Brentford Women made it four league wins from as many games on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet Reserves.
Coming into the game as the top two sides in London South East Division One North, the game held extra significance for the teams, with both eager to win the league. The match proved just that, with both teams fighting out an entertaining 90 minutes.
Chloe Logie scored in both halves for the Bees, the Brentford striker continuing her strong start to the season.
The opening 10 minutes was a sign of things to come across the opening 45 minutes, both sides providing intensity and an attacking mindset.
Kirsty Matthews won a free kick on four minutes, however Maddie Phillips’ ensuing shot went over the bar.
Phillips was at it again on eight minutes, her cross finding Ashley Cheatley inside the box who took a touch and shot, however it was saved by Gwyn West in goal for Dulwich.
Despite Brentford dominating possession it was an even contest in the early stages, the home side applying plenty of pressure on the Bees.
Cassidy Walcott put in a dangerous cross on 10 minutes, Evie Witek coming out to meet the ball and securing it in goal for Brentford.
Dulwich’s best chance came on 18 minutes. A corner bounced around inside the box and fell to Anna Stones, whose shot smashed into the bar. The rebound shot was deflected and cleared by the Bees.
Karleigh Osborne’s side broke the stranglehold on 31 minutes, Logie taken down inside the box and awarded a penalty. The striker was able to score from the spot to get Brentford's first goal.
The game continued to be a hotly contested one, neither side giving an inch in perfect conditions for football.
Dulwich nearly equalised in added time as Natalia Davila managed to get a one-on-one shot against Witek, however the Brentford keeper made a clutch save.
Coming out of the break it was the Bees who were on the attack and they found a second goal minutes into the re-start. Phillips put a cross into the box and found Logie, who headed it home from close range.
Osborne’s side almost found a third on 51 minutes, Chloe Webb’s cross finding Cheatley whose tap in was well saved by West.
The home side were straight back on the attack as they searched for their opener. A free kick fell into a dangerous spot in the box, but it was well saved by Witek.
The Brentford keeper was called into action again on 68 minutes. She cleared a corner but the ball fell to Dulwich, the ensuing shot saved once again.
The back and forth state of play continued between the two sides as Brentford aimed to put the game to bed while Dulwich searched for their first goal.
The home side found that first goal on 76 minutes, Lucy Monkman finishing from close range to make it 2-1.
As the game wound to a close it was Dulwich who had the momentum, the home side eyeing a late equaliser.
In added time Witek was called into action again, forced to save a long-range shot from Shakirra Sesay. The defensive group did enough late in the game to secure a vital three points.
Dulwich Hamlet Reserves: West, Cruttwell, Corrigan, Walcott, Kelly, Jowle, Stones, Auld, Davila, Sesay, Monkman
Subs: Addison, Ivimey, Smale, Pellegrin
Brentford Women: Witek, Phillips, Graver, Holmes (About Their, 90+4'), Logie, Webb (Cottrell, 74'), Woods, Matthews (Worsley, 64'), Cheatley (Gbajabiamila, 86'), Read, Potter
Subs not used: Troth
Osborne praises second half response
Head coach Karleigh Osborne was proud of his side's second half display against Dulwich Hamlet Reserves following a tough first half.
Forced to tough out a gritty 2-1 victory, Osborne was proud of the group's determination to take home a vital league win.