the pirates score 8 as they book their place in the womens Senior Cup final
By Will Murray
Real Bedford booked their place in the final of the Bedfordshire Senior Cup with a dominant 8-0 away victory against Biggleswade United. Leyla O’Brien, Milly Hayes, Nicola Puddick, Amy McLean and Amber Gaylor scored the goals for the Pirates – a win that sets up a final against Luton Town Ladies.
It was nearly a nightmare start for the visitors as Biggleswade scored after only a minute, as a slip up from Darcy Guy in goal allowed the hosts an easy tap in, but the linesman flagged for offside.
After this early scare, Charlie Bill’s side dominated and nearly opened the scoring through McLean, O’Brien and Hayes, with them alll hitting the crossbar.
The Pirates’ pressure was rewarded in the 27th minute when Puddick released O’Brien on the left wing, who cut in and fired a shot past the goalkeeper at the near post.
One quickly became two, three minutes later. O’Brien caused problems down the left and cut the ball back to Gaylor, whose effort was deflected into the net by a Biggleswade defender.
O’Brien, who won Player of the Match for the second game in a row, scored her second of the afternoon in the 42nd minute, when she fired a low effort past the goalkeeper after receiving the ball from McLean.
The best goal of the day came shortly after. On the brink of half-time, Hayes flicked the ball over a defender and expertly half-volleyed it into the top left corner – putting the game beyond the hosts reach, just before the break.
Second Half
There was no let-up from the Pirates after half-time. Two minutes after the restart, O’Brien completed her hat-trick when she brought down Gemma Biggadike’s lofted ball over the top and confidently finished past the Biggleswade shot-stopper.
Bedford’s in-form number 22 then turned creator three minutes later, playing a one-two with Puddick, who calmly made it six with her left-foot.
Just before the hour mark, the Pirates made it seven – this time McLean got on the end of a misjudged backpass and slotted the ball home to get on the scoresheet.
Gaylor, who had previously hit the crossbar earlier in the half, scored the eighth in the 71st minute. She received a lofted cross from Chiara Meola in the box, tucking the ball away with a first-time left-footed effort.
The Pirates had chances to extend their advantage in the closing stages, with Abbie Bensted denied by the offside flag and a couple of impressive saves by the Biggleswade goalkeeper.
Next up for the Pirates is a trip to AFC Sudbury in the league on Sunday, 23rd February.
After the match, O’Brien said:
“I don’t normally score that many goals, so it’s a bit of a change, but I’m loving it.
I think we are showing our quality more and more, and obviously the league is our main priority, but we’re into a final now, so we’ve got to focus on that as well.”
The Pirates are next at home on Sunday 9th March, facing Actonians in the league. Tickets for the match are available here
RBFC Women: Guy, Warren, Puddick (Bensted 62’), Biggadike, Newman, Stovold, O’Brien (Meola 62’), McLean, Wilson, Hayes, Gaylor.
Unused subs: Evans.
Biggleswade United 0 - 8 Real Bedford
16th February, 2025
Kick-off: 2pm
Location: Stratton Upper School
