Pirates' Perfect Run Continues with Hard-Fought Win Over QPR
Real Bedford secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over QPR at Loftus Road, preserving their perfect start to the season. QPR dominated the better chances of the first half, hitting the bar, but late strikes from Mitchell and Dicks sealed the victory for The Pirates.
Real Bedford marked a historic moment in their club history as they stepped into Loftus Road for their first-ever match in a senior league club stadium. The club’s historic aura was palpable, with photos of QPR legends like Terry Venables, Les Ferdinand, and Ray Wilkins decorating the walls of this historic stadium.
The Pirates were looking to maintain their 100% start to the season while QPR were eager to pick up their first win. Both teams came into the match off the back of impressive cup victories against higher-level opposition; Bedford defeated their local rivals MK Dons 3-0, while QPR had won against last season’s level 4 winners, Wimbledon.
With both teams playing their third game in eight days and the temperature soaring, fatigue was always likely to be a factor, and it showed in a cagey first half. Much of the opening 30 minutes was contested in the midfield as both sides cautiously felt each other out, leading to a goalless and largely uneventful first 45 minutes.
QPR had the better chances of the half and would have felt aggrieved not to go into the break ahead. Darcy Guy, in goal for Bedford, was called into action early on in the 7th minute when Ash Goddard set up Alana Munro, but Guy was quick to smother the effort and concede a corner. The Pirates’ first real sight of goal came in the 16th minute when Chiara Meola's long-range effort curled narrowly wide of the far post.
Courtnay Ward-Chambers, a constant threat in midfield for QPR, found space from 25 yards out, but her shot fizzed just wide of the target. QPR came agonisingly close again in the 25th minute when Georgie Lewin’s header from Laura Henness’ corner was cleared off the line by Hannah Warren. Ward-Chambers continued to test Bedford’s resolve with another long-range strike, this time rattling the bar with a half-volley from 25 yards. QPR headed into halftime feeling unlucky not to be ahead, having dominated the better chances.
Second Half
The second half started in a similar fashion, but as substitutions were made to bring on fresh legs, the game opened up. The introduction of Alex Dicks, Milly Hayes, and Tricia Gould injected new life into The Pirates, who began to create more meaningful opportunities. Dicks made an immediate impact, finding space down the left and testing the QPR defence with two dangerous efforts, though both narrowly missed the target.
Despite Bedford now creating the better chances, QPR continued to press well from midfield, but they found themselves up against a resilient defensive display from Warren, Stovold, Evans, and the outstanding Kerry Newman, who was named Player of the Match.
The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute when Hannah Warren broke down the right, reaching the byline before cutting the ball back to Alex Dicks. Her mis-hit found Laura Mitchell, who was in the right place at the right time to fire home from eight yards and give The Pirates a crucial lead.
As QPR desperately pushed for an equaliser, Bedford struck again in stoppage time to seal the victory. A loose clearance found Amy McLean, who ran at the QPR defence before cutting back and squaring the ball to Dicks. The forward made no mistake this time, slotting home to open her account for The Pirates and secure the three points.
Real Bedford maintained their 100% start to the season, but QPR will feel frustrated and unlucky not to have taken something from the match.
RBFC Women: Guy, Warren, Puddick (Hayes 66’), Biggadike, Stovold, Mitchell (Price 88’), Wilson (Gould 66’), Bensted (Dicks 66’), Meola (McLean 82’).
QPR 0 - 2 Real Bedford
1st September, 2024
Kick-off: 2pm
Location: Loftus Road
