Real Bedford Ladies 6-2 AFC Dunstable Ladies
Real Bedford Ladies 6-2 AFC Dunstable Ladies
ERWFL Premier Division
Sunday 12th May 2024
A tough run of away games and a second meeting in a week against league champions Real Bedford proved a difficult schedule for AFC Dunstable Ladies but they can be proud of their efforts despite the two successive defeats.
Sunday’s game was played in high temperatures with the visitors playing some of their best football of the season, in another match where the scoreline didn’t reflect their performance but the title winners were clinical with their opportunities in front of goal.
AFC kept the Pirates at bay for over half an hour before Tash Fensome opened the scoring for the hosts following a pass from Cesca Partridge in the 33rd minute.
This seemed to knock AFC as they conceded a further two goals before the break. Gemma Croucher’s shot came back off the woodwork straight to Fensome who tapped home from a yard out for her second of the game with 37 minutes on the clock. Fensome then became provider as half time approached when she set up Partridge who fired her shot into the top corner.
AFC again, like Wednesday night, came out with intent for the second half and pulled a goal back through Ella Rothwell in the 50th minute. However, they were knocked back again when a penalty was awarded for handball five minutes later, which Zara Carroll despatched to make it 4-1.
The OD’s kept going, never gave up and created chances themselves by playing some decent football but were harshly hit with another goal to the hosts in the 71st minute when the Fensome-Partridge partnership combined again to see the latter hit a strike on the turn into the net.
AFC kept plugging away though and a bizarre situation led to a penalty for the sky blues with eleven minutes left. Initial claims were waved away with Rothwell showing her frustration, the referee sent her to the sin-bin despite overturning his decision after speaking to his assistant. With the penalty given, Haile Richards converted the spot kick but Rothwell’s sin-bin wasn’t rescinded.
Real Bedford used the player advantage to score a sixth on 86 minutes when a corner from Lisa Milliken was met by Neve Mayes to score from close range.
Lilly Nellis was sent off for AFC towards the end of the match but manager Luke Molloy again was proud of his team’s efforts as they look to build for next season by adding to a squad with potential for the future.
They finish their campaign with a short trip to Barton Rovers on Sunday to play Luton Town Ladies at 2pm.
Squad: Rogers; Cook; Robb; James; Brazel-Hawkins; Tambula; Smith; Surridge; Richards; Knox; Perrin; Rothwell; Nellis; Morris; Powell.
