Brentford Women hosted National League club, London Seaward in the eagerly awaited second round tie in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Sunday last, 24th November at Bedfont Sports FC. This game marked a milestone in the history of Brentford Women, as this was the first time ever that they have reached this round of the competition.

It promised to be an intriguing match and a real challenge for the Bees, who currently play at tier 6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid. For the 3rd time in this season’s competition, they were taking on a side higher than them in the Pyramid. Having beaten both Sport London e Benfica and Ascot United from tier 5, they were now facing a side from 2 tiers above them.  London Seaward play at tier 4, in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South East.

The Bees had reached round 2 of this season’s competition by beating North Leigh (18-1 away), Tilehurst Panthers (12-1 at home) and Sport London e Benfica (2-0 at home) in the qualifying rounds. They were then drawn at home again in round 1 and overcame Ascot United 4-2 in an epic encounter.

London Seaward entered at the 3rd qualifying round stage and had recorded home victories over Stanway Rovers (5-0) and Hackney Women (3-1).

Brentford won an extremely hard-fought match that was made scrappy by Storm Bert’s very high wind, which blew throughout. Conditions were made more unpleasant by the intermittent rain. After a slow start, the Bees had the bulk of the possession but couldn’t find a way through the visitors’ defence and were becoming frustrated as the game proceeded. However, in the 85th minute, Nikki Woods scored a brilliant goal to settle the tie.

The match had a fairly uneventful opening as the teams struggled to come to terms with the wind which was gusting so strongly that it was forcing some of the incoming planes overhead to abort their landings. In the 11th minute, Ashley Cheatley’s low cross found Chloe Logie, who shot narrowly wide. Two minutes later, Evie Witek saved Catherine Long’s well struck shot.

The visitors pressurised the Bees’ defence and forced several corners. Evie comfortably handled Eila Mercer’s long freekick.

Brentford fought back and Ashley’s run through the middle was halted by a well-timed tackle. Then Ashley attempted an overhead bicycle kick, similar to the one that had produced a spectacular goal against Ascot United in the previous round but this time she just failed to connect.

The Bees were now gaining control. They were awarded a freekick for a foul just outside the London Seaward penalty area but Carolin Engelhard’s effort was saved by keeper, Alex Baker. Then Ashley headed marginally wide from Maddie Phillips’ centre.

Maddie was giving London Seaward problems up the right wing. She won a tackle and beat two opponents but her low cross was blocked at the expense of a corner.

Nikkie Woods’ freekick, from around 25 yards, was blocked by the defensive wall.

Ashley won the ball and made a dangerous run past several defenders but Alex Baker saved her shot.

As the interval approached, Sam Read made a timely interception to thwart Beatrice Rogers. 

Half time score: Brentford 0   London Seaward 0

The Bees kept up the pressure. Alex Baker saved Maddie Phillips’ fierce angled shot from the right. 

Alex then made a fine reflex save from Chloe Logie.

Brentford were now dominating the proceedings but were unable to break through the stubborn London Seaward rearguard. The Bees’ relentless onslaught produced a flurry of corners.

Maddie Phillips’ freekick from outside the penalty box was saved by the keeper.

Ashley’s shot was blocked by the visitors’ massed defence. Chloe Webb’s drive was one of several Brentford shots to be charged down. Nikki Woods shaved the visitors’ crossbar. Lucy Potter headed over from a corner kick. Nikki Woods’ freekick from the left of the box was scrambled behind for a corner.

Then in the 85th minute, with the threat of a penalty shoot-out looming, the Bees scored the all-important goal. Mollie Holmes’ pass from the right of the box found Nikki Woods, who took the ball up the left almost to the bye-line. She then cut back and chipped the ball with her right foot, from a very narrow angle, over the keeper into the net. It was a goal worthy of climaxing the Bees’ truly memorable performance. They really earned their hard-fought and momentous victory.

Final score: Brentford 1   London Seaward 0

TEAM LINE-UPS

Brentford: Evie Witek, Carolin Engelhard, Regan Graver, Samantha Read (Lucy Potter 76 min), Maddie Phillips, Mollie Holmes (capt), Freya Worsley, Chloe Webb (Kirsty Matthews 76), Nikki Woods, Chloe Logie and Ashley Cheatley.

Unused substitutes: Eleanora Cottrell, Habeebat Gbajabiamila. Sophie Troth, Jodie Reid and Freya Walker.

Head Coach: Karleigh Osborne   Assistant Coach: Sean Hillier

London Seaward: Alex Baker, Beatrice Rogers (Suzy Davies 75), Sharne Harris, Niamh McKevitt, Jo Butler, Rochelle Mayne, Maisie Cannon (capt), Laila Malcom, Katherine Long, Eila Mercer (Leila Awan 73) and Cloe O’Brien.

Unused substitutes: Jya Ratteray, Lily Aungier, Mia South.

Manager: George Murphy   Assistant Manager: Doruk Ahmet

Referee: Dasa Griffin   

The match involving the other Middlesex team playing in this round, Queens Park Rangers, who were at home to Saltdean United, was abandoned due to adverse weather conditions in the 63rd minute.   QPR were leading 1-0 at the time.   The game is rescheduled for Sunday next, 1st December.

Brentford have another home match on Sunday, 8th December, when they will face Fulham in the 3rd round.   The winners of the QPR v Saltdean United match will travel to the Hive to face London Bees.

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

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