We hit the road for the first time this pre-season campaign as we pay a visit to step 3 Real Bedford this evening for a 19:30 kick-off, marking the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
After securing promotion to the Southern League Premier Division Central by topping the Southern League Division One Central, the Pirates narrowly missed out on promotion to step 2 last term.
Rob Sinclair’s side finished third in the division and, in turn, qualified for the play-offs. However, the Pirates were cruelly denied a fourth consecutive promotion as they fell to defeat against Spalding United after extra time in the Southern League Premier Division Central Play-Off Final.
The side from Bedfordshire will no doubt be looking to go one better this coming campaign and secure that all-important promotion to step 2 after going so close last season, a campaign which also saw the Pirates reach the Second Round Proper of the Isuzu FA Trophy.
Bedfordshire-born and a product of Luton Town’s academy, 22-year-old Josh Allen joined the Pirates in July last year from St. Ives Town and made quite an impact leading the line during his debut season at McMullen Park.
The striker netted 28 goals across the 2025/26 Southern League Premier Division Central campaign, helping to propel Rob Sinclair’s Pirates into the play-offs. Allen will be looking to carry that form into the coming season and help his side go one better.
After a successful playing career which saw him featured for the likes of Stevenage and Forest Green Rovers, Rob Sinclair began his coaching career at Dunstable Town before being appointed manager of Eynesbury Rovers in October 2021, guiding the club to a ninth-place finish in the United Counties League Premier Division South.
In May 2022, he took charge of the Pirates and enjoyed immediate success, leading the club to the Spartan South Midlands League Division One title with 99 points and lifting the Bedfordshire Senior Trophy. Sinclair had overseen three consecutive league title-winning campaigns when he earned a new two-year contract ahead of Real Bedford’s first season in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
Real Bedford and the Wood have not yet faced each other, making tonight’s fixture the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
This fixture kicks off at 19:30 and is unsegregated.
Ledger Stadium
McMullen Park
Meadow Lane
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK44 3LW
Adult – £6.00
Concession (60+) – £4.00
Youth (13–17) – £1.00
Under 12 – FREE
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
