Lewes Trip Ends in Defeat
By Will Murray
Real Bedford Women lost their second consecutive FAWNL Southern Premier Division match, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat to Lewes. Despite creating numerous chances in the first-half, the Pirates conceded either side of the break, meaning they left East Sussex empty-handed.
The hosts started positively and came close to opening the scoring through Player of the Match, Leah Lane. She was picked out by Paula Howells before attempting to chip Erica Meale, but the shot dropped inches wide.
Despite Lewes looking the most likely in the first 15 minutes, the Pirates came into the game midway through the first-half. After 17 minutes, Amber Gaylor saw her left-footed strike well saved by Emily Moore.
In the 33rd minute, Charlie Bill’s side came close again, this time through Lucy Wood. Issy Bryant found space on the right wing and fired a low cross to Wood, who struck over with a first-time effort.
The Pirates forced Moore into two important saves in the 35th and 36th minutes, respectively. First, Breon Grant shot straight at the Lewes goalkeeper after being played through, before Gaylor saw her curling left-footed strike from 20 yards expertly pushed away for a corner.
After creating numerous openings, Real Bedford Women were behind in the 42nd minute. A Rebekah Trewhitt run forward eventually saw the ball land at the feet of Chelsea Ferguson, who struck the ball in off the crossbar from the right side of the box.
Second Half
The hosts dominated the second-half, coming close to doubling their lead through Sarah Harvey and Ferguson, with the latter seeing her chipped effort drop just wide of the post in the 50th minute.
Lewes scored their second three minutes later through Ylenia Priest. A Lois Roche corner found Priest, who rose highest to head past Meale.
The chances kept on coming for the hosts, with Trewhitt scoring a third, only for it to be disallowed for offside by the linesman.
With the home crowd behind them, Lewes continued to press forward, and Meale made a number of important saves. She denied Hannah Godfrey and Paula Howells, in the 63rd and 82nd minutes, respectively.
There was time for one more chance in the 90th minute, when Olivia Carpenter’s cross found Lane, whose shot was deflected for a corner from point-blank range.
In his post-match interview, Bill said:
“A game of two halves. In the first-half, we did a lot of good in the game. We set out a game plan and we knew what they were going to pose. They’ve not lost at home in the league in over a year.
On the balance of play, we pressed high and forced turnovers in the first-half. We never got that first goal and conceded just before half-time. Second-half, we never really got a foothold in the game.”
Next up for the Pirates is a home match against Norwich City in the FAWNL Cup on Sunday 7th September.
Lineup: Meale, Byrom, Stovold, Evans, Williams, Biggadike, Bensted (O’Brien 71’), Gaylor, Wood (Hayes 88’), Bryant (Logie 71’), Grant.
Unused subs: Rush, Tambula, Smith, Pullen.
Lewes 2-0 Real Bedford
Sunday 31st August 2025
Kick-off: 2:00pm
Location: The Dripping Pan
