Bedford's Ruthless Second Half Seals 5-1 Victory Over Moneyfields In The LeAgue Cup
Real Bedford Women continued their League Cup campaign in style with a commanding 5-1 victory away to Moneyfields. The visitors put on a clinical second-half display scoring four goals and ensuring they are in the hat for the quarter-finals.
The game started with Real Bedford asserting control, earning a series of corners that kept the pressure on the home side. However, despite Bedford’s early dominance, the scoreline remained level until the 14th minute. Some skilful work down the left by O’Brien opened up space for Puddick, who squared the ball to Abbie Bensted for a well-placed finish to put Bedford 1-0 up.
Moneyfields tried to respond, with Granger firing a loose ball from the edge of the box in the 22nd minute, but Sansom comfortably gathered it. Moments later, Jeal tested Sansom again with a low shot, but Bedford’s keeper was equal to it, keeping the score intact.
As the half wore on, Moneyfields grew into the game, and in the 37th minute, Wood connected with a corner that seemed destined for the top corner. However, Sansom pulled off a stunning save to deny the hosts.
Just before halftime, Emma Moody’s cross caught the wind and seemed to be curling into the top right corner, but once again, Sansom was alert, tipping it away to maintain Bedford’s 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Second Half
Bedford emerged from halftime looking to extend their lead, and their attacking intent paid off quickly. In the 55th minute, after Bensted’s initial shot was saved by the Moneyfields keeper, Chiara Meola was on hand to slot home the rebound, doubling Bedford’s advantage.
Just three minutes later, a perfectly weighted through ball from Meola found McLean, who expertly slotted past the keeper to make it 3-0 to Bedford. The visitors seemed to be cruising, but Moneyfields responded immediately. Albuery latched onto a pass from Libby Doyle in the 60th minute to pull one back for the hosts, making it 3-1.
Despite the setback, Bedford continued to press forward, and in the 65th minute, Tricia Gould produced a moment of magic. Dribbling through the heart of the Moneyfields defense, she chipped the keeper from the edge of the box to restore Bedford’s three-goal cushion.
In the 78th minute, Emily Wilson thought she had added a fifth for Bedford, but her goal was ruled out for offside. Moneyfields kept fighting, and in the 86th minute, Albuery tested Sansom again after a chaotic scramble in the box following a free kick from Doyle. However, Sansom remained solid, ensuring the hosts couldn't find a second goal.
Two minutes later, Bedford sealed their win when a defensive error gifted the ball to Emily Wilson, who calmly slotted it past the keeper to make it 5-1.
The Pirates are next at home on Sunday 27th October, facing Chesham in the league. Tickets for the match are available here.
RBFC Women: Sansom, Warren, Puddick, Biggadike (Evans 83’), Clarke, Stovold, McLean (O’Leary 73’), O’Brien (Gould 56’), Mitchell (Wilson 64’), Meola, Bensted (Hayes 73’).
Moneyfields 1 - 5 Real Bedford
20th October, 2024
Kick-off: 2pm
Location: John Jenkins Stadium
