Real Bedford Women v Peterborough United Women

Peterborough United Women will take a break from their league programme on Sunday (2pm) taking on Tier 3 Real Bedford in the FAWNL Cup.

Peterborough United Women will look to carry over the momentum into the Women’s National League Cup on Sunday when they travel to Bedfordshire to round up the group phase.

Following defeats to Norwich City and Cambridge United already, and changes to the competition’s format this season, Jake Poole’s side can still grab a passage into the knock-out phase of the competition or the Plate.

But, with the Canaries taking on local rivals Cambridge United on the weekend, a win is required for our ladies on Sunday, with both teams sitting on three points.

Poole’s side won’t go down without a fight, though, having made it five league wins from five on the weekend with a 6-2 win at Worcester City.

TEAM NEWS

Strikers Tara Kirk and Jess Rousseau won't be involved with Poole having the option to shuffle his pack ahead of a difficult looking October on paper with games against league contenders.

MANAGER QUOTES 

"We know the quality Bedford have and they are an ambitious club who have settled into life in Tier 3. We know the challenge we face and will also use the game as an opportunity to give minutes to players who have lacked the chances in the league games so far this season. However, our aim is to be competitive as we are in every game we approach," manager Jake Poole said.

LOCATION 

Ledger Stadium, Meadow Lane, Bedford MK44 3SB.

TICKET DETAILS 

General admission pricing;

Adult: £8
Concession: £6
U17: £2

KIT COLOURS 

Posh will be in their blue home kit for the game. 

UPDATES 

Supporters can follow the action via live updates from the club’s official X account – which can be found here.  

Peterborough United Women were knocked out of the FAWNL Cup after suffering a late defeat to Real Bedford in the competition proper.

Peterborough United Women were knocked out of the cup after falling short in Group L, losing out to the Pirates on Sunday afternoon.

Jake Poole made wholesale changes from the team that faced Worcester City last weekend, mostly to the midfield, who in turn, controlled possession and created space for Emily Meli and Keir Perkins to make progress out wide.

Meli, who completed the full 90 minutes on her return to the team, combined with Renai Bennett early on, who caused the Pirates’ keeper some early pressure with a delivery into the box.

The ball then broke for Perkins, who raced through on goal, but Nina Meollo was quick to come out and save low down to her right.

Leyla O’Brien built into the hosts’ pressure as they worked their way back into the game, hitting an effort wide before Breon Grant’s drive went inches away from the bottom corner.

Bedford continued to break quickly, but Emily Sharpe – as did the defensive line – stepped in to bring the hosts’ attack to an end, which quickly became a theme.

But then it was the hosts’ turn to attack once more, as Rhianna Rush and Grant both tested Neive Corry with a quick move forward.

And, after communication between the match official and his assistant, the home side were awarded a penalty – but, Corry stepped up to the mark to pull us into the break on level terms with a fine stop from 12-yards.

Poole shuffled his options at the break, looking to end the group on a high, and Poppie BROWN made an immediate impact with a driven attempt - too strong for the Pirates’ keeper.

Issy Bryant looked to respond, twisting and turning her way inside the penalty area, but Corry did well to read the play and save comfortably to her side.

The pressure lifted from the hosts, with the ball landing freely to Abbie Bensted, who went a studs width away from equalising into the bottom corner.

Posh looked to grind their way past their opponents, but GRANT soon pulled the two teams level with a finish into the top corner from distance.

As the match wore on, the hosts became more aggressive in their approach, winning the midfield battle, which set up an opportunity for Chloe Logie, who missed the right connection from a wide cross.

LOGIE then found the net on 86 minutes with a neat finish past Corry, putting our tier three opponents ahead for the first time in the afternoon.

Poole’s side had no time to respond before the hosts found a third, this time GRANT was on hand to add her second, putting an end to our National League Cup run.

Half-time: Real Bedford 0-0 Posh Women
Full-time: Real Bedford 3-1 Posh Women

Posh: Corry, Drsicoll-King, Sharpe, Clarke (sub Connor 46min), Osker (sub Pitt 62min), Bennett (sub Reynolds 81min), Mears (sub Brown 46min), Lawlor, Perkins, Stanford (sub Wilshaw 81min), Meli. Unused sub: Curson.