January 4, 2026
Report by Abi Harding
Photo Credit: Steve Appleby
Cheltenham Town suffered a 5-1 defeat against Real Bedford at Kayte Lane on Sunday in their first game of 2026.
Goals from Leyla O’Brien, Issy Bryant, Scarlett Williams and Chloe Logie ruled out Casi Evans’ long-range strike.
First Half:
The visitors took the lead in the opening 10 minutes, O’Brien’s freekick into the top-left corner of the goal.
Bryant doubled their lead not long after, getting on the end of Lucy Wood’s ball through.
Debutant Poppy Irvine was called into action to keep her side in the game around the half an hour mark, saving efforts from O’Brien and Breon Grant.
However, an unfortanate own goal from Courtney Jones gave Charlie Bill’s side their third, Wood’s ball into the area ricocheting off the helpless Jones before half time.
It ended 3-0 to Real Bedford at the break.
Second Half:
Defender Evans got her second goal of the season not long after the break, lobbing Pirates keeper Erica Meale from 40 yards to drag the Robinesses back into the tie.
Despite some sustained pressure from Cheltenham, it was Real Bedford who got the next goal.
Williams managed to get on the end of a lobbed ball from Melis Mehmet and made no mistake.
With 10 minutes to go, the visitors added a fifth through Logie.
Bella Hall had chances to score a second goal for the hosts but couldn’t capitalise.
Cheltenham were then reduced to 10-players when Charlotte Salisbury-Williams received a second yellow card.
The game ended 5-1 to the visitors.
Cheltenham make the short trip across Gloucestershire to face Gloucester City as focus turns to the County Cup action in two weeks’ time.
Cheltenham: Irvine; Evans, Llewellyn, Owen, Trinci, Salisbury-Williams; Arnott, Jones(Norman 46), Curtis; Newns (Bell 46), Hall
Attendance: 169
