Real Bedford Ladies put 9 past King’s Lynn on the road
The Pirates walked away the winner in a clash between top and bottom. The nine unanswered goals included braces from Izzy Crooks, Gemma Croucher, and a hat-trick from Neve Mayes doing most of the damage.
Despite the cold and windy conditions created by Storm Isha, Bedford produced an electric start. Just 10 minutes into the game, Gemma Croucher had a chance to open the scoring in front of goal, but a strong save from King’s Lynn goalkeeper Erica Meale denied her opening from opening the scoring. However, Real Bedford got off the mark soon after. A good run down the flank from Sophie Billing was accompanied by a great pass into the area, which Neve Mayes managed to tap home and give The Pirates the lead.
The next two goals would come in almost identical fashion to the first. Amber Smith created both down the right wing and smashed home by the inform Gemma Croucher, who now boasts 5 goals in the last 3 games. Her first goal came just moments after Mayes’ first goal, followed by her second 15 minutes later.
Up until 5 minutes left in the first half, King’s Lynn had managed to keep the score at three nil, but some more individual brilliance from Jasmin Ajayi undid this defensive work. The midfielder collected the ball on the edge of the area, striking it clean from 30 yards, over the head of Meale and into the roof of the net.
Then, just before the break, Real Bedford struck again. A slaloming run from Amy Reed from right-back proved tricky for the hosts to defend, allowing her to reach the by-line and cut the ball back to Mayes, who slotted it home for her second just before the whistle.
Second Half
The Pirates started brightly in the second half, with Mayes completing her hat-trick shortly after the break. Lisa Milliken swung a great ball into the area off a Pirates corner, which Mayes managed to get the last touch on as it was bundled towards goal by a group of Real Bedford and King’s Lynn players.
After assisting two goals in the first half, Smith finally got on the score sheet herself. After being put through thanks to a well-weighted pass from Cesca Partridge, Smith used her pace to round the defenders and slot the ball home from a tight angle.
Smith was also involved in the final two goals in the last 20 minutes of the game. As was the replacement midfielder Izzy Crooks. Smith again used her pace down the right flank to get the ball in dangerous positions, and Crooks was on hand in the 70th and 88th minutes to smash home the delivery.
The win puts The Pirates on 36 points, having passed the halfway stage in the league. Real Bedford now take a week off league action with a return to McMullen Park against Watford Development in the cup this weekend.
King’s Lynn 0 - 9 Real Bedford
21st January, 2024
Kick-off: 2pm
Location: Swaffham Town FC
