Second Half Subs Make the Difference in Beds Senior Cup Comeback Win
By Will Murray
Real Bedford advanced to the second round of the Bedfordshire Senior Challenge Cup with a dramatic 4-3 win against AFC Dunstable. Ben Stevens and Josh Allen both scored second half braces to overcome a two-goal deficit after half-time.
Rob Sinclair’s side lost to the OD’s in the semi-final of last year’s competition and were under pressure in the early stages when Tyler McGregor pulled off an impressive save to deny Maks Jarzabek.
After a period of early pressure from the hosts, the Pirates settled into the game and came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute when Ben Weyman shot just wide.
Two minutes later, a cross from the right wing found Drew Richardson, whose header hit the crossbar. The rebound fell to Tom Hitchcock, but he was also unable to find the target.
After an end-to-end start, AFC Dunstable found themselves in front in the 21st minute through Ake, who was released on the left wing and saw his deflected shot find a way past McGregor.
Conor Tee was lively for the Pirates and shot wide five minutes later, but Dunstable doubled their lead in the 28th minute through Avto Akhsiashvilli. Like the first goal, the OD’s built their attack down the left-hand side, and the winger cut in on his right foot and extended the hosts’ advantage.
Real Bedford continued to create chances despite going 2-0 down and were given a lifeline just before the break, when Hitchcock was fouled by the last defender, Mwita Mgoyo, who was sent off for the challenge.
Despite being down to 10 men, Dunstable came inches away from making it three just before the break, when the ball was cut back to Akhsiasvilli from only six yards out. He blazed his shot well over the bar, though, meaning it remained a two-goal lead.
Second Half
Sinclair made a double change at half-time, with Ben Stevens and Archie Jones coming on to overturn the deficit. After early pressure, Stevens brought one back in the 63rd minute with a whipped first-time effort into the top left corner.
Two minutes later, Stevens levelled the game by looping a right-footed strike into the top right corner. He received the ball from Josh Setchell on the left wing and managed to place his effort just over Matthew Bonsu.
The momentum was all with the Pirates after Stevens’ quickfire double, and it wasn’t long until they were in the lead. Josh Allen scored his fifth goal in three games when he received the ball from Hitchcock inside the box and fired a low left-footed shot past Bonsu.
With the clock ticking down, it looked like Real Bedford had booked their place in the second round. The hosts had other ideas, though, and dramatically equalised in the 94th minute through Kyle Brooks, who lashed home past McGregor after a scramble in the box.
Seconds later, the Pirates attacked down the left, with Weyman delivering a cross that was tapped home by Allen to complete a remarkable night of cup action and secure a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions for Real Bedford.
In his post-match interview, Sinclair said:
“First-half, we lacked energy and intensity. It was the first time I can probably say that the lads didn’t approach the game in the right way.
In the second half, we completely dominated, and we were a lot better. Like I said to the boys before the game, you want to continue the momentum of winning games, and we’ve done that.”
Next up for the Pirates is a home game against Barwell in the Southern League Premier Central on Saturday 11th October. You can get your advanced tickets here.
Lineup: McGregor, Longden, Cartwright, Morrell (Allen 66’), Simmons, Weyman, Richardson (Jones 46’), Soile, Hitchcock, Ahmed (Setchell 56’), Tee (Stevens 46’).
Unused subs: Watkins.
AFC Dunstable 3-4 Real Bedford
Tuesday 7th October 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Location: Creasey Park
