Pirates Put on a Show at the Vitality Stadium to Overcome Promotion-Chasing AFC Bournemouth
By Louie Truman
The Pirates delivered on the big stage, defeating promotion-chasing AFC Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium. Wood and Mehmet were on target as Real Bedford got back to winning ways.
Bournemouth made the better start to the fixture, Williams was forced into making two great clearances and Stovold made an important header away from goal as the Cherries continued to create opportunities.
In the 14th minute, Bournemouth had a shot, but Meale made an easy save. The Pirates managed to defend well as the Cherries dominated possession. Bournemouth had a shot on goal which led to Meale making a good save, but the ball rolled off her glove, Stovold had to make a goal line clearance.
The Pirates started to look better; Grant made a run into the box, but the chance was quickly defended. In the 34th minute, the Pirates managed to open the scoring. It was an excellent run by Byrom down the right. She crossed the ball into the box, and Lucy Wood managed to finish her chance at the back post.
Despite the opener, Bournemouth managed to score the equaliser; Katie James had a powerful right-footed strike from the edge of the area, blasting the ball into the net. Just moments later, Bournemouth nearly scored to go ahead, but the shot got cleared. It ended level at the break.
Second Half
Just after the second-half, Real Bedford scored to go ahead; Grants cross managed to find Melis Mehmet, who found the back of the net. After the goal, the Pirates continued their momentum and had another shot on goal, but the Bournemouth keeper made a good save.
The hosts went on to create a couple of good chances, Meale made an important save, and Bournemouth had a shot which went just wide. The game became end-to-end, as Bensted had a shot from distance, which was followed by a shot from the Cherries.
In the 76th minute, Charlie Bill made his first change with Chloe Logie coming on to replace Lucy Wood. As Bournemouth aimed to secure the equaliser, Mehmet made a great clearance. The Cherries went on to have another two shots, and Meale made a fantastic save in the 91st minute. It finished 2-1 to the Pirates; an excellent result in front of a 5,500 crowd at the Vitality stadium.
In his post-match interview, Bill said:
“Days like today is tough putting it into words, I think the levels we showed today were phenomenal. We’ve highlighted all week that we didn’t want to come up here and make up the numbers.”
Next up for the Pirates is an away fixture against Oxford United on Sunday the 19th of April.
Lineup: Meale, Williams, Stovold, Warren, Puddick, Mehmet, Rush, Wood (Logie 76’), Bensted (O’Meara 83’), Grant, Byrom.
Unused Subs: Meollo, Fields-Davis, Baker.
AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Real Bedford
Date: 12th April 2026
Kick-Off: 2:00pm
Venue: Vitality Stadium
