Real Bedford Power Past Leiston Under the Lights
Real Bedford secured a third successive league victory with a clinical 4-1 win away to Leiston, as two Ben Stevens penalties helped the Pirates return from Suffolk with all three points.
Leiston 1-4 Real Bedford
Southern League Premier Central
The Pirates showed early attacking intent, with Sam Cartwright finding a promising position before being flagged offside and captain Drew Richardson shooting wide in the fourth minute.
Leiston also threatened during an open start. Fraser Alexander had a shot blocked before forcing Craig King into a save following a counter-attack. Conor Tee saw an effort deflected wide for Real Bedford, while Ponticelli attempted an ambitious scissor-kick that was gathered by the goalkeeper.
King was called upon again in the 13th minute when Seb Dunbar’s cross-field pass found Harvey Sayer, who cut inside and shot. The Pirates’ goalkeeper made the save, but Sayer came closer seven minutes later, taking advantage of a defensive mistake to round King before shooting into the side netting.
Real Bedford punished that missed opportunity in the 24th minute. Sam Collins’ deflected effort fell to Setchell, who reacted sharply and finished into the bottom corner to give the Pirates the lead.
The breakthrough was followed by further pressure. Tee met Collins’ cross but had his effort blocked, before Jack Davies attempted to release Stevens with a through ball that ran just beyond him.
Real Bedford had the ball in the net again in the 34th minute, only for the referee to rule out the effort for a foul inside the penalty area.
There was defensive work to do as well, with Dunbar’s cross headed away as Mills closed in. The Pirates then had several efforts blocked during another attacking spell, and Tee’s driving run ended with his shot charged down in the 40th minute.
Richardson recovered possession in a dangerous area shortly before the interval, helping Real Bedford protect their slender advantage heading into the break.
Second half
The Pirates began the second half positively, with Stevens denied almost immediately after the restart.
Setchell then beat two opponents and supplied Collins, who fired over in the 51st minute. Two minutes later, Ponticelli struck the side netting as Real Bedford continued to search for a second goal.
Richardson made an important headed clearance from a dangerous delivery before Kyran Wiltshire looked to play Stevens through, only for the pass to carry too much weight.
The second goal arrived in the 63rd minute. Awarded a penalty, the Pirates entrusted Stevens with the responsibility, and he emphatically dispatched his spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Rob Sinclair introduced Elliot Simmons for Collins two minutes later. Leiston’s Mills was subsequently booked, while Setchell also received a yellow card as the contest entered its final quarter.
The hosts were handed a route back into the match when substitute Willie Clemons was fouled inside the penalty area. Mills took the resulting penalty in the 71st minute and scored despite King getting a strong hand to the ball, reducing Real Bedford’s lead to 2-1.
With the game briefly back in the balance, Jack Morrell produced an important sliding challenge before Ponticelli restored the Pirates’ two-goal cushion.
The striker seized on a mistake from goalkeeper Robinson and calmly chipped the ball over him, making it 3-1 in the 75th minute. It was another composed finish from Ponticelli, who followed his brace against Rushall Olympic with a goal for the third successive match.
CJ Kiala replaced Setchell immediately afterwards, but Leiston still threatened. Mills released substitute Ollie Long, who drove towards the Real Bedford defence before shooting narrowly wide.
Josh Allen replaced Ponticelli in the 80th minute and quickly made an impact, winning another penalty after being brought down inside the box. Stevens stepped up again and converted in the 84th minute to put the result beyond doubt.
Callum Kane replaced Tee, and Tom Hitchcock came on for Wiltshire as Sinclair completed his changes. Richardson received a late booking before the Pirates saw out two minutes of added time.
Four goals, a decisive response to Leiston’s brief fightback and contributions throughout the side ensured another productive evening for Real Bedford, extending their winning run following victories over Anstey Nomads and Rushall Olympic.
The Pirates have a week off, then travel away to Racing Club Warwick on Saturday 21st November.
Lineup: King, Morrell, Richardson (C), Cartwright, Collins, Davies, Wiltshire, Tee, Setchell, Stevens, Ponticelli.
Subs: Hitchcock, Kane, Allen, Kiala, Simmons.