Real Bedford Women Advance to Last 16 of FAWNL Cup with Derby County Victory
By Will Murray
Real Bedford Women progressed to the last 16 of the FAWNL Cup, with a 3-2 win against Derby County at the Ledger Stadium. An Amber Gaylor brace, along with an Issy Bryant wonderstrike, helped the Pirates come from behind to defeat the Ewes.
It was a perfect start for the Pirates, with Gaylor scoring a free-kick from the right wing after only minutes. Her low delivery was not dealt with by the visitors’ defence, and the ball eventually crossed the line, despite the best efforts of Harriet Wayne.
Derby pushed forward after the equaliser, though, with Minnie Wilson and Becky May forcing Erica Meale into a pair of important saves.
After a succession of chances for the visitors, they equalised in the 18th minute through May. She picked up the ball 20 yards out and drilled a low shot past Meale to bring the teams level.
Chene Muir, who was a threat throughout for the Ewes, then put Derby in front in the 32nd minute. Her powerful right-footed shot found the bottom left corner to give Sam Griffiths’ side the lead.
Second Half
It was an end-to-end start to the second half, with Ché Thomas forcing Meale into an important save before Bryant came close from a free-kick just after the hour mark.
Bryant, who is the Pirates’ top goalscorer this season, extended her tally for the season with the equaliser in the 65th minute. She received the ball from Sofia Stovold and unleashed a powerful right-footed strike, which found the top left corner.
Eight minutes later, the Pirates were in front through Gaylor. Her free-kick from 20 yards was deflected by the Derby defender, eventually dribbling into the bottom left corner past Wayne.
Derby looked dangerous in the closing stages, but Charlie Bill’s side stood firm to secure a seventh consecutive victory in all competitions.
In his post-match interview, Bill said:
“It was a proper cup tie. Really proud of the reaction more than anything. We were not quite at it in the first-half and I thought we were easy to play against.
“Second half, it was completely different. We were pinned in their half and deservedly won the game. A really good reaction and we’re delighted to be in the next round.”
Charlie Bill’s side have been drawn away to Burnley in the last 16 of the FAWNL Cup. More details will be announced in due course.
Next up for the Pirates is an away game in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup first round against Peterborough United on Sunday 26th October.
Lineup: Meale, Williams, Stovold, Evans, Puddick (Skyers 63’), Gaylor, Bensted (O’Brien 90’), Rush, Bryant, Grant, Logie (Byrom 63’).
Unused subs: Herd.
Real Bedford 3-2 Derby County
Sunday 19th October 2025
Kick-off: 2:00pm
Location: Ledger Stadium
