First-half damage proves costly for Real Bedford Women
Real Bedford Women suffered a 5-2 defeat away to Lewes in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division, with a difficult first half leaving the Pirates too much ground to recover at the Dripping Pan.
Lewes 5-2 Real Bedford Women
FAWNL Southern Premier
The Pirates were forced onto the back foot almost immediately. With just two minutes played, Emma Jones latched onto a ball over the top and finished past Meale to give Lewes an early advantage.
Real Bedford attempted to respond through Komani, who delivered into the box, before Nicola Puddick made a strong run down the left and crossed towards Head, only for the ball to prove too high. Those promising attacks were followed by another setback, however, as Ella Stephens met a ball across the area and converted to double the hosts’ lead inside the opening ten minutes.
Drè Georgiou tried to find a route back into the contest with a shot from distance that went wide. Kelci Bowers then picked out Head with a delivery into the box, but an offside decision halted the move. Amber Gaylor also found Melis Mehmet, whose effort was blocked as the Pirates searched for a foothold.
Instead, Lewes extended their advantage midway through the half. Ylenia Priest met a corner at the back post and headed home, leaving Real Bedford trailing by three.
The Pirates continued to create opportunities despite the scoreline. Georgiou’s corner flashed across the face of goal, narrowly evading Head, while Meale made an important save at the other end to prevent another Lewes goal. Gaylor then supplied Head with a promising ball, but the home goalkeeper denied the forward.
A fourth goal shortly before half-time compounded the Pirates’ problems. Paula Howells arrived to meet a ball into the box and score, sending Real Bedford into the break facing a substantial deficit.
Second half
Real Bedford found a response in the second half, with Head again involved in creating an opening. She played Komani through, and the forward slid her finish into the bottom-left corner to get the Pirates on the scoresheet around the hour mark.
Lewes continued to threaten, and Meale was called upon again to save from Emma Jones. Daisy Hind then replaced Gaylor as Real Bedford looked to build on the breakthrough and reduce the gap further.
The Pirates’ persistence brought a second goal. Komani won possession high up the pitch, creating the opportunity for Head to finish and make it 4-2. Having scored the first, Komani had now played a central role in the second, giving Real Bedford something to chase in the closing stages.
Molly Weaver replaced Bowers with around ten minutes remaining, but Lewes delivered the final blow late on. Substitute Breon Grant was played through and calmly found the bottom corner to restore the hosts’ three-goal cushion.
The second-half goals showed a response from the Pirates, but the damage sustained before the interval proved decisive.
The Pirates are back at home on Sunday 18th as they face Exeter City. Get your tickets here.
Lineup: Meale, McLean, Warren (C), Bowers, Puddick, Georgiou, Mehmet, Gaylor, Komani, Byrom, Head.
Subs: Bartlett-Antwi, Baker, Cunnison, Weaver, Delglyn, Hind, Garrad.