Real Bedford Ladies exit the Women’s FA Cup
Step 3 side Billericay proved too strong for The Pirates on the day, as Real Bedford Ladies recorded their first loss this season.
Despite a 5-0 scoreline, the hosts battled hard and created many chances across the 90 minutes while being pushed on by a healthy crowd at McMullen Park.
The first goal came in the first few minutes of the game. Maddie Biggs burst through the defence, and while she appeared to be offside, the linesman failed to raise his flag. Goalkeeper Sarah Hudson rushed out to close the angle and blocked Biggs’ effort, but she knocked the rebound square to Ruby Sealey, who tapped it into a vacant net.
Despite the early blow, Bedford stayed strong. Some good footballing interplay between Erin Price, Chloe Martin and eventually Amber Smith saw the latter deliver a great cross towards Tash Fensome; however, Billericay’s Hope Smith smothered the ball before the striker could get a touch.
Ruby Sealey would have her second inside 10 minutes up the other end of the field. Amber Gaylor delivered a pinpoint diagonal ball to Sealey, who trapped it down and slotted it past Hudson for her brace.
Bedford were equal in the game for the rest of the second half and put much pressure on the Billericay defence. Tasha Fensome and Cesca Partridge had chances to shoot on target throughout the remainder of the first half, but both were collected comfortably by Hope Smith in goal. Gemma Croucher also gained a decent chance, but her efforts were just wide of the net.
Second Half
Despite the scoreline, Bedford entered the second half positively, knowing a goal would see them right back in the contest. Gemma Croucher drew a foul early on, allowing Carroll to whip in an inviting cross over to Fensome, whose header was inches from the target.
However, Billericay soon hit back with a third goal despite the pressure from The Pirates. Captain Lucy Jones, playing a perfect ball into the area off a corner, found the head of Amber Gaylor, who nodded it past Hudson to take Billericay clear with 20 minutes to go.
Tash Fensome was inches away from getting to the end of a good Chloe Martin delivery down the other end of the field moments later. But Billericay was proving too strong defensively to break down as Real searched for a late consolation goal.
However, it would be Billericay who would put themselves on the scoresheet again. Maddie Biggs curled a decent effort from just outside the area past Hudson for Billericay’s fourth. With the clock in the red, Amber Gaylor bagged her brace from 30 yards out with an optimistic effort, firing past Hudson with many Real Bedford Ladies players further up the pitch in search of a goal.
It was a strong effort from Real Bedford Ladies, who were praised by Billericay for their determination after the match. The Pirates return to McMullen Park in league cup action next weekend as they face step 6 side Wooton Blue Cross on Sunday, 19th November. Kick-off at 2 pm.
Real Bedford Ladies 0 - 5 Billericay Town
12th November, 2023
Kick-off: 1pm
Location: McMullen Park
