PIRATES MAINTAIN PLAY-OFF Position WITH STRATFORD WIN
By Louie Truman
Real Bedford maintain their Southern League Premier Central play-off spot, with a 3-2 away win against Stratford Town at the Arden Garages Stadium. Elliot Simmons, Conor Tee and Josh Allen with the goals for the Pirates
Both teams started the game strongly, with it being an end-to-end encounter. Real Bedford took the lead after ten minutes with some brilliant play down the right, Mo Ahmed laying off a perfect ball for Elliot Simmons, who scored his first goal of the season with a brilliant strike outside the box, and into the top right.
The hosts started to look dangerous with their first proper chance in the 25th minute, but Archie Jones was there to kick it out for a corner. Conor Tee doubled the lead from a superb looping through ball from Richardson, which secured Rob Sinclair’s side a 2-0 lead.
Just before the break, Josh Allen scored, but it was disallowed due to him being offside. After a brilliant first-half display, the Pirates were unlucky not to be leading by more than 2-0, having dominated and created many chances.
Second Half
Just after the break, Stratford had a positive spell and scored through a Dan Lafferty strike. The hosts had a few good chances, which forced Craig King into a couple of smart saves.
The Bards kept pushing for an equaliser, but the Pirates stayed disciplined at the back, staying organised and alert. In-form Josh Allen was constantly an attacking threat throughout, and he calmly slotted his shot into the net, which made it 3-1 in the 84th minute.
Stratford pressed forward in the final ten minutes, urgently searching for the two goals they needed to level the match after falling 3–1 behind. During the seven minutes of stoppage time, the hosts found a goal in the 94th minute through a debut goal from Max Lott, who is on loan from Aston Villa, but it wasn’t enough for Paul Davis’ side.
This win was an important result that helped strengthen their push for promotion and made it four wins from Real Bedford’s last five.
Next up, the Pirates are away to Stamford on Saturday, 8th November. Come down and get behind the team.
Lineup: King, S.Ward, Richardson, Cartwright, Weyman, Simmons, Tee, Jones, Stevens (Hitchcock 95’), Ahmed (Deall 81’), Allen (Evans 85’).
Stratford Town 2-3 Real Bedford
Saturday 1st November 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Arden Garages Stadium
