Real Bedford Continue to Impress in 7–1 Pre-Season Victory
By Will Murray
Real Bedford secured their second consecutive pre-season victory with an impressive 7-1 win against AFC Welwyn at Wodson Park. Isaac Galliford, Josh Allen, Ben Weyman, Eniola Agemoh-Davies, Ben Stevens and Conor Tee scored the goals for the Pirates on a wet and windy evening.
Rob Sinclair’s side were ahead after only two minutes through Galliford, who took the ball past two defenders and tucked the ball into the top right corner with his left foot.
One quickly became two in the fifth minute through new signing Josh Allen. The 21-year-old scored on his debut against Corby Town on Saturday and he scored his second in as many games when he tucked a low shot past the goalkeeper from inside the box.
The hosts created chances, especially Corey Wilson, who was a threat throughout. He came close midway through the first-half but was denied from close range after an inswinging corner.
Despite Welwyn finding their feet in the game, the Pirates made it three in the 28th minute. Weyman stepped up for a free-kick right on the edge of the box and tucked it into the bottom right corner to extend the visitors’ advantage.
Weyman turned into a creator six minutes later, tackling a Welwyn defender on the edge of the box and playing through Allen, who completed his brace to make it four.
The Pirates had the chance to make it five in the 36th minute when Joey Evans was taken down in the box by the goalkeeper after he was played through. Evans’s effort from the spot-kick hit the crossbar, though, and the score remained 4-0.
Allen had chances to secure a first hat-trick for the Pirates, including a goal that was disallowed. It wasn’t to be, though, and the visitors had to settle for a 4-0 lead at the break
Second Half
Sinclair made 10 changes for the second half, with Jack Davies the only player to complete 90 minutes. Five minutes after the interval, the Pirates made it five through Agemoh-Davies. Tee’s effort was parried by the goalkeeper to the wing-back, who tucked a low finish into the bottom corner.
Agemoh-Davies had a golden opportunity to score a second in the 65th minute, but his volleyed effort at the backpost from a Tee cross went sailing wide.
Archie Jones also had a couple of chances to get on the scoresheet. However, the energetic midfielder was denied by some impressive saves by the Welwyn goalkeeper.
The lead became six in the 74th minute through Stevens, who scored his first goal of pre-season. He picked it up from Agemoh-Davies before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with a perfectly placed right-footed effort.
Four minutes later, the Pirates scored their seventh through Tee. The left winger received the ball on the corner of the box, taking it past two defenders and calmly slotting it into the bottom right corner.
Welwyn got on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute through Wilson. A perfectly weighted cross found the hosts’ number nine unmarked in the box, and he headed in.
After the game, Sinclair said:
“It will be a good pitch, some lads will get more minutes as we’re upping that load now. Yeah, obviously Hitchin were at step three last year, so it’ll be a good test for us to see where we’re at.”
Next up for the Pirates is an away match against Hitchin Town, who played in the Southern League Premier Central last season.
Also, keep an eye on the website and our social media channels on Friday 18th July, as the Southern League Premier Central fixtures will be released.
First Half XI: McGregor, Morrell, Cartwright, Davies, S.Ward, Galliford, Watkins, Richardson, Weyman, Allen, Evans.
Second Half XI: Mumford, Soile, Longden, Davies, Eniola Agemoh-Davies, Nicolson, T.Ward, Tee, Jones, Stevens, Hitchcock.
AFC Welwyn 1-7 Real Bedford
Tuesday 15th July 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Location: Wodson Park
