Brentford Women’s tenacity pays off as they endure a challenging encounter to advance to the third round of the FA Cup, triumphing 1-0 against tier-four side London Seaward on a lively Sunday afternoon at Bedfont Sports Club.
Nikki Woods proved to be the decisive factor, netting a remarkable goal with just five minutes remaining by chipping the goalkeeper from an astonishing angle. The Bees had been increasingly frustrated throughout the match due to missed opportunities, but Woods’s late heroics ensured their advancement to the next stage of the prestigious tournament.
Mollie Holmes teamed up with Freya Worsley in the central midfield positions, while Woods played a vital role just behind the attacking duo of Logie and Cheatley.
After a sluggish start, Karleigh Osbourne’s side struggled as the away team gained an early foothold in the match.
Katherine Long was the first to threaten, unleashing a fierce shot from distance, but Evie Witek displayed remarkable reflexes to parry the ball away from potential danger.
As the first 20 minutes progressed, Brentford began to exude the same confidence that had served them well in the previous round. Cheatley came close to replicating her previous round’s heroics with an ambitious overhead kick that narrowly missed its mark.
Gradually, Osbourne’s side started to find their rhythm, with Maddie Phillips making her presence felt as she fired a shot on goal, only to see it blocked at the critical moment.
Phillips showcased her skill by beating her opponent along the right flank and delivering an inviting cross, which Cheatley unfortunately headed just wide of the target.
Brentford Women dominated the cup tie and nearly took the lead when Cheatley skillfully weaved past two defenders, but her shot, with only the keeper to beat, was expertly saved by the London Seaward goalkeeper.
The second half mirrored the first, with the home side continuing to control the flow of the game. Phillips once again came close, unleashing a powerful shot from just inside the box that nearly broke the deadlock.
The relentless pressure from the Bees persisted, as Chloe Logie executed a clever diversion to direct a shot on goal, only for the London Seaward goalkeeper to produce an exceptional save, thwarting the striker’s attempt.
In a frantic defensive scramble, a decisive group of defenders managed to block a Cheatley shot that seemed destined for the back of the net.
Brentford Women were putting in a commendable performance against the National League side, as the second half became a demonstration of one-way traffic.
Finally, the deadlock was shattered with just five minutes to spare; it was last season’s Women’s Player of the Season, Nikki Woods, who scored the winning goal, chipping the London Seaward goalkeeper from a near-impossible angle.
The match concluded shortly thereafter, confirming the Bees’ place in the draw for the third round, where they will be joined by tier-two teams.
Looking ahead, Brentford Women will return to action next Sunday as they shift their focus to the League Cup, preparing to face Sport London E Benfica. The match is set to commence on Sunday 1 December at 3pm.
London Seaward: Baker, Rogers (Davies 78), Harris, Mckervitt, Butler, Mayne, Cannon, Malcom, Long, Mercer (Awan 75), Obrtan
Subs: Ratteray, Aungter, South
Karleigh Osbourne on FA Cup win
What motivated you to pursue a career in football, and how has your journey been since joining Brentford Women?
**Interview with Mollie Holmes, Captain of Brentford Women**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Mollie! Congratulations on your team’s thrilling 1-0 victory against London Seaward in the FA Cup. It must have been a challenging game.
**Mollie Holmes:** Thank you! It really was a tough match. We were frustrated for much of the game, seeing opportunities slip by, but we stayed focused and kept pushing until the end.
**Interviewer:** Nikki Woods secured the win with a stunning goal just five minutes from time. Can you describe what it was like on the pitch when she scored that remarkable chip?
**Mollie Holmes:** It was an incredible moment! When Nikki scored, it felt like all of our hard work paid off. The whole team erupted with joy because we knew how much we wanted to advance in the tournament. It was a relief after all the missed chances we had earlier in the match.
**Interviewer:** You and Freya Worsley formed a central midfield partnership. How did you feel the midfield functioned throughout the game, especially given the early pressure from London Seaward?
**Mollie Holmes:** Freya and I have built a good understanding on the pitch. In the beginning, they definitely put us under pressure, but as we settled in, we started dictating the play more effectively. It took some time, but we began to find our rhythm, and I think that was crucial in managing their threats and creating our own chances.
**Interviewer:** Looking back at the early moments of the match, Katherine Long posed a threat with her shot. How important was Evie Witek’s performance in goal?
**Mollie Holmes:** Evie was outstanding! Her reaction save early on was critical. Having a goalkeeper you can rely on really boosts the entire team’s confidence. She kept us in the game, and as defenders, it’s so reassuring to know she’s behind us ready to make those game-saving stops.
**Interviewer:** You’ve been with Brentford Women since 2015 and seen the team grow significantly. What does this victory mean for the club’s progression in the FA Cup?
**Mollie Holmes:** It’s a huge step forward for us. Each season, we strive to improve and push for promotion, and advancing in the FA Cup is part of that journey. We want to show that Brentford Women are a force to be reckoned with, and this win is a testament to our hard work and determination.
**Interviewer:** What’s next for you and the team as you prepare for the third round?
**Mollie Holmes:** We’ll keep our heads down and focus on training. We want to build on this momentum and continue to improve. No matter who we face next, we’ll be ready to give it our all.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mollie, for your insights, and best of luck in the next round!
**Mollie Holmes:** Thank you very much! We appreciate the support.
