Pirates edge Harleston to book Third Qualifying Round place
Real Bedford booked their place in the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup as goals from CJ Kiala and Conor Tee secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Harleston Town at Wilderness Lane.
Harleston Town 1-2 Real Bedford
FA Cup - Second Qualifying Round
The Pirates threatened early, with Hitchcock seeing an attempted chip blocked inside three minutes. Josh Allen then broke clear, only for home goalkeeper Blowers to race out and clear the danger, before Kiala cut inside and forced a save.
Tee and Kiala both had efforts blocked as Real Bedford continued to search for an opening. Harleston manager Adam Gusterson was sent off during the first half, before the Pirates made the breakthrough in the 25th minute.
Kiala provided it in style. Working his way through the home defence with some clever footwork, he created the space to fire into the bottom corner and put the Pirates ahead.
Allen subsequently had two efforts blocked, but the hosts found a route back into the contest when they were awarded a penalty for handball. Durham converted in the 34th minute to bring Harleston level.
Real Bedford thought they had regained the lead four minutes later when Hitchcock found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul on Blowers. Stevens was then denied from close range as the sides went into the interval at 1-1.
Second half
Harleston began the second half brightly, with Durham striking the post shortly after the restart. King was quickly off his line to halt another dangerous attack and made a further important stop in the 58th minute as the Pirates weathered the hosts’ pressure.
At the other end, Allen won a corner and Morrell headed narrowly over before Real Bedford found the decisive breakthrough in the 66th minute.
Simmons picked out Tee with a good ball out wide, and an excellent first touch set up the opportunity. Tee’s shot took a deflection that carried it over Blowers and into the net, restoring the Pirates’ lead.
Real Bedford continued to look for a third. Richardson volleyed off target and Kiala drove into the penalty area before firing just wide. Owen Brooks replaced Allen, while Stevens saw another effort blocked.
There was important defensive work to do, too. Mensah cleared a dangerous cross before King dealt with a long-range effort from Barber as Harleston pushed for another equaliser.
Mo Ahmed replaced Kiala for the closing stages and later supplied Hitchcock, whose first-time effort struck the post, although the offside flag was already raised. Hitchcock had also headed over following a well-worked set piece.
Brooks had a shot blocked in added time, but the final decisive intervention came from King. After a foul by Brooks gave Harleston a late free-kick, the Pirate goalkeeper produced an excellent save in the 93rd minute to keep the Pirates in front.
The final whistle confirmed another FA Cup victory for Real Bedford, following the previous round’s win over Royston Town, and a place in the Third Qualifying Round draw.
The Pirates will be back in action on Tuesday 22nd with an away fixture against Stourbridge.
Lineup: King, Cartwright, Richardson (C), Mensah, Collins, Simmons, Kiala, Tee, Stevens, Allen, Hitchcock.
Subs: Brooks, Ahmed, Snelus, Howard, Ponticelli.