Pirates Hit Eleven to End Pre-Season in Style
Pre-Season Friendly | Saturday 1st August 2026
Real Bedford rounded off their pre-season campaign in emphatic fashion with an 11-2 victory over Hertford Town, producing a dominant attacking display from start to finish.
The Pirates showed their intent early on, with a slick move between Conor Tee and Ben Stevens in the third minute ending with Tee delivering a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded everyone in the box.
The breakthrough arrived five minutes later. Josh Allen capitalised on a misplaced Hertford pass before unselfishly laying the ball into the path of strike partner Jordan Ponticelli, who made no mistake to give Real Bedford a deserved 1-0 lead.
Just three minutes later, Ponticelli was brought down on the edge of the area. Tee stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and curled a superb effort beyond the goalkeeper to double the advantage in style.
Real Bedford continued to create chances. A fine defensive challenge denied Allen another opportunity before Stevens’ excellent work down the right saw him square for Allen, who blazed over from close range. The striker quickly made amends in the 15th minute, latching onto another exquisite Stevens pass before calmly finishing to make it 3-0.
Hertford briefly threatened a comeback in the 20th minute as one of their young midfielders weaved through several challenges before slotting into the far corner. However, the Pirates responded positively. Ponticelli fired over from distance, while a crucial block denied Tee a second goal.
Allen thought he had restored the three-goal cushion just after the half-hour mark after rounding the goalkeeper, but the assistant’s flag cut the celebrations short. Moments later, Stevens was once again the creator, picking out CJ with another outstanding pass, allowing him to round off a flowing move and make it 4-1.
Real Bedford continued to pile on the pressure. Tee’s inviting pass was inches behind Allen, but the pair combined successfully three minutes before the break as Allen tapped home Tee’s cross for his second of the afternoon. Right on half-time, another excellent move involving Stevens and Tee forced an own goal, sending the Pirates into the interval with a commanding 6-1 advantage.
Second Half
The goals continued to flow after the restart. Six minutes into the second half, Ponticelli burst into the penalty area and poked an effort towards goal, with Allen on hand to apply the finishing touch for his hattrick.
Two minutes later came another beautifully worked team goal. CJ combined cleverly with Stevens before slipping Allen through to complete his fourth goal of the afternoon and make it 8-1.
Allen’s incredible afternoon continued midway through the half as he timed his run perfectly before rifling a composed finish into the top corner for his fifth goal of the match.
Hertford managed a second consolation from a well-worked routine, but Real Bedford remained relentless. Allen turned provider in the 71st minute, setting up Ponticelli to restore the eight-goal cushion and take the score to 10-2.
The visitors came close to another goal when their winger kept the ball alive brilliantly before a header drifted wide, while goalkeeper King produced an excellent save to tip a powerful effort onto the crossbar.
There was still time for one final goal. In the closing stages, Mo Ahmed led a lightning-fast counter-attack before delivering a superb cross for Ponticelli, who finished confidently to complete his hattrick and the scoring at 11-2.
The emphatic victory provides the perfect platform heading into the new season, with Real Bedford opening at home to Leamington on Saturday 8th August. Get your tickets here.
Starting XI - King (GK), Ward, Cartwright, Morrell, Collins, Thanoj, Kiala, Tee, Stevens, Allen, Ponticelli
Subs - Hitchcock, Simmons, Ahmed, Jones