Vote for Real Bedford Women’s September 2026 Player of the Month

Real Bedford Women recorded two convincing FAWNL League Cup victories in September, beating London Bees 4-0 and Tottenham Hotspur PGA 3-0 to finish top of Group P.

The Pirates also faced two challenging Southern Premier Division fixtures, suffering 2-0 defeats against AFC Wimbledon and Portsmouth.

Four players have been shortlisted for our September Player of the Month award: Ellie Head, Sophie McLean, Anele Komani and Erica Meale.

Ellie Head

Head scored three goals during September, opening her Real Bedford account and helping the Pirates secure both League Cup victories.

Her first goal came at London Bees, where an excellent run and composed finish into the bottom corner helped establish an early advantage. She continued to threaten in the league, coming off the bench at AFC Wimbledon to see an effort cleared off the line before testing the Portsmouth goalkeeper the following weekend.

Head finished the month with a double against Tottenham Hotspur PGA. Having already forced a save and struck the post, she converted deliveries from Lily Whitelock and Melis Mehmet to secure a 3-0 victory. Her movement, finishing and combinations with teammates made her an influential presence across September.

Sophie McLean

McLean started all four September fixtures, contributing throughout a month that tested the Pirates in both league and cup competition.

She played an important part in the emphatic win at London Bees, with her shot producing the rebound that Sophie Byrom converted for Real Bedford’s third goal. McLean continued to threaten after the interval, testing the goalkeeper from distance and combining with Ellie Head as the Pirates searched for further openings.

At AFC Wimbledon, she advanced down the flank and looked to connect with Zynia Delglyn, providing support to the attack. Further starts against Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur PGA underlined her regular involvement, with McLean contributing to a side that finished the month with another convincing cup victory and clean sheet.

Anele Komani

Komani grew into an increasingly prominent role during September, bringing skilful footwork and a willingness to take on defenders to the Pirates’ attacking play.

Introduced at half-time against London Bees, she worked her way past defenders inside the box before attempting to find Lily Whitelock. She made another creative contribution from the bench at AFC Wimbledon, finding Amber Gaylor in the area during a move that ended with a blocked Lucy Wood shot.

Her first start came against Portsmouth, where she advanced down the right and sought to create an opening for Whitelock. Komani retained her place against Tottenham Hotspur PGA and was again involved in promising attacks, linking with Ellie Head and picking out Melis Mehmet after a purposeful run into the box. Across the month, she offered a growing creative threat from both the bench and the starting XI.

Erica Meale

Meale contributed in all four September matches, helping the Pirates keep clean sheets in both League Cup victories and producing important saves during their tougher league encounters.

Her month began with an unexpected early introduction at London Bees, replacing the injured Maddison Millington-Stanbury after five minutes and helping Real Bedford complete a 4-0 win. At AFC Wimbledon, she produced an excellent fingertip save towards the bottom corner and made another second-half stop as the Pirates pursued a route back into the game.

Against Portsmouth, Meale made several interventions, including a double save to deny Beattie and Mallon while the match remained goalless. She rounded off September with another influential display against Tottenham Hotspur PGA, making two saves before the opening goal and protecting the Pirates’ narrow advantage after the break. Her contribution helped provide the platform for a 3-0 victory to close the month.

Have your say

Who gets your vote for September’s Player of the Month? Choose from Ellie Head, Sophie McLean, Anele Komani and Erica Meale. Vote below.