Real Bedford Women are through to the second round of the Women’s National League Cup, once again beating step three opposition after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Gwalia United in South Wales.
Gwalia United, formerly Cardiff City Ladies until this season, play in the Women’s National League Southern Premier Division, a step above Charlie Bill’s side, but Real once again came out on top.
Real had beaten MK Dons of the same division 3-0 to reach the first round proper and two late goals from Nicola Puddick and Sofia Stovold secured safe passage through to the next round.
It had been a three-hour journey to the Newport Stadium in South Wales and for much of the game, it looked to have been a journey for nothing as Gwalia took the lead from the penalty spot thanks to captain, Cori Williams-Mills on the stroke of half time.
This was after Abbie Bensted had hit the crossbar twice; once from a speculative 30-yard effort and another from inside the area that crashed against the woodwork while Amy McLean had an effort saved by Yasmin Davies in the Gwalia goal.
Saves from Real’s new goalkeeper, Chloe Sansom kept the Pirates in the game and Charlie Bill’s women equalised on 72 minutes.
Nicola Puddick, who had just returned from ten minutes in the sin bin, was on hand at the back post to lash home into the roof of the net but they were not content with a draw as a late winner left the visiting team’s bus home in a party atmosphere.
A long free kick into the Gwalia box was not dealt with and Sofia Stovold was on hand to poke it home, with Real Bedford holding on to steal a 2-1 victory and their names in the hat for round two.
“A complete performance”
Manager, Charlie Bill was understandably delighted with the final result.
“We’re really pleased. We wanted to test ourselves today because they are an established step three side.
“We haven’t been behind yet this season and that was a real challenge for us, and good teams at tier three level will punish you but we managed the second half well.
“We felt the moment was coming and when it did, we knew it would open the game up as both sides would want to win it in ninety minutes. All in all, we learnt from Wednesday’s [0-0 draw against Cambridge] and managed to get through.
“We didn’t want to panic after Wednesday because we’ve started the season so well but beating another tier three side is phenomenal and it was a complete performance.”
Their attention now turns to The Nest, where Norwich await in Women’s National League Division One South East; a strong side who missed out on promotion to step three last season despite losing just one game all season.
For now though, Real can celebrate what has been an excellent cup run already and reflect on what has been another very good start to the new campaign.
