Kyle Hammond corner was well blocked.
In the 19th minute, the hosts had another big chance – this time through Luke Ingram. Reggie Lambe was released on the left wing and his low cross found Ingram, who fired just wide of the post from the edge of the box.
Ten minutes later, the hosts had the ball in the back of the net. Captain Keiran Morphew headed home a Hammond corner, but the referee blew his whistle for a foul on Tyler McGregor.
Needham Market continued to look dangerous from set-pieces, pushing the Pirates back with their high press.
The first notable chance Real Bedford created came through Conor Tee in the 39th minute. He fired over after a free-kick was cleared to him on the edge of the box, meaning the teams went in level at half-time.
Second Half
The Pirates were much improved after the break, maintaining possession and pushing the hosts back, unlike the first-half. In the 51st minute, Ben Stevens saw his right-footed effort easily saved by Bradbrook after a period of pressure.
Four minutes later, the hosts came close to opening the scoring. The ball broke to Hammond, whose effort from 35 yards went inches wide of the top left corner.
The best chance for Real Bedford came in the 62nd minute. Bradbrook, who rejoined the Marketmen in the summer, pulled off an impressive double save to deny Josh Setchell and Joey Evans. A quick counter released Setchell, who saw his effort palmed away by Bradbrook before Evans was also denied by the outstretched shot-stopper from the rebound.
Stevens and Setchell both had opportunities in the last 10 minutes, but were unable to find the target on both occasions.
Needham Market looked the most likely in the closing stages, with Reggie Lambe and Myles Cowling seeing their efforts blocked by the Pirates’ resolute backline.
The game finished 0-0, meaning Real Bedford have picked up four points from their opening two league matches.
In his post-match interview, Sinclair said:
“You have to defend. When you come away against good sides, you have to be able to defend. The only part we need to be better with is that we gave them the opportunities to attack with our sloppy possession play.
If we neaten that up, you’re not having to defend as much. In terms of defending and coming away with a clean sheet, that’s a real positive.”
Next up for the Pirates is a visit to Halesowen Town on Saturday 16th August.
Our next home game is on 23rd August, when we host Kettering Town.
Lineup: McGregor, Davies, Cartwright, S.Ward, Richardson, Setchell, Weyman, Jones (Galliford 75’), Tee, Stevens, Evans (Allen 82’).
Unused subs: Longden, T.Ward, Agemoh-Davies.
Needham Market 0-0 Real Bedford
Tuesday 12th August 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Location: Bloomfields
