Real Bedford Women Impress in First Pre-Season Outing with 3-1 Win
Real Bedford Women kicked off their pre-season campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory away to Wycombe Wanderers at the 1878 Stadium, producing an encouraging display in their first outing ahead of the new season.
The Pirates made the perfect start after just five minutes when Lucy Wood opened the scoring. She drove forward with confidence before beating the goalkeeper at the near post to give Real Bedford an early advantage.
The attacking pressure continued throughout the opening stages. Rush played an inviting ball into the box, but neither Izzy Lane nor Melis Mehmet could apply the finishing touch. A minute later, O’Brien burst forward on a brilliant run before picking out Lane in space, only for the Wycombe goalkeeper to produce an excellent save.
Real Bedford continued to dominate possession and create chances. O’Brien was next to threaten on 15 minutes, driving into the penalty area before seeing her effort drift wide. Wood tested the goalkeeper again three minutes later with a well-struck effort that was saved, before Lane found herself one-on-one in the 20th minute. Unfortunately, the ball ran away from her slightly, allowing the goalkeeper to collect comfortably.
The pressure finally paid off in the 22nd minute. Lane found the back of the net to double Real Bedford’s advantage.
A number of changes were made on the half-hour mark, but the momentum remained with Real Bedford. Erica Meale was called into action on 33 minutes, comfortably dealing with Wycombe’s first meaningful effort on goal.
Real Bedford headed into half-time with a deserved 2-0 lead after an excellent opening 45 minutes.
Second Half
Several changes were made at the break, as the Pirates introduced Trialists and Development players into the game.
Wycombe responded positively after the restart and reduced the deficit just two minutes into the second half. A looping effort flew over our Trialist keeper and into the roof of the net to make it 2-1. Five minutes later, the hosts threatened again from a free-kick just outside the penalty area, but the effort narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Further substitutions on the hour mark allowed Real Bedford to rotate the squad while maintaining their intensity. Lane and Hannah Warren combined well throughout the second half, linking play effectively as they searched for a third goal.
Mehmet produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 74th minute, stealing possession from a defender before turning sharply and firing narrowly over the crossbar.
The decisive third goal arrived in the 82nd minute through excellent teamwork. Mehmet raced towards goal before drawing the goalkeeper out of position. She squared the ball to Lane, who powered her finish into the net to claim her second goal of the afternoon and seal the victory.
There was still time for another opportunity late on as Mylee Baker latched onto a superb through ball in the 86th minute. She created space inside the box and aimed a low effort towards the bottom-left corner, forcing another save from the goalkeeper.
It proved to be an excellent way to begin pre-season for Real Bedford Women, who earned a deserved victory at the 1878 Stadium as preparations for the new campaign got off to the perfect start.
Lineup: Meale, Warren, Cunnison, Trialist, Puddick, Gaylor, Rush, Mehmet, O’Brien, Wood, Lane
Subs: Stichbury (Dev), Bishop-Jones (Dev), Trialist, Trialist, Trialist
Wycombe Wanderers 1-3 Real Bedford Women
Date: Sunday 5th July 2026
Kick-Off: 2pm
Venue: The 1878 Stadium
