A tough trip for Actonians this afternoon as they headed to Real Bedford to face the unbeaten league leaders. Some key players missing from this afternoon’s 14 strong squad but good to see club legend Ale Barrecca back in the starting lineup.

Real Bedford had more possession in the opening stages but with 5 minutes on the clock their goalkeeper had to make the first save of the match when Jas ran through and her shot was parried away for a corner. A lot of the play was in the midfield area with Real Bedford looking slightly more threatening going forward. Jas was working hard up front but Real Bedford were strong at the back and Actonians struggled to get other players further up the pitch to support. There was a stoppage for a few minutes when 20 were gone with the referee seemingly unsure of whether a decision should have been offside or handball but after a lengthy discussion with both captains play continued. Play wasn’t flowing as freely as it maybe could have done with further stoppages while both teams were struggling to carve out any sort of openings. Real Bedford were awarded a free kick in a very dangerous position in the 41st minute but their shot went wide. Elisa pulled off a great save in the 43rd minute tipping the Real Bedford shot wide. Then in the 45th minute Real Bedford breaking from the back ended with one of their attackers unleashing an absolute screamer from the edge of the area, giving Elisa no chance. A minimum of 5 minutes were added on to the half and in the 50th minute another save from Elisa prevented Real Bedford from doubling their lead. The half was well into the 53rd minute when the referee finally blew for half time and in those extra minutes there was some desperate defending as Actonians continued to prevent Real Bedford from scoring a second. Half time 1-0.

3 minutes after the break Real Bedford were awarded a free kick for a very soft challenge outside the area which they even went as far as trying to claim a penalty for. The resulting effort flashed wide. Jas received a knock to her face when battling to win the ball back in the 53rd minute but was okay to continue. The first change was made in the 57th minute when Amber Dredge came on to replace Ale. Shortly after Lois required treatment when a Real Bedford player jumped at her but again was okay to continue. In the 68th minute a second change was made with Merle coming on for Anne-Marie.
Then the moment of the match in the 74th minute. The ball bounced in front of Amber 30 yards from goal which she hit with real precision to lob the Real Bedford keeper for an Actonians equaliser. Goal of the season contender!

4 minutes later Amber turned provider as she crossed the ball in from the right to create a great shooting chance but unfortunately Merle was unable to connect. Some strong defending from the Actonians back four prevented Real Bedford from creating anything in the last 10 minutes of normal time before 5 minutes were added on. Real Bedford somehow missed a sitter from 2 yards out in the 92nd minute but found themselves with another chance in the 94th minute. A free kick from the right was crossed into the danger area where the home side’s centre back turned up to head the ball home. Actonians went back forward in vain looking for a second equaliser but couldn’t create anything clear cut and the Real Bedford keeper took the opportunity to waste valuable seconds when in possession before the whistle was blown with the clock on 97 minutes.

A shame for Actonians to have come away with nothing points wise after battling hard and getting themselves back into the game. No doubt Real Bedford are the best side in the division as things stand but two narrow defeats when they have beaten many others by bigger score lines gives Actonians some positives to take away. Today’s player of the match could have gone to any of the back four for the pressure they withstood in large parts while Real Bedford attacked but Lois just edges it this afternoon. Only three league games left for Actonians in this campaign which begins with an another away trip when they face London Seaward in a fortnights time.

Report by Neil Hayward