Real Bedford have been drawn at home to Stamford in the Isuzu FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round.

The match will take place on Saturday 4th October and kick-off at 3pm.

In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will take place to decide who reaches the first round of the competition.

The tie is one 64 across the country, as all step three teams in the non-league pyramid enter the competition.

How Many Wins are Required to Reach the First Round Proper?

If we beat Stamford, we will enter the first round proper of the FA Trophy.

Seven wins are then required to reach the final, which will take place at Wembley Stadium.

FA Trophy 2024/25 Performance

Our 2024/25 FA Trophy campaign started with a hard-fought victory against Walthamstow. Isaac Galliford’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi. In the 88th minute, Josh Setchell secured the victory for the Pirates, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper from inside the box.

Next up was a home game against Leighton Town. It ended up being a comfortable 4-0 victory for Sinclair’s side, with goals coming from Joey Evans, Setchell, Eniola Agemoh-Davies and an impressive halfway-line effort from Ben Stevens.

Our hopes of reaching the first round proper of the FA Trophy ended with a 3-0 defeat to Bowers & Pitsea. The hosts, who played in the Isthmian League Premier Division, proved to be too strong for the Pirates and progressed with goals from Alex Teniola and TQ Addy.

First Qualifying Round - Walthamstow 1-2 Real Bedford
Second Qualifying Round - Real Bedford 4-0 Leighton Town
Third Qualifying Round - Bowers & Pitsea 3-0 Real Bedford

THE OPPONENTS

Stamford are bottom of the Southern League Premier Central table after eight games. So far, they have picked up three points in the league, scoring three and conceding 13.

They have enjoyed success in cup competitions this season, though, winning their first two matches in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. They have beaten Coventry Sphinx and Shepshed Dynamo, without conceding a goal.