Real Bedford Ladies Reach FA Cup First Round with Win Over Stevenage
Real Bedford Ladies bagged 4 goals across the 90 minutes to progress into the Vitality Women’s FA Cup first round proper.
In a highly-anticipated clash at McMullen Park, Real Bedford Ladies and Stevenage Women faced each other for the second time this season for a chance to progress to the first round proper of the FA Cup. The teams played in the league's opening weekend, a match which saw Real Bedford triumph 4-1 after opening the scoring in the first half against the run of play and Stevenage reduced to 10 players in the second half.
The expectation was that Stevenage wanted to avenge this result and take the Real scalp for the first time this season, and the opening 20 minutes of the match proved that both teams were up for it.
Real Bedford Ladies had the first chance in the 5th minute when Tasha Fensome broke down the left wing and delivered a testing cross, but Stevenage's defence managed to clear the danger. While Stevenage matched The Pirates in midfield, they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Gemma Franklin, in particular, put in a player-of-the-match performance, thwarting every Stevenage effort to make a chance.
Stevenage finally broke into the box in the 23rd minute, as Baker-Re sprinted down the left and delivered a well-placed cross to Amy Makewell, but her shot went wide of the target.
The breakthrough for Real Bedford Ladies came in the 41st minute. Newcomer Amber Smith, who had been a constant threat with her pace down the right wing, raced to the touchline and delivered an inch-perfect cross into the six-yard box, where Tasha Fensome, in the clear, nodded home from close range to give Real Bedford a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Second Half
The second half was a very different affair, as Real Bedford Ladies asserted their dominance, with Erin Price controlling the midfield. Within five minutes of the restart, The Pirates doubled their lead. Rolling back the years, Zara Carroll collected a pass from Cesca Partridge in the box and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, making it 2-0.
Fifteen minutes later, Bedford's captain secured her brace. CJ Martin delivered a pinpoint corner, and the unmarked Bedford legend rose to power a header into the back of the net, all but ending Stevenage's hopes of a comeback at 3-0.
Just two minutes later, Real Bedford Ladies added a fourth goal to their tally, with the pick of the bunch. A Cesca Partridge shot rebounded to Erin Price, who unleashed a strike from the edge of the box, finding the top left-hand corner of the goal.
The remainder of the match played out without any further goals. Real Bedford Ladies dominated this game, highlighting their progress under Dean Perrett and securing a place in the first round proper of the FA Cup.
The Pirates now face a formidable challenge in South Premier side Billericay Town in the First Round Proper.
Real Bedford Ladies 4 - 0 Stevenage Town Women
22nd October, 2023
Kick-off: 2pm
Location: McMullen Park
