The Pirates close in on league title with dominant WIN OVER Chesham
By Will Murray
Real Bedford beat Chesham United 4-0 at the Meadow, meaning they are one victory away from mathematically securing the FAWNL Division One South East title. Goals from Abbie Bensted, Leyla O’Brien and Freya Meadows-Tuson secured the victory for the Pirates.
The visitors would have been forgiven for starting slow, only three days after winning the Bedfordshire Senior Cup final at Kenilworth Road. Instead, they flew out of the traps, dominating the early stages and coming close to opening the scoring through Bensted and Meadows-Tuson, but both of their efforts were cleared off the line.
The Pirates broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, with O’Brien’s powerful right-footed effort striking the post, leaving an empty net for Bensted inside the box to tap home.
O’Brien scored a well-deserved goal seven minutes later. Breon Grant, who impressed on the right wing throughout, took it past two defenders before laying the ball to the Pirates’ number 22 who fired home from close range.
Grant came close to extending the lead just before the break, but she saw her right-footed effort hit the side netting, meaning it was a two-goal advantage at half-time.
Second Half
Chances were few and far after the break, with Charlie Bill’s side managing the game with controlled possession in the middle of the pitch. Gemma Biggadike’s corners were causing problems for Chesham with Bensted and Emily Wilson both narrowly missing the target from the captain’s set pieces.
O’Brien and Hayes also had opportunities in the final 10 minutes, as the Pirates looked to put the game beyond the hosts.
Meadows-Tuson, who was an assured figure at the back throughout the afternoon, made it three in the 90th minute. She headed home a Biggadike corner – her first goal for the Pirates.
There was time for one more through O’Brien. Biggadike played the ball to the number 22, who fired her shot in at the near post from the corner of the box.
Next up is a trip to AFC Sudbury, knowing that a victory will secure a second trophy in as many weeks.
After the match, Bill said:
“There will still be a lot of nerves. It’ll be a tough week approaching that game because you just want to get it done as early as possible. The nice thing is we have given ourselves a little bit of a buffer – it’s not just one game we have to win, but not only that we’re still unbeaten.
“Even when that inevitable comes and we win this league, which I feel like we deserve, we then have to make sure we keep our focus and that doesn’t drop all season because we want to make sure we don’t lose a game.”
The Pirates are next at home on Sunday 13th April, facing London Seaward in the league. Tickets for the match are available here
RBFC: Sansom, Warren (Evans 87’), Puddick, Meadows-Tuson, Stovold, Hayes, Biggadike, Gaylor (Wilson 72’), O’Brien, Grant (McLean 72’), Bensted.
Unused subs: Meola, Newman
Chesham United 0 - 4 Real Bedford
23rd March 2025
Kick-off: 2pm
Location: The Meadow
