O’Brien’s Late Strike puts Real bedford top of the league
Real Bedford travelled to face league leaders Actonians in a pivotal match with the top spot on the line. The stakes were high, and Bedford rose to the occasion, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory in challenging weather conditions.
From the outset, Bedford dominated possession, dictating the pace of the game and pressing for an early breakthrough. While several half-chances emerged in the opening exchanges, the visitors couldn’t find the decisive touch.
The next opportunity came in the 19th minute when Meola struck from outside the box, narrowly missing the bottom-left corner. The pressure intensified in the 30th minute as a clever quick free kick allowed Laura Mitchell to send Bensted through on goal, but her effort was agonisingly wide.
Actonians found it difficult to gain a foothold, but their captain Bramwell tried her luck from a long-range free kick in the 34th minute, only for Sansom to make an easy save. Just before the break, Gould made a dazzling solo run down the left flank, cutting into the centre to unleash a shot, but it lacked the power to trouble Dogor in the Actonians goal.
Second Half
The second half began with both teams battling against worsening weather conditions. Heavy rain and swirling winds disrupted the rhythm, and the game grew more evenly matched as fatigue set in.
Actonians began to find their way back into the contest, and in the 62nd minute, a brilliant free kick forced Sansom into a spectacular fingertip save, deflecting the ball onto the crossbar to keep the score level.
Bedford refused to relent, and their persistence paid off in the 74th minute. Bensted connected with Gould on the right, and Gould’s perfectly weighted cross sailed into the box. It missed McLean but found O’Brien at the far post, who smashed it past the keeper for the decisive goal.
The final stages saw Bedford defend to preserve their narrow lead, with Sansom commanding her box superbly despite the difficult conditions. When the final whistle blew, Bedford had secured a vital 1-0 win, sending them to the top of the league.
The Pirates are next at home on Sunday 15th December, facing London Bees in the league. Tickets for the match are available here.
RBFC Women: Sansom, Warren, Puddick, Biggadike, Newman, Stovold, O’Leary (McLean 69’), Mitchell (O’Brien 69’), Meola, Bensted (Hayes 87’), Gould (Wilson 80’).
Unused subs: Guy.
Actonians 0 - 1 Real Bedford
24th November, 2024
Kick-off: 2pm
Location: Rectory Park
