Brentford were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Sport London E Benfica on Sunday at Rectory Park.
It was a game of two halves as Brentford found themselves 3-0 down going into half-time in what was a disappointing first half performance. The Bees put on a dominant display in the second half, with goals from Nikki Woods and Chloe Logie helping the side back into the match but Sport London were able to see out their lead and claim all three points.
Karleigh Osborne made just two changes to the side which started in the 4-0 win over Ruislip Rangers in the FA Cup last weekend, with Ella Cottrell and Jodie Reid making way for Sophie Troth and captain Mollie Holmes.
The Bees found themselves a goal down inside 15 minutes despite a good start when Georgia Frost struck from outside the box with her powerful shot beating Freya Worlsey.
Brentford nearly replied instantly when Chloe Logie played an excellent chipped pass over the opposition’s defence with her ball finding Ashley Arquette.
The forward made her way into the box before unleashing a strike which went just wide of the post.
It got even worse for Brentford after the home side doubled their lead on 20 minutes when Kendal Drake netted from close range.
Despite Brentford enjoying spells of possession the side struggled to create when the ball was worked into the final third, with Sport London looking lethal on the counter.
The home team, who have been in top form since the beginning of the season, made it 3-0 on the half hour mark when Daniela Gonzalez got on the end of a cut back pass before tucking the ball into the net.
Ellen Wardlaw who scored two terrific goals last weekend, thought she had pulled one back for the Bees but her strike from just outside the box was tipped around the post by the opposition’s keeper.
The Bees needed a big second half performance and nearly grabbed themselves a goal moments into the half, but Nour Aboul Kheir saw her shot saved well by Carla Jaramillo.
After constant pressure, Brentford eventually got a deserved goal when Nikki Woods ended an excellent move with a brilliant strike from outside the box which found the bottom corner.
Minutes later the visitors made it 3-2 with Logie bagging her fourth of the season when the forward got on the end of the rebound following a long-range strike from Ellen Wardlaw which bounced off the bar.
Brentford were piling on the pressure and were gifted another advantage when Sport London’s captain saw red due to an initial foul followed by a second yellow for descent on 70 minutes.
Osborne’s side thought they had completed a comeback when Ashley Arquette flicked the ball around Jaramillo only for her shot to bounce off the post and roll along the goal line before being claimed by the keeper.
Sport London hung on and managed to see out the victory with their three first half goals proving to be the difference.
Brentford Women: Walker, Graver, Arquette, Aboul Kheir (Mirjan, 80’), Holmes (Matthews, 58’), Logie, Troth (Worsley, 25), Webb, Woods, Wardlaw, Ferns (Graham, 45’)
Subs not used: Heavingham Ford
Sport London E Benfica: Jaramillo, Ormeno, Sofianos, Oldfield, Riera, Ferreira, Frost, Diniz, Castro, Drake, Gonzalez
Subs: Pentangelo, Cerlin, Bricchi, Besdi