Gwalia United were narrowly defeated by Real Bedford 1-0 at the USW Sport Park.
Abbie Bensted’s goal 19 minutes into the game was the difference between the two sides.
Casi Gregson forced Nina Meollo into a save after eight minutes, after a loose ball by the visitors met her with a good opportunity to take the lead. Her shot from outside the box was stopped by Nina Meollo.
Gwalia’s strong start sourced a free-kick opportunity, with Beth McGowan stepping up, with Miolo first to prevent danger, stooping low to her left.
However, it was Real Bedford who took the lead, opening Gwalia through the centre, Abbie Bensted showed great composure to put the visitors ahead, with a low finish past Benedicte Haaland, just shy of 20 minutes played.
Soon after, the visitors nearly made it two, with Haaland showing great authority to deny Chloe Logie from passing the ball into an empty net.
McGowan created Gwalia’s first clearcut chance of the half, 25-yards out from goal, her excellently taken free-kick, beat the wall, although Meollo produced a diving dave to prevent an equaliser with 10 minutes of the half left to play.
Georgia Walters’ deliveries into the box could have created an opening. From a corner, her cross was headed on by Ellie-Mai Sanford, but Miollo was on-hand to save her effort.
First-half stoppage time nearly culminated in a second for Real Bedford, as Bensted tried her luck from distance, forcing Haaland into a save.
Gwalia went in search of a leveller, with Walters’ curling shot at goal unable to beat Miollo, the first chance of the second 45.
The visitors created a good opportunity with 53 minutes played, a cross was met by Issy Bryant at the backpost, she was unable to keep her shot down.
Seconds later, she was put through again, but Haaland was equal to prevent a 2-0 scoreline.
Asker found space down the left, having a strike at goal, which was not enough to trouble the Real Bedford goalkeeper.
A injury-time amount of 13 minutes saw Gwalia finally find the net, a long ball into the area was passed home by Georgia Walters, but the assistant referee flagged for offside.
This result means that Real Bedford leapfrogged Gwalia in the league table.
