Real Bedford Women are now the only unbeaten side in Women’s National League Division One South East after a sixth win in nine league games against Dulwich Hamlet at the Ledger Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Second half strikes from Abbie Bensted, Tricia Gould and Chiara Meola saw Charlie Bill’s women to a 3-0 victory but they remain two points behind Actonians at the top of the league, although Real have played a game less.
The two face off at Rectory Park in West London next weekend.
Only Cambridge United have beaten Real this season, in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, but since that disappointing defeat, the Pirates have been in fine goal scoring form.
They followed up a 12-2 demolition of Chesham at the end of October with a similarly comprehensive 7-1 victory at London Seaward last weekend, but Dulwich Hamlet made them fight for their win on Sunday.
A tepid first half provided few moments of goalmouth action, but the game sprung into life five minutes into the second half after Dulwich shot stopper, Lily Murray gifted the ball to the prolific Abbie Bensted who made no mistake in breaking the deadlock with a calm finish.
The visitors were in the game until the 75th minute before Tricia Gould fired home into the roof of the net, with all three points secured just moments later as Gould turned provider for Chiara Meola to chip home a delicious third to put the tie to bed.
In securing a fourth consecutive win in all competitions, scoring 27 goals in the process, Charlie Bill’s side are well set for a key few weeks.
Real visit league leaders, Actonians next Sunday (24 November) before another big tie in the Women’s National League Cup quarter finals at holders, Hashtag United.
With a trip to London Bees also on the cards before the calendar year is out, the next three or four games could shape the rest of their season, but if the likes of Bensted and Meola continue to find the back of the net, Charlie Bill will rate his team’s chances in both the league and the cup.
