Real Bedford Women open the season with a 3-1 win over cheltenham town
Real Bedford Women started the campaign with all three points after an impressive display at Kayte Lane.
The Pirates made a positive start to the fixture, creating several early opportunities. In the 13th minute, Lucy Wood opened the scoring in spectacular fashion. She collected the ball in the middle of the Cheltenham half before firing an effort into the top corner to give Real Bedford the lead.
Just a minute later, Hunkin produced an excellent save to prevent the hosts from finding an immediate equaliser.
In the 29th minute, Melis Mehmet doubled the advantage. Some brilliant attacking play ended with Wood striking the post, before Mehmet reacted quickest to the rebound and calmly finished to make it 2-0. Charlie Bill’s side continued to create chances, but Cheltenham defended well to keep themselves in the contest.
Gaylor then tested the Cheltenham goalkeeper with an effort from range, before they pulled one back just before half-time. Leo Joyce met Chloe Snook’s delivery into the box and guided the ball home, reducing the deficit and sending the Pirates into the break with a slender 2-1 lead.
Second half
Cheltenham came out strongly in the second half and began to build momentum. Real Bedford were forced into multiple goal-line clearances as the hosts pushed for an equaliser. Despite the pressure, the Pirates continued to threaten at the other end, creating two excellent chances that forced a pair of impressive saves from the Cheltenham goalkeeper.
In the 72nd minute, Charlie Bill made his first change of the afternoon, with Sophie McLean replacing Melis Mehmet. Moments later, Georgiou delivered a dangerous free-kick towards Blue Bartlett-Antwi at the back post, but her effort struck the crossbar.
The Pirates eventually put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time. Another dangerous in-swinging free-kick from Georgiou found Whitelock, whose effort came back off the post. Blue reacted quickest to the loose ball and smashed it home to settle nerves and make it 3-1.
That proved to be the final action of an impressive afternoon, as Charlie Bill’s side secured a perfect start to the season with a 3-1 victory.
Next up for the Pirates is their first home fixture of the season, against Fulham on Sunday, 23rd August. Get your tickets here.