Cast your vote for Real Bedford Women's October Player of the Month.

Real Bedford Women opened October with a 3-1 comeback win at Plymouth Argyle and closed it with a 2-2 draw at Oxford United, ending the league leaders’ perfect start.

The Pirates also reached the second round of the Women’s FA Cup with a 5-0 victory over Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers at the Ledger Stadium. 

Four players have been shortlisted for our October Player of the Month award: Anele Komani, Ellie Head, Nicola Puddick and Sophie Byrom.

Anele Komani

Komani scored in all five of the Pirates’ October fixtures. She came on at half-time at Plymouth, beat the goalkeeper to the ball and chipped in the equaliser that set the comeback in motion. At Lewes, she scored Real Bedford’s first before winning possession high up the pitch to create Ellie Head’s goal. 

She opened the scoring against Exeter City and came off the bench to curl the fifth into the top corner in the FA Cup win over Dussindale & Hellesdon. Her final goal of the month earned a point at Oxford, Komani pounced on a loose ball in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-2. 

Ellie Head

Head started all five October games and scored three goals. At Plymouth, she linked up with Nicola Puddick in the first half before calmly finishing late on to seal the 3-1 win. She found the net again at Lewes, taking her chance after Anele Komani regained possession high up the pitch. 

Head broke the deadlock against Dussindale & Hellesdon with a powerful finish in the 29th minute, giving the Pirates the lead on their way to the FA Cup second round. She was still creating chances in the final game of the month, sending a cross across the face of goal as Real Bedford pushed for a winner at Oxford. 

Nicola Puddick

Puddick started all four of Real Bedford’s October league matches and gave the Pirates an attacking outlet from defence. She combined twice with Ellie Head in the first half at Plymouth, getting into space for an early shot. At Lewes, she drove down the left and crossed towards Head, while against Exeter she picked out Kelci Bower in the box. 

Her display at Oxford showed what she offered at both ends. Puddick arrived in space to fire home Sophie Byrom’s pass and give the Pirates an early lead, then made an important clearance as the league leaders pressed for a response. 

Sophie Byrom

Byrom’s direct running gave the Pirates a threat out wide throughout October. She came on before half-time at Plymouth and tested the home defence as Real Bedford turned the game around. Against Exeter, she threatened after coming off the bench and picked out Anele Komani down the left as the Pirates continued to look for a winner.

Byrom finished the month with a goal and an assist in successive games. She took Molly Weaver’s pass and found the bottom corner to put Real Bedford 2-0 up against Dussindale & Hellesdon. Three days later, her run into the Oxford penalty area opened up the space for her to pick out Nicola Puddick for the opener. 

Have your say

Who gets your vote for October’s Player of the Month? Choose from Anele Komani, Ellie Head, Nicola Puddick and Sophie Byrom. Vote below.