By Louie Truman

Real Bedford put in a brilliant display throughout as they secured a well-deserved 3–1 away win against Stamford. It was an impressive performance on the road, marked by clinical finishing from Archie Jones, Conor Tee, and Josh Allen

After some early pressure from the hosts, the Pirates settled, and our first chance came when Allen drove into the box, but the keeper gathered it. Elliot Simmons came close to the opener in the 20th minute when he fired a shot from outside the box, but Stamford keeper Jackson pulled off a great save. It could easily have been another Simmons screamer, after last weeks rocket.

After an end-to-end start, Archie Jones opened the scoring. Mo Ahmed played Jones through who dribbles around the keeper and passed the ball into the net. Following the goal, the Pirates turned the game around and started to build momentum after Stamford initially took the game to them. During the first-half injury time, King made an excellent save to keep us ahead.

Just before half-time, the club’s top goal scorer, Josh Allen, scored his ninth goal of the season by lifting it over the keeper from the edge of the box. A sensational goal by Allen. Rob Sinclair’s side managed to score another goal before the break in the 6th minute of added time through Conor Tee. Stevens played a ball across the box, which landed with Tee, who fired it home. A brilliant first-half display from the Pirates.

Second Half

Stamford came out after the break, determined to find a goal, pushing forward and increasing the pressure as they tried to salvage something from the match. Stamford flashed the ball across King’s goal; however, no one was there to meet it. Josh Allen also scored in the 56th minute, but it was disallowed for an offside.

Stamford player Norkett was brought down in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. Kai Sanchez-Tonge converted from the penalty spot with a low driven effort into the bottom corner. This goal kept their hopes of securing a point alive.

The game became a bit scrappy, but Real Bedford stayed disciplined at the back, and King made multiple key saves to secure the Pirates all three points on the road. This win moved the Pirates up to 3rd, only four points away from league leaders Harborough Town.

Next up for the Pirates is a FA Trophy second round fixture away at Alvechurch on Saturday, 15th November.

Lineup: King, S.Ward, Richardson, Cartwright, Watkins (Weyman 74’), Simmons, Tee, Jones, Stevens (Hilliard 82’), Ahmed (Deall 58’), Allen (Evans 88’).

Unused subs: Hitchcock

Stamford 1-3 Real Bedford
Saturday 8th November
Kick-off: 3pm
Location: Zeeco Stadium

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