Ledger Stadium Return ends in Fulham defeat for Real Bedford Women
By Will Murray
Real Bedford Women lost 1-0 to Fulham in their first pre-season game at the Ledger Stadium. Despite an improved second half performance, the Pirates were unable to find an equaliser against the Cottagers, who scored the only goal of the game after eight minutes.
Charlie Bill’s side started positively in front of a 125 crowd, with Sophie Byrom cutting in after two minutes and seeing her right-footed effort impressively tipped over the bar.
Fulham quickly created chances of their own, hitting the post in the seventh minute before opening the scoring a minute later. The ball was cut back to Fulham’s number 21 on the edge of the box, who fired a low strike into the bottom corner past the trialist goalkeeper.
The visitors had opportunities to double their lead, but they were denied on a couple of occasions by the trialist goalkeeper.
Lucy Wood and Breon Grant threatened throughout the game for the Pirates, and looked the most likely to get on the scoresheet. Grant found Wood in the 26th minute, who found space inside the box, but she dragged her effort narrowly wide.
Abbie Bensted was introduced in the 37th minute, and she helped to create a few half chances before the break. The Pirates were unable to find a way through, leaving them work to do in the second half.
Second Half
Bill’s side improved in the second half, with Nicola Puddick and Grant pushing the Fulham defence back with their pace out wide. The first significant chance the Pirates created was in the 72nd minute, when Sofia Stovold headed over a Milly Hayes corner.
Byrom, who was brought back on in the 73rd minute, saw her deflected effort go just wide in the 85th minute. A minute later, Grant set herself free on the right wing before squaring it to Wood, whose first-time effort went inches wide of the left post.
Bensted also had a speculative attempt late in the game, but Real Bedford Women were unable to find the equaliser they were looking for.
Next up is a trip to Derby County at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday 3rd August.
Our first game at tier three sees us away to AFC Wimbledon on Sunday 17th August. You can view the full fixture list here.
First Half XI: Trialist, Warren, Stovold, Evans, Puddick, Hayes, Trialist, Wood, Bryant, Grant, Byrom.
Subs: Bensted 37’, Trialist 73’, Byrom 73’
Real Bedford 0-1 Fulham
Sunday 27th July 2025
Kick-off: 2:00pm
Location: Ledger Stadium
Attendance: 125
