Real Bedford’s unbeaten run continues, but they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Chatham Town in a tightly contested match at home. Bedford aimed to make it four wins from four, but a resilient Chatham side and a second-half red card left the hosts hanging on for a point.

The match started with Chatham applying intense pressure, pinning Bedford in their own half for the first 10 minutes. The away side came with a strategy to unsettle The Pirates and the physio staff were busy all afternoon.

Bedford's first real chance came in the 16th minute when Laura Mitchell delivered a cross into the box, but Jess Evans was unable to get a clean shot, with Chatham's keeper, Simone Eligon, making a comfortable save. A minute later, Gemma Biggadike tried her luck from distance, forcing Eligon into a spectacular save to keep the score level.

In the 20th minute, Bedford found a breakthrough when Abbie Bensted threaded a perfect through ball to Mitchell, who rounded Eligon but was fouled in the box, earning Bedford a penalty. Unfortunately, Mitchell suffered a head injury in the process and would be substituted later in the half. Bensted calmly converted the penalty in the 23rd minute, slotting it into the bottom corner to give Bedford a 1-0 lead.

Chatham had their chances as well, with Ellie Jeffkins swinging in a dangerous free kick in the 41st minute, but Otesua Charles’ header went wide, keeping Bedford in front at halftime.

Second Half

The second half started similar to the first with Bedford using their passing game to get around the intense pressure of Chatham, but the game turned when Chiara Meola, already on a yellow card, was shown a second for dissent in the 50th minute, reducing Bedford to 10 players. Chatham capitalised quickly, as a defensive mistake allowed Lottie Sharp to score from close range in the 52nd minute, levelling the game at 1-1.

With the numerical advantage, Chatham piled on the pressure. Bedford’s keeper Darcy Guy was called into action multiple times, making critical saves to deny Jess King in the 74th and 77th minutes. Despite Chatham’s dominance, Guy stood firm, keeping the scoreline intact.

In added time, Chatham had one last chance to steal all three points, but Jeffkins’ shot sailed over the bar. The match ended 1-1, with Bedford disappointed to miss out on a fourth consecutive win, but proud to maintain their unbeaten streak.

The Pirates are back at home on Sunday 22nd September, facing AFC Sudbury in the league. Tickets for the match are available here.

RBFC Women: Guy, Warren, Puddick, Biggadike, Evans, Newman, Wilson (Price 86’), Mitchell (McLean 41’), Gould (Hayes 92’), Meola, Bensted (Dicks 80’).

Unused Subs: Herd.

Real Bedford 1 - 1 Chatham town
8th September, 2024
Kick-off: 2.00pm
Location: Ledger Stadium