Ponticelli at the double as Pirates beat Rushall Olympic

The Pirates threatened inside three minutes when Jack Morrell headed narrowly off target from a free-kick, although the hosts had to defend a succession of attacks.

They then went on the front foot, as Ponticelli thought he had broken the deadlock midway through the first half, producing a neat flicked finish, only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations.

Ben Stevens then worked room for a shot by cutting inside twice, but his effort was saved, as Archie Jones then received a yellow card moments later.

The Pirates continued to combine well going forward, Conor Tee’s delivery just beyond its intended target, before Sam Cartwright regained possession and released Tee for a shot that was kept out.

At the other end, Craig King tipped a header over the crossbar, while Carter Lycett’s effort was deflected narrowly wide.

Josh Setchell then broke into the box, but couldn’t apply the finishing touch, as Ponticelli headed into Ollie Taylor’s hands and Drew Richardson fired wide in first half stoppage time.

At the start of the second period, King was called into action almost immediately, saving Lewis Corbett’s effort from the edge of the area.

Real Bedford then had the ball in the net once more when Rushall put through their own goal, but another offside flag saw it chalked off.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 50th minute, as it owed much to Ponticelli’s determination and composure, with the striker winning a flick-on, chasing his own header and rounding the goalkeeper before putting the Pirates ahead.

Just two minutes later, Richardson doubled the advantage, as the captain rose highest inside the box to head home.

Rob Sinclair’s side kept pushing, Cartwright going close to adding a third when his header struck the crossbar just before the hour, as Ponticelli shot inches wide.

The summer signing soon had his second goal, as Tee broke free and unselfishly squared for the striker to double his tally, putting the hosts firmly in control.

Setchell and Ponticelli had efforts saved, as Real Bedford remained alert defensively, as in injury time, Sam Collins made an important block to help preserve the clean sheet.

Real Bedford were also victorious on Tuesday night, as they triumphed 4-1 at Leiston.

The visitors took the lead when Setchell scored on 23 minutes, as they had a penalty on the hour mark, Stevens converting.

Leiston pulled one back on 71 minutes, as they were awarded a spotkick of their own, Adam Mills on target, but the Pirates restored their two-goal advantage minutes later through Ponticelli.

Later on, Stevens had another penalty that he netted to double his tally and seal the victory.

Real Bedford head to Racing Club Warwick this weekend.

» Real Bedford Women recovered from conceding an early penalty to win 3-1 at Middlesbrough in their FA Women’s National League Cup clash on Sunday.

The afternoon began with an immediate setback as Boro were awarded a spotkick that Bridget Galloway converted, but the Pirates responded immediately, given a spotkick of their own that saw Ellie Head equalise.

Real Bedford then moved 2-1 ahead just after the half-hour mark, Head grabbing her second of the afternoon, as the visitors made sure of victory on 75 minutes, Anele Komani powering home a loose ball.

The Pirates host Fulham in the FA Cup this weekend.