Bensted Brilliance Makes it Five Wins in a Row
By Will Murray
Real Bedford Women made it five wins in a row in all competitions, with a 1-0 win against Gwalia United in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division. Abbie Bensted’s 19th minute strike lifted the Pirates to fourth in the table.
After the long journey to South Wales, Charlie Bill’s side started on the front foot, with Sofia Stovold heading a Gemma Biggadike corner wide after five minutes.
Gwalia also created chances of their own, with Casi Gregson testing Nina Meollo from just outside the box three minutes later.
In the 19th minute, the Pirates took the lead through Bensted. A long ball over the top of the Gwalia defence by Stovold found the number 10, who took the ball in her stride and fired a driven effort into the bottom right corner.
Chloe Logie had the chance to double Real Bedford’s shortly after when she was played through, but Benedicte Haaland was on hand to block the one-on-one.
Gwalia tested the Pirates’ defence before the break, with Beth McGowan’s free-kick in the 35th minute forcing Meollo into another important stop.
Georgia Walters’ deliveries from set pieces were threatening throughout for the hosts, but Meollo and the defence stood firm to maintain the one-goal lead at the break.
Second Half
After an open first-half, the second half was a scrappy affair, with both teams struggling to find any fluency.
Walters threatened to equalise with a curling effort that went just wide after the interval, while Issy Bryant and Breon Grant also came close to finding the target.
Nicola Puddick was introduced in the 61st minute, making her first appearance of the season after suffering an injury during pre-season. She played a crucial part in the Pirates’ defensive resolve as Gwalia continued to search for the equaliser in the dying stages.
After a number of stoppages in the second half, the officials announced 13 minutes of added time, leading to a tense finish.
Gwalia thought they had equalised deep into stoppage time, however Walters, who found the net, was found to be in an offside position.
The Pirates held on for the three points to make it three wins in a row in the league and five in a row in all competitions.
In his post-match interview, Bill said:
“It felt like a long, long game. There wasn’t a lot in the game, but Abbie scored a phenomenal goal.
In this league, especially when you go away and you’re not at your best, it’s important to do the basics right, keep a clean sheet and then ultimately we feel with our front four, our quality is going to win us the game.”
Next up for the Pirates is a home game in the league against Exeter City on Sunday 12th October.
Lineup: Meollo, Williams, Stovold, Evans, Byrom (Puddick 61’), Biggadike, Bensted (O’Brien 80’), Rush, Bryant, Grant (Hayes 90+2), Logie (Gaylor 80’).
Unused subs: Herd
Gwalia United 0-1 Real Bedford
Sunday 5th October 2025
Kick-off: 2:00pm
Location: University of South Wales Sports Park
