Match Preview | Real Bedford (H)
The Yeltz welcome the league leaders to The Grove to start part one of the August Bank Holiday weekend
Head to Head
There has been just the two meetings between the two sides, and both came last year. A 3-2 home win for us almost a year to the day, and a last minute 2-1 defeat in Bedfordshire in March.
The most recent meeting at The Ledger Stadium saw the hosts take the lead just under 10 minutes after the half-time break. Ben Stevens found Josh Setchell down the right, who beat Reece Mitchell for pace before dispatching a right footed effort past Dan Platt’s near post.
Our equaliser didn’t come until the 82nd minute, as a Fin Holmes cross to the back post found Jason Cowley. The latter landed awkwardly on the deck, but still managed to find now Pirates man Jordan Ponticelli to head into the net from close range. The hosts winner came in the final minute of the six additional, as a pass from Ben Weyman in the middle found Jack Morrell down the left, who found the bottom corner with a low driven strike.
Russ Penn’s Thoughts
“We come into this game off the back of a good away result. I was really impressed with our resilience. Having been in this league for a couple of years now, I know Needham is a tough game. A side relegated from step 2 just two years ago, and a long trip on top of that.
“We play a side today, who are probably the best team in the league. They have started the season impeccably, and are a very well run. They are still a new team on the block, but we’ve done our homework, and are now ready and prepared to face them.
“A lot can be taken from the two close games against Rob’s side last season. Every club have their own bogey team, and I’m sure they will have a lot of respect for us, as we do for them. Now, there are a few players who have played for both sides, who were good for us, but time moves on.
“There is more than one reason why we have such a good home record, and the fans contribute to 50% of that. Everyone associated with this club cherish and look forward to a Saturday afternoon at The Grove, and it’s up to us get them going, but it works the other way as well. I’m looking forward to a game between two teams on matchday 4, early in the season, battling it out.”
Opposition Overview
Goalkeepers
Craig King
The 28 year old signed last October from fellow step 3 side Sholing. The former Luton Town academy man featured 28 times in the National League South in the 24/25 season, completing seven straight seasons at the level. Last season, he made 12 league appearances for Sholing, and started all 30 of Real Bedford’s league games since his arrival. He has started all four of their league games so far this season.
Defenders
Sam Cartwright
The 26 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from then step 3 Spalding United. The former Peterborough United academy man made 35 league appearances for the Tulips in the 24/25 season, before making the same amount for the Pirates last season. He has scored once and started all four of their league games so far this season.
Jack Morrell
The 25 year old signed in the summer of 2024 from then step 3 side Biggleswade Town. The former Stevenage & Gillingham man missed made 30 league appearances last season having been a big part of their promotion the campaign prior. He has scored once and featured in all four of their league games this season, but only started once.
Drew Richardson
The 25 year old signed in November 2023 from step 4 Corby Town. The former Luton academy man has featured in all 82 of the Pirates league games across the last two seasons, scoring seven goals. He has started all four of their league games so far this season.
Shaheim Ward
The 26 year old signed in the summer of 2024 from then step 5 side MK Irish. The right sided defender has missed just two of the clubs 82 league games across the last two seasons, both coming in their promotion campaign. He has started all four of their league games so far this season.
Midfielders
Sam Collins
The 22 year old signed in the summer from step 2 King’s Lynn Town. The midfielder and former Nottingham Forest academy man made 24 National League North appearances last season, before going on loan to the Pirates and making seven appearances. He has started all four of their league games so far this season.
Archie Jones
The 25 year old signed in the summer of 2023 from then step 2 Bishop’s Stortford. The midfielder scored eight goals in 24 league games in their 24/25 promotion season, before matching that goal tally in 41 league games last season. He has featured in all of their four league games this season, but all have come off the bench.
Elliot Simmons
The 28 year old signed last September from Bedford Town. The midfielde who has spent his career in Spain, Sweden, Finland, and Canada featured in 21 league games last season. He has featured in all of their four league games this season, but all have come off the bench.
Ben Stevens
The 22 year old signed in the summer of 2023 from step 4 Kempston Rovers. The former Luton academy scored 46 goals in 76 league games across their seasons at step 4 & 5, before scoring 15 goals in 42 league games last season. He has scored once and started all four of their league games so far this season.
Conor Tee
The 26 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from the Yeltz. The former Leicester City academy man scored 16 goals in 41 league games for us in the 24/25 season, but managed six in 40 league games last season. He already has four goals and started all four of their league games so far this season.
Andi Thanoj
The 33 year old signed in the summer from Kettering Town. The former Grimsby Town academy man with over 150 NL North appearances to his name, made 38 league appearances in the Poppies midfield last season. He has started all four of their league games so far this season.
Forwards
Mo Ahmed
The 31 year old signed in the summer of 2023 from step 5 Newport Pagnell Town. The striker featured five times in the league for the Pirates last season, having struggled with injuries in recent campaigns. He has only featured once in the Pirates four league games this season, and that was off the bench.
Josh Allen
The 22 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from then step 3 St Ives Town. The striker scored 12 goals in 42 league games across both AFC Sudbury & St Ives in the 24/25 campaign, before becoming the league’s second highest scorer last season with 28 goals in 41 league games. He has already scored four goals and started all four of their league games so far this season.
Owen Brooks
The 21 year old signed in the summer from step 4 MK Irish. The winger scored 14 goals in 42 league games. He has only featured once in the Pirates four league games this season, and that was off the bench.
Tom Hitchcock
The 33 year old signed in the summer of 2022 from step 4 Cambridge City. The man with over 50 Football League appearances to his name, scored 10 league goals in the Pirates promotion season, but managed three in 27 league games last season. He has featured in two of their league games so far this season, both off the bench.
CJ Kiala
The 19 year old signed in the summer from Luton Town’ academy. The winger joined the Pirates for his first move in senior football. He has featured in all of their league games this season, starting all but one.
Jordan Ponticelli
The 27 year old joined in the summer from National League Tamworth. The striker featured for the Yeltz from September-December 2024 & February-April 2026. He scored once in 21 NL games last season for the Lambs, before scoring five times in 12 league games for us on loan. He has scored three goals and started all four of their league games so far this season.
Josh Setchell
The 24 year old signed in the summer of 2023 from step 5 side Harpenden. The winger scored 18 goals in the Pirates promotion season, and scored nine goals in 36 league games last season. He is yet to feature for them so far this season.