Real Bedford seized the initiative in Women’s National League South East Division One with a huge 1-0 victory at Actonians on Sunday (24 November), leapfrogging the Londoners to the top of the league.
Substitute, Leyla O’Brien was the match winner as Charlie Bill’s side remain unbeaten in the division ahead of another big weekend this Sunday (1 December) in the League Cup.
This game was a far cry from some of the thrashings that Real have instilled on their opponents this season, with two equally matched sides cancelling each other out until O’Brien came off the bench to swing the pendulum in the Pirates’ direction.
It was the home side who had the first chance of the game as Hana Lalani volleyed wide for Actonians before Mara Bramwell had a free kick saved by Chloe Sansom in the Bedford goal.
The closest the home side could get was via an excellent free kick from Lalani on the hour mark that crashed off the underside of the crossbar, but the game’s deciding moment came five minutes after a double substitution from Bill.
Amy McLean and Leyla O’Brien came on and it was the latter who gambled at the far post after Tricia Gould’s cross evaded everyone to find the substitute who powerfully finished into the roof of the net.
It would prove to be the winner, despite the dangerous Lalani making Sansom work in the Bedford goal, but Charlie Bill’s side held on for what could be a key 1-0 win come the end of the season.
Huge win
It’s a key stage of the campaign for Real with holders, Hashtag United to come in the quarter-finals of the Women’s National League Cup this coming Sunday.
Manager, Charlie Bill was quick to heap praise on his players after a big ninety minutes and heading into another big week.
“It’s a huge win”, said Bill post match.
“We knew the magnitude of the game driving down here and we also knew they’d won five out of five at home so it was going to be tough.
“With the conditions and 45mph winds as well, it was difficult in the first half but as soon as we had the wind behind us in the second, I always knew we’d create moments.
“We probably didn’t create as many moments as we would have liked but that’s why we have a squad of 17 or 18.
“The four that came on at the end had a huge impact on the game and Leyla [O’Brien] took her goal really well.”
Real have already beaten two step three sides in getting to the quarter-final stage of the League Cup, and they will hope to make it a third on Sunday in beating a Hashtag United side who are challenging for a step three title in the Southern Premier Division.
The game on Sunday 1 December at Park Lane, home of Hashtag United in Essex, kicks off at 2pm.
