By Will Murray

Real Bedford moved to the top of the FAWNL Division One South East table with a 4-0 win against AFC Sudbury. Goals from Abbie Bensted, Leyla O’Brien and Amy Mclean secured the three points for the Pirates at The Ledger Stadium.

Bedford dominated the early stages with new signing Breon Grant causing problems in behind Sudbury’s backline. The deadline was broken in the sixth minute when Grant was released on the right wing before squaring it to Bensted, who dribbled past two defenders and smartly finished past the goalkeeper.

Charlie Bill’s side didn’t settle after the opener - creating numerous chances. Gemma Biggadike’s corner found an unmarked Jess Evans in the 17th minute, but she could not divert her header goalwards.

They came close again three minutes later when Bensted’s cross found Grant in the box, but her first-time volley just over the bar.

Bedford made their pressure count in the 22nd minute as a lofted ball from Evans put Bensted one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and she calmly slotted the into the bottom left corner to double advantage.

The lead became three in the 29th minute when Grant intercepted a pass from a Sudbury defender before playing the ball through to O’Brien, who dribbled into the box and tucked the ball past Nina Meollo.

O’Brien and Grant continued to link up with each other in the closing stages of the first half – both coming close to making it four – but the Pirates had to settle for a three-goal advantage at the break.

Second Half

Sudbury frustrated Bedford in the first 15 minutes of the second half, with Lina Nagib holding the ball up well for the visitors. Despite this, O’Brien came close to doubling her tally in the 67th minute, as she was played through on goal by Biggadike, but she dragged her left-footed shot narrowly wide.

Seven minutes later, Emily Wilson played the ball through to Grant, who squared the ball to Bensted in the box, but she was unable to secure her hat-trick, grazing the top of the bar with her right foot.

Sudbury survived another Bedford attack in the 81st minute when a mistimed clearance allowed Grant to run through on goal, but she was denied by an impressive goalline clearance from Sheryce Slater.

After missing a flurry of chances in the second half, it looked like the game was set to finish 3-0. McLean had other ideas, though, breaking through on the counter and hitting a left-footed shot in off the post to add a fourth for the Pirates, just before the final whistle.

After the game, Bill said:

“We know being top of the league – you can’t afford to not win games of football, so it’ll be reset, review this game, and then be ready to go Tuesday, back in Thursday, and ready for another massive game on Sunday.”

The Pirates are next at home on Sunday 2nd February, facing Norwich in the league. Tickets for the match are available here.

RBFC Women: Sansom, Warren (Newman 86’), Puddick, Biggadike, Evans, Stovold, Gaylor (Wilson 59’), O’Brien (McLean 72’), Meola (Hayes 81’), Bensted, Grant.

Unused subs: Gould.

Real Bedford 4 - 0 AFC Sudbury
26th January, 2025
Kick-off: 2pm
Location: Ledger Stadium