Jordan Ponticelli and Josh Allen continued their fine start to the new Southern League Premier Central season with another goal apiece as Real Bedford won 3-1 at Banbury United in Oxfordshire on Saturday (15 August).
Jack Morrell joined them on the scoresheet as Real Bedford maintained their 100% record in Southern League Premier Central with their third win in three games.
Real’s beginning to their new season has already outstripped the start of their 2025/26 campaign with two wins that could be key come April, as Rob Sinclair’s side have already beaten potential title rivals in Leamington and Peterborough Sports.
Read: Allen brace gives Real Bedford early season victory over potential title rivals
Pirates fight back from behind again
Saturday’s trip to the TUGO Community Stadium began in the worst possible fashion as the Pirates went behind early on again, conceding after just nine minutes.
Banbury started much the better, with captain Levi Steele squandering a great chance in the opening moments, but Aaron McCreadie was the man to break the deadlock.
That lead would last just nine minutes as Real’s new signing, Ponticelli netted his third in as many games.
Allen found himself on the end of a long ball, before proceeding to square it to the former Halesowen forward who tapped home to level proceedings.
Jack Morrell and Allen had chances to put Real in front before the break, but the two sides went into the changing rooms level at half-time, before Rob Sinclair’s side upped the gears in the second period.
Ponticelli had a decent effort denied in the early throws before Jacob Scott cleared an effort off the line with the Real number nine searching for his second of the afternoon.
Jack Harding then denied Allen with an excellent save, but it was not long before his defences were breached for a second time.
Ben Stevens was the provider, as his delicious cross found the head of Jack Morrell who headed home just after the hour mark, and the Pirates never looked back from there.
While Craig King in the Real goal did well to deny Joel Anker on two separate occasions, it was Allen who put the game to bed late on with Bedford’s third, securing a third win in three games.
“To get three points is pleasing”
Manager, Rob Sinclair was delighted with the win on what he described as a “sticky pitch”.
“I thought Banbury were the better side in the first 15 or 20 minutes, and got the goal they deserved, but for the rest of the game we felt we dominated”, said Sinclair.
“If we don’t start with the sloppy spell, it would have been an easier afternoon but we’re delighted with the win; to come away from home on a sticky pitch that doesn’t really suit us, to get the three points was pleasing.”
With Bury Town the only other side to pick up three wins from three, Real have already opened up a slender lead at the top of the division; a position they will hope to be in in seven months time.
Their fourth league game is next Saturday (22 August) as they return to the Ledger Stadium to host Stratford Town.
