Brentford Women had to dig deep to secure their place in the third round of the FA Cup, overcoming fourth-tier opponents London Seaward with a hard-fought 1-0 victory on Sunday afternoon, captivating a lively crowd at Bedfont Sports Club.
Nikki Woods proved to be the hero of the match, scoring a spectacular goal just five minutes from the final whistle by deftly chipping the goalkeeper from a near-impossible angle. Despite their frustrations stemming from numerous missed opportunities, Woods delivered precisely at the pivotal moment, ensuring her team’s advancement to the next round.
Mollie Holmes skillfully partnered Freya Worsley in central midfield, while Woods operated just behind the strike duo of Logie and Cheatley, creating an attacking presence throughout the match.
The initial stages of the match saw a hesitant start from Karleigh Osbourne’s Brentford, as the visiting London Seaward team gained an unexpected foothold in the game.
Katherine Long was the first to threaten with a fierce strike from distance, but Brentford’s Evie Witek displayed remarkable composure, parrying the shot away from danger to keep the game level.
As the first 20 minutes sped by, Brentford began to regain the confidence that had marked their performance in the previous round. Cheatley came tantalizingly close to replicating her first-round heroics with an audacious overhead kick but could not connect fully.
Momentum shifted in Brentford’s favor after a sluggish start; Maddie Phillips unleashed a powerful shot, though it was thwarted just in time by a determined defender.
Displaying her skill, Phillips beat her marker down the right flank, delivering an enticing cross that Cheatley narrowly headed wide of the goal, leaving the crowd holding their breath.
Brentford Women took full control of the cup tie and should have scored as Cheatley deftly maneuvered past two defenders; unfortunately, her shot was expertly saved by London Seaward’s goalkeeper with only a few feet separating her from the back of the net.
The second half commenced with Brentford maintaining their dominant performance. Phillips continued to threaten, rifling a shot from just outside the box that nearly broke the deadlock.
Maintaining the pressure, Chloe Logie showcased her skill by skillfully redirecting a shot on target, but the London Seaward goalkeeper came up with another outstanding save to keep her side in contention.
In a desperate moment for the away team, a last-ditch defensive effort blocked a Cheatley shot that appeared destined for the back of the net, epitomizing their struggle to contain Brentford’s relentless attack.
Brentford Women were making a significant statement against their National League rivals, as the second period unfolded with one-way traffic towards the opposing goal.
The breakthrough finally came with just five minutes remaining in the match when last season’s Women’s Player of the Season, Nikki Woods, showcased her skill by expertly chipping the goalkeeper, leaving the Brentford fans in joyous celebration.
That decisive goal sealed the match for Brentford, ensuring their progression in the FA Cup and securing a spot in the third-round draw, which will see the entry of tier-two teams into the competition.
Looking ahead, Brentford Women will turn their focus to the League Cup, taking on Sport London E Benfica next weekend. This important clash will take place on Sunday 1 December , with kick-off set for 3pm.
Subs: Cottrell, Gjabiamila, Troth, Reid, Walker
London Seaward: Baker, Rogers (Davies 78), Harris, Mckervitt, Butler, Mayne, Cannon, Malcom, Long, Mercer (Awan 75), Obrtan
Subs: Ratteray, Aungter, South
Karleigh Osborne on FA Cup win
How do you plan to maintain momentum in the league following your FA Cup victory?
**Interview with Karleigh Osborne, Head Coach of Brentford Women**
**Interviewer:** Karleigh, congratulations on securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory against London Seaward in the FA Cup. That must feel great for you and the team!
**Karleigh Osborne:** Thank you! It definitely was a tough match, and I’m proud of the girls for pushing through. We had to dig deep, especially in the first half when things weren’t going our way.
**Interviewer:** It seems like the team started a bit slowly. What do you think contributed to the hesitant start?
**Karleigh Osborne:** We knew London Seaward would come out strong, but there were some moments where we looked a bit nervous and allowed them to dictate the pace. We have a young squad and sometimes those first touches and decisions can impact our rhythm. But credit to the players; they managed to regroup and take control as the match progressed.
**Interviewer:** Nikki Woods emerged as the hero with that stunning goal just before the end. Can you talk about her performance?
**Karleigh Osborne:** Absolutely. Nikki has such a knack for being in the right place at the right time. That goal was a fantastic finish, showcasing her ability to remain calm under pressure. Even when we were struggling to convert chances throughout the match, she kept believing and ultimately delivered when it counted.
**Interviewer:** There were quite a few missed opportunities for Brentford, especially earlier in the game. How do you address that with the squad?
**Karleigh Osborne:** It’s definitely a focus for us moving forward. We created several good chances and need to be more clinical. We’ll analyze our finishing in training sessions. I want to encourage the players to be more ruthless in front of goal because we can’t always rely on a last-minute strike to win games.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, how do you plan to build on this victory as you progress in the FA Cup?
**Karleigh Osborne:** Progressing in the FA Cup is a big boost for confidence, and we’ll use this momentum to focus on our league games. We’re aiming to build on this experience and improve our consistency. Each match is an opportunity to grow, and I believe the team will continue to develop from these challenges.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the importance of the fans. How do you feel about their support in today’s match?
**Karleigh Osborne:** The support was incredible! The crowd really played a part in motivating the players. It’s crucial for the team to feel that backing, and we hope to see even more fans at our next home game. We’re working hard to put on performances that make them proud.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Karleigh, and best of luck for your upcoming fixtures!
**Karleigh Osborne:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and are excited for what’s next.
