Late Stovold strike secures CRUCIAL three points for the Pirates
By Will Murray
Real Bedford maintained their lead at the top of the FAWNL Division One South East table, thanks to an added-time winner from Sofia Stovold in a 2-1 win against Actonians. Amber Gaylor’s stunning first-half strike was cancelled out by Amber Dredge before Stovold headed home a Milly Hayes free-kick in the dying stages.
Charlie Bill’s side struggled for fluency in the opening stages, and instead, the visitors provided a threat on the counter attack. Jasmine Williamson, who was lively throughout for Actonians, saw her low shot well saved after only four minutes.
The Pirates came close to the opener only five minutes later, though, as Leyla O’Brien’s headed effort following a lofted ball from Stovold went narrowly wide.
Actonians defended well and frustrated the hosts in the opening half, with Abbie Bensted, Gaylor and O’Brien all missing half chances.
Just before the break, the Pirates found some much-needed momentum. In the 43rd minute, Breon Grant received the ball on the left wing and fired a shot that was pushed away for a corner by Elisa Dogor.
Two minutes later, Gaylor received the ball from Bensted 20 yards out and struck a perfectly placed left-footed effort into the top corner to put the Pirates in front.
Second Half
After the interval, the hosts dominated possession but were restricted to long-range efforts, including a Gemma Biggadike half-volley from 20 yards, which went wide of the right post.
Gaylor and Grant had chances to double the Pirates’ advantage, but they were both unable to convert. Actonians punished the hosts for their missed chances in the 75th minute when a ball over the top found Dredge, who lobbed Chloe Sansom with a first-time effort.
Bill’s side responded well to this setback and came agonisingly close through Grant in the second minute of added time after she was unable to divert the ball home from close range.
In the 94th minute, the hosts scored the all-important winner, as Stovold headed home a Hayes free-kick to spark jubilant celebrations from the home supporters.
The result keeps the Pirates one point clear of Norwich City, with two games in hand. Next up is a trip to Ashford Town – one of four away games in the last five matches of the league season.
After the match, Bill said:
“We know they sit in with their back five and their gameplan worked. They’re a side that, even if they go behind, their gameplan doesn’t change, so we knew that we had to work hard for the second.
“By far not our best performance but again still the same number of points as QPR, Cambridge United and the games before Christmas.”
The Pirates are next at home on Sunday 13th April, facing London Seaward in the league. Tickets for the match are available here
RBFC Women: Sansom, Warren, Puddick, Biggadike (Hayes 83’), Evans, Stovold, Gaylor, Meola, Bensted (Wilson 95’), O’Brien (McLean 67’), Grant
Unused subs: Meadows-Tuson
Real Bedford 2 - 1 Actonians
9th March, 2025
Kick-off: 2pm
Location: Ledger Stadium
