Real Bedford’s Women continued their spectacular Women’s National League Cup run with a 5-1 victory at fellow step four club, Moneyfields in Portsmouth on Sunday to reach the quarter finals for the first time.
Charlie Bill’s side had already beaten step three opposition in MK Dons and Gwalia United to reach this stage, and were clinical against the Women’s National League Division One South West side.
Real Bedford were looking to bounce back to winning ways after being dumped out of the FA Cup at the third qualifying stage at Cambridge United last Sunday, after battling to a goalless draw at Norwich in the league the previous week.
It took just 12 minutes for the Pirates to take the lead as Abbie Bensted found herself on the end of a Nicola Puddick cross to slot home the game’s opener.
Chloe Sansom was then called into action in the Bedford goal, first from Skye-Louise Granger who let fly from the edge of the area before a second smart save from Brittany Jeal maintained Real’s lead.
Megan Wood’s header was also kept out brilliantly by Sansom as the hosts pressed for an equaliser, before the visiting goalkeeper was almost caught out by Emma Moody’s cross but did well to tip it over in an impressive first half for the Real shot stopper.
Clinical second half see Real through
Sara Luce in the Moneyfields goal was called into action with two quick saves of her own in the early stages of the second period, but Chiara Meola’s effort on 55 minutes did eventually double the Real lead.
She was quickest to react on the rebound from Bensted’s effort before Amy McLean sealed the cup tie on the hour mark as Meola became provider, slotting the ball through to McLean who made no mistake when through on goal to make it 3-0.
Shannon Albuery did get a goal back for the hosts to ignite an outside chance of a comeback as she latched on to Libby Doyle’s excellent assist but Tricia Gould’s wonderful strike from distance restored the three goal advantage soon after for Real.
Luce did well to keep Gould from scoring a brace when she was through on goal and an Emily Wilson effort was chalked off for offside, but Wilson did eventually get her goal late on to cap a great afternoon’s work on the south coast.
The 5-1 final result sees Real Bedford through to the last eight of the Women’s National League Cup.
A complete performance
Manager, Charlie Bill, called the game a “complete performance”.
“It was a complete performance away from home. We had to work hard in the first half, only going into the break with just the one goal but we came out in the second and showed our quality.
“I think its really pleasing, and after losing last week, we wanted a positive reaction and we certainly did that today.”
Real Bedford Women are now the only step four side left in the competition, and the quarter final draw takes place on Monday evening (21 October).
