Pirates shift into second-half gear to sweep aside Redditch
By Louie Truman
An action-packed second-half saw Real Bedford come from 1-0 down to fire four past Redditch United. The Pirates now need just one more point to secure their place in the play-offs.
Just after kick-off, Conor Tee managed to break down the wing, but his cross didn’t come to anything. The hosts had a couple of great chances, which forced Ward into a crucial clearance, and Cartwright had to block a scissor kick attempt off the line.
King had to tip a shot over the bar, and Redditch also had a shot which went wide. Richardson also made an important challenge to prevent a Redditch counterattack.
In the 34th minute, Allen finished a chance well, but the flag went up. Moments later, Ward had to make an important block, and King claimed well in the air as he was challenged by two headers.
Just before half-time, Real Bedford worked an excellent attack. Tee had a shot which hit Cartwright, and it nearly went in. It ended 0-0 at half-time.
Second Half
Just after half-time, Allen had an effort saved, and Ward made two excellent blocks. The Pirates created two excellent chances; Tee forced an excellent save from the goalkeeper, and Allen had a shot which hit the side netting. Despite this, Redditch managed to open the scoring; Alex Foreshaw managed to finish his chance from Bruck's corner.
One minute later, King was quick off his line to prevent a second. In the 63rd minute, Jones found the back of the net, but the flag went up again.
Josh Allen managed to eventually score the equaliser; Jones crosses first time to Stevens, who has a shot. It was going in, and a slight touch from Allen made sure it was a goal. In the 71st minute, Rob Sinclair made his first change with Jack Davies coming on to replace Lee Watkins.
Looking to go ahead, Jones produced a brilliant first touch, but the finish didn’t match it. Ben Stevens managed to put the Pirates ahead; Tee ran down the wing, and layed it off to Jones who played it to Stevens. He had a shot towards goal, and it hit both posts before finding the back of the net.
A couple of minutes later, Stevens scored his second of the match. It was a brilliant spell as Cartwright played the ball to Tee; he flicked it onto Weyman who passed to Stevens. Ben Stevens finished his chance well, straight into the bottom corner.
Five minutes of stoppage time was added on, and Jack Morrell scored the fourth. Weyman had a shot which was saved, and it dropped to Morrell who tapped it in with his first touch of the game. It was an impressive second-half display from Real Bedford; the Pirates secured a 4-1 away win.
In his post-match interview, Sinclair said:
“Really happy with the second-half, I thought the first half we were a little bit sloppy in possession. Defensively and out of possession we were very good and we said that at half-time, to continue that defensive aspect and to be neater on the ball and cleaner with our passing.”
Next up for the Pirates is a home fixture against Leiston on Tuesday the 14th of April. Get your tickets here.
Lineup: King, S.Ward, Richardson, Cartwright, Hilliard (Morrell 91’), Watkins (Davies 71’), Jones (Weyman 87’), Setchell, Tee (Collins 91’), Stevens, Allen (Hitchcock 91’).
Redditch United 1-4 Real Bedford
Date: Saturday 11th April
Kick-Off: 3pm
Venue: The Valley Stadium
