The Pirates’ Winning Run Continues
By Louie Truman
Real Bedford managed to secure a seventh win in a row, which puts them third in the league table, eight points clear of the play-off places. The Pirates put in a dominant away performance against Bishop’s Stortford, winning 5-0.
Within the first minute, Real Bedford received a penalty after Jones was fouled inside the box. However, Conor Tee had his penalty saved. Rob Sinclair’s side went on to create a couple of good chances; Setchell had a good spell with the ball, before being stopped on the edge of the box and Tee made a good run in behind, but the flag went up.
The hosts had a good opportunity in the 18th minute, King was brave to claim the ball as their striker almost broke free. Setchell continued to look dangerous; he broke loose, but the defender did well to catch him before he could have a shot on goal.
Real Bedford managed to open the scoring in the 31st minute, Jones did well to hold possession in the box which led to the keeper coming out, where Jones passed it to Stevens who tapped it into an empty net. The Pirates went close in the 37th minute; Setchell passed to Morrell, whose shot went over. Just minutes later, Real Bedford defended well, Davies managed to block a shot off the line. Just before the break, Bishop’s Stortford’s keeper makes a heavy touch, and takes Davies out. The keeper is sent off, and an outfield player assumed the role of goalkeeper for the rest of the match, due to them having no second choice keeper on the bench. The first half finished 1-0 to the Pirates.
Second Half
Real Bedford had an excellent start to the second-half, Stevens managed to double the lead. The outfield goalkeeper attempted to clear the ball, unluckily for him, it went as far as Stevens who lobbed him to get his second. Just moments later, Real Bedford had their third of the game; Stevens’ corner was not dealt with by Bishop’s Stortford and Richardson finished his chance well.
In the 58th minute, Rob Sinclair made his first change of the game, Ben Weyman came on to replace Drew Richardson. Wonderkid Ben Stevens got his hat-trick, which included a free-kick which was placed perfectly into the bottom right. This goal gave the Pirates a 4-0 lead.
Real Bedford continued to dominate, Hitchcock got on the score sheet with his second touch of the game in the 71st minute; Hitchcock managed to lay the ball off with his first touch before getting it back from Stevens to touch it in. The Pirates went on to control the game, and after a minute of stoppage time, it finished 5-0. It was an excellent all-round display from Rob Sinclair’s side.
In his post-match interview, Sinclair said:
“I think obviously them going down to ten, kind of killed the game, but it was the right decision. Even before that it was total domination, it could of been four or five even by that point.”
Next up for the Pirates is an away game against Stourbridge on Saturday the 21st of February.
Lineup: King, S.Ward, Richardson (Weyman 58’), Davies, Cartwright (Simmons 74’), Morrell (Galliford 74’), Jones (Hitchcock 69’), Tee, Setchell (Deall 62’), Stevens, Hilliard.
Bishop’s Stortford 0-5 Real Bedford
Tuesday 17th February
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: Woodside Park
