Real Bedford Ladies round off 2023 with a Cup win
Two goals either side of half-time were enough to see The Pirates finish the year on a high, with a 2-0 away victory to AFC Dunstable in the League Cup.
The visitors maintained control of the game for the entire 90 minutes. Up against a youthful home side, Real Bedford Ladies showed their experience in windy conditions, stopping AFC Dunstable from creating a viable threat up the other end of the field.
With the breeze at their backs in the first half, Real Bedford created some good opening chances. The first was a one-on-one effort that fell to Tasha Fensome 20 minutes in; however, the Pirate's top-goal scorer failed to put it past the keeper.
Moments later, from a Chloe Martin corner, Captain Zara Carroll was inches away from making it 2-0 as her shot went just wide of the goal, leaving the skipper with her head in her hands.
On the half-hour mark, another fantastic delivery from Amy Reed set up Tasha Fensome in the 6-yard box, but the striker couldn't get the right touch to guide the ball into the back of the net.
Fensome did get her moment, though, just before the break. Cesca Partridge, pouncing on a loose ball inside The Pirates' half, directed the ball to Fensome, who played the ball ahead and used her blistering pace to create a one-on-one chance, which she dispatched to give Real Bedford the lead late in the first half.
Second Half
Ten minutes into the second half, Real Bedford doubled their lead. Lisa Milliken provided a well-timed cross on the right flank towards Gemma Croucher, the midfielder controlling the ball and tapping it past the keeper. The ball trickled towards the post but glanced inside the woodwork, rolling over the line before any AFC Dunstable player could get there.
The Pirates continued to create chances. Cecsa Partridge, Erin Price and Tash Fensome all had chances to further the visitors' advantage. Zara Carroll also attempted an audacious overhead kick late in the game but to no avail.
The best chance of the last quarter fell to replacement Neve Mayes, but her header towards goal from close range flew over the bar to the surprise of the Real Bedford bench.
The Pirates now progress in the League Cup and head into 2024 in great form.
AFC Dunstable Women 0 - 2 Real Bedford
17th December, 2023
Kick-off: 1:30pm
Location: Creasey Park
