A second-half goal from debutant Asees Sangha saw Brentford Women come away 1-0 winners over Aylesford in London and South East Premier Division action on Sunday.
In perfect conditions for football the game started evenly, the score sitting 0-0 at half-time. Sangha’s timely strike on 72 minutes ensured the Bees took all three points.
Making the step up to tier five, a new-look Brentford side took to the pitch, featuring debuts for Sangha, Renai McCrea and Maï Louvrier. Chelsie Berry stepped up from the B team to make her first team debut, while Evie Witek returned in goal.
Maddie Phillips, Regan Graver, Lucy Potter, Carolin Engelhard, Alissa Down and Ashley Cheatley rounded out Carly Williams’ starting line-up.
Down had a long-range free-kick inside the opening three minutes, however her effort was over the bar. McCrea was in the action early down the left side as she fired a shot goalward, however it was kept out by Sade Rider in goal for Aylesford.
The hosts came close to finding the back of the net soon after as they looked to go on the attack. A dangerous ball inside Brentford’s box found its way over Witek’s head as she contested it, but Phillips there to clear the ball off the line.
Alex Witham was next up to try and find the opener for Aylesford, however her long-range free-kick suffered the same fate as Down’s and sailed over the bar.
The Bees’ best chance of the opening half came off the head of an Aylesford defender. Phillips’ corner was met by a defensive header which cannoned into the bar before being cleared. The momentum continued in Brentford’s favour, three-straight corners going close to goal but unable to hit the back of the net.
On 23 minutes it was Nicole Pepper-Scott’s turn to launch a long-range free-kick goalward, however her strike sailed straight to the safe hands of Witek.
After an unrelenting opening 25 minutes, both sides looked more comfortable and looked to dominate the ball across the last portion of the first half, the game remaining goalless going into the break.
As the second half got under way, substitute Habeebat Gbajabiamila had an immediate impact playing down the right wing after replacing Berry. Louvrier found Gbajabiamila, whose cut back was deflected away. The ball remained alive and Sangha took possession before being appearing to be taken down inside the box, however no penalty was given.
Gbajabiamila was at it again just before the hour-mark as she pushed down the right side and crossed into Cheatley, the striker sending the ball goalward with her first touch, the ball going just left of the goal.
With just over 20 minutes to play, Gbajabiamila was again causing issues for Aylesford down the right, this time cutting back to Louvrier whose shot was secured by Rider for the hosts.
Five minutes later, the Bees went ahead. Phillips’ corner was met by Down, who found Sangha, the midfielder turning and firing the ball into the back of the net.
Williams’ side continued to hold the momentum as the game entered its final moments. Aylesford had multiple dangerous crosses late on, however they were kept out and cleared by an experienced Brentford backline.
The west Londoners return home this weekend as they welcome Newhaven to Bedfont Sports Club from 3pm.
Aylesford: Rider, Saunders, Burgess, Witham, Burnham, Burnham, Selfe, Pepper-Scott, Richardson, Hawkins, Keyte
Subs: Goad, Walker, Armstrong, Frausse, Hulme
Brentford Women: Witek, Phillips, Graver, Potter, Engelhard, Sangha (Petit 90), Down, McCrea (Harris-Walters 83), Cheatley, Louvrier, Berry (Gbajabiamila 46)
Subs not used: Matthews, Morrice-Bartlett
Williams opens season with a win
Reaction: Carly Williams on Aylesford win
New head coach Carly Williams reacted to Brentford's 1-0 win over Aylesford.
"Obviously important to get the win, three points on the board in tier five, that's ultimately our first priority. A clean sheet as well, which is really, really important for that backline," said Williams.
"I'm really proud of the girls, obviously I haven't had long with them, so we saw bits that we want to put on the game, how we put our stamp on the game.
"I think we were dominant, I think we just maybe could of put some more chances away and could of made it a little bit easier for ourselves, but really proud of that first experience in tier five for the girls."