Real Bedford Women Hit Five in Pre-Season Victory
Real Bedford Women continued their impressive pre-season preparations with a commanding 5-0 victory over London Bees, producing a disciplined defensive display alongside some clinical finishing.
London Bees threatened early on, sending their first effort over the crossbar before creating a one-on-one opportunity that was brilliantly snuffed out by Hannah Warren, who recovered superbly to deny a clear sight of goal. The Pirates continued to defend resolutely, with Puddick producing another important block to keep the hosts at bay.
Having weathered the early pressure, Bedford found their rhythm and took the lead in the 11th minute. Izzy Lane found space on the edge of the area and fired a composed finish into the bottom corner to give the Pirates a deserved advantage.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead moments later when Lane’s inviting cross found a trialist, whose effort rattled the crossbar. Lane continued to cause problems down the right flank, delivering another dangerous ball into the box midway through the half, while Puddick created another excellent opportunity with a cross that the trialist controlled and turned towards goal, only for the London Bees goalkeeper to produce an outstanding save.
At the other end, Cunnison led an assured defensive performance as Bedford continued to limit the hosts’ chances. Their pressure was rewarded again in the 33rd minute when Fields-Davis struck a powerful low effort into the bottom corner to send the Pirates into half-time with a 2-0 lead.
Second Half
Real Bedford started the second half brightly and extended their advantage just three minutes after the restart. Another pinpoint delivery from Lane found Byrom, who calmly headed into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
Fields-Davis almost added a fourth after a brilliant solo run past three defenders, only to see her effort blocked, while Warren continued her impressive afternoon with another crucial block inside the area. London Bees enjoyed a spell of pressure just before the hour mark, but Meale was equal to it, producing two excellent saves in quick succession to preserve her clean sheet.
The Pirates remained dangerous going forward and Amber Gaylor tested the goalkeeper with a powerful strike from distance before The Pirates added a fourth. Puddick picked out Mehmet with an excellent pass, and she turned smartly inside the box before calmly slotting home.
There was still time for a fifth as Puddick’s corner was met by Cunnison, whose powerful header looped over the goalkeeper and into the net to cap off an excellent afternoon.
It was another highly encouraging pre-season performance from the Pirates, who combined disciplined defending with clinical finishing to secure a convincing victory over London Bees.
Lineup: Meale, Puddick, Cunnison, Warren, Trialist, Fields-Davis, Mehmet, Baker, Byrom, Lane, Trialist.
London Bees 0-5 Real Bedford Women
Date: Sunday 12th July 2026
Kick-Off: 2pm
Venue: The Hive
