Late Exeter winner denies Pirates at the Ledger
Real Bedford Women suffered a late setback at the Ledger Stadium as Exeter City came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division.
Real Bedford Women 1-2 Exeter City
FAWNL Southern Premier
The Pirates began brightly, with Komani and Melis Mehmet creating opportunities inside the opening five minutes. That early attacking intent brought its reward in the 14th minute when the ball fell to Komani in front of goal. She finished into the top-right corner to give Real Bedford the lead and provide an encouraging platform for the afternoon.
Real Bedford continued to enjoy possession after the breakthrough. Grace Garrad picked out Komani’s run down the left, while Drè Georgiou’s delivery from the Pirates’ first corner landed on the roof of the net. There was then frustration when Real Bedford had the ball in the net again, only for play to be brought back for a dropped ball.
Instead of extending their advantage, the Pirates were pegged back in the 27th minute. Pollock won possession on the right, drove into the penalty area and sent a low finish across Meale to draw Exeter level.
Real Bedford responded with chances to restore the lead. Ellie Head forced a save around the half-hour mark and was denied again shortly afterwards. Exeter goalkeeper Erin Foley was called into action as the Pirates regained possession high up the pitch and curled an effort towards the bottom corner.
Meale also made an important contribution at the other end, saving a first-time effort from Sara after Pollock played the ball into the box. Amber Gaylor then attempted an ambitious strike from halfway after spotting Foley off her line, but the visiting goalkeeper recovered to save. Real Bedford’s appeals for handball following a late first-half corner were waved away, and the sides went into the break level.
Second half
Nicola Puddick provided a threat down the left after the restart, flashing one delivery across goal before another promising move saw Georgiou switch play towards her. Puddick’s cross found Kelci Bowers, but the Pirates could not apply the finishing touch.
Exeter enjoyed a spell of possession, with Garrad intervening to deny an effort on goal around the hour. Real Bedford introduced Sophie Byrom for Mehmet in the 63rd minute, and the substitute soon threatened when Georgiou found her run, only for her attempt to be intercepted. Bowers later advanced down the right and crossed towards Komani, but the opportunity passed without a second goal.
The Pirates’ task became harder in the 78th minute when Grace Garrad received a second yellow card, leaving Real Bedford to play the closing stages with ten players. Booked four minutes earlier, Garrad’s dismissal came with the match still finely balanced at 1-1.
Real Bedford introduced Blue Bartlett-Antwi for Nicola Puddick shortly afterwards, and the substitute quickly made an important defensive contribution. With Meale off her line and Exeter threatening, Bartlett-Antwi produced a crucial block.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Pirates continued looking for a winner. Sophie Byrom advanced down the left before finding Anele Komani, while a late free-kick from around 25 yards went wide of Exeter’s goal.
The decisive moment instead came at the other end. Vaccaro struck in the closing moments to put Exeter ahead for the first time.
It was a frustrating finish for Real Bedford, who had taken an early lead and created opportunities to regain the advantage after Exeter’s equaliser. Garrad’s dismissal made the final stages more demanding, and despite important defensive interventions, the Pirates were denied a point by the late winner.
The Pirates start their FA Cup campaign at home to Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers.
Lineup: Meale, McLean, Warren (C), Garrad, Puddick, Georgiou, Mehmet, Komani, Bowers, Gaylor, Head.
Subs: Bartlett-Antwi, Cunnison, Byrom, Hind, Delglyn.