The Pirates make it 13 on the bounce against Needham Market
A confident victory in windy conditions pushed The Pirates further from the pack at the top of the league table.
All three goals came from top goalscorer Tash Fensome on her return to the Starting XI, having recovered from a short-term injury. Fensome’s first came from a Needham blunder. Evie McKane and Lexie Pryke failed to collect the ball as it raced towards the Needham net, leaving Fensome with the prime opportunity to poke it past McKane for the first goal inside 30 minutes.
Seconds later, off the restart, Fensome’s poacher instincts struck again; this time, the Needham defence failed to deal with a ball from Lisa Milliken, which Fensome pounced on to head home for her second goal in as many minutes.
Second Half
Despite maintaining possession for long parts of the game, the strong winds prevented the visitors from creating too many chances to get back in the game. The third goal came midway through the half, as Amy Reed’s deep cross found Lisa Milliken, who tapped it back across the area for Gemma Croucher, who in turn played a selfless pass to the unmarked Fensome, who knocked it past the keeper for her hattrick, giving Real Bedford a comfortable lead.
Despite not being called upon for most of the game, Real Bedford keeper Sarah Hudson did have her work cut out in the final stages as the hosts looked to launch a late comeback. An audacious finish from Amber Cantwell from 35 yards out sparked hope for Needham, but a few good stops from Hudson denied them from getting anything out of the game.
The Pirates now travel to Stevenage this weekend in a bid to continue their impeccable league form.
Needham Market 1 - 2 Real Bedford
3rd February, 2024
Kick-off: 2:15pm
Location: Needham Market FC
