Without defenders Regan Graver or Caitlin Furniss-Roe, nor the midfield pair of Gemma Goodwin and Luna Dalton, Karleigh Osborne had to switch things up. Into the back four came Daisy Baranowski while Molly O’Reilly was pushed out wide to support top-scorer Kaitlyn Spencer-Dempsey.

It was the home side who started the strongest, putting The Bees under pressure and forcing a number of defensive errors. Brentford managed to keep the deadlock intact, with considerable help from goalkeeper Emily Boycott, once again making a number of key saves. As the momentum swung the other way, the visitors created some big chances at the other end.

With about 20 minutes gone, the team in red and white stripes opened the scoring. A well worked move started with a quick one-two on the edge of the box between Sophie Troth and Jodie Reid. Troth ran through a gap in the defence to slot beneath the onrushing keeper.

Soon after, The Bees had doubled the lead. O’Reilly perfectly anticipated a long ball from Amber Langston-Lloyd, took it in her stride and fired past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.

Just before the break, Rangers were back in the game. Indecisiveness between Boycott and Eilidh Short saw the ball slip between them and find the empty net.

The second half followed a similar pattern, Regents Park creating some excellent early chances, which brought more fine saves from Boycott. The Brentford back four were looking decidedly uncomfortable and started making some basic errors, encouraging the home side on.

The next goal was crucial to the outcome of the game and it was a special goal. Tilly Penfold, who missed the start of the season due to other commitments, came off the bench to score a powerful drive into the net from the edge of the box.

There was just enough time to net a fourth. Rangers’ energy gone, Brentford were buoyed by their two-goal cushion. Nadia Peters controlled a pinpoint pass out to the right before whipping a ball right across the face of goal. There was Rebekah Wiltshere, slotting home her tenth goal of the season, right on cue.

The final whistle blew almost immediately, an excellent win that flattered the Bees to some extent. They walked away with four very good goals to enjoy and three valuable points to add.

Bees: Boycott; Goolab, Short, Baranowski, Langston-Lloyd; Troth, Holmes; Peters, Reid, O’Reilly; Spencer-Dempsey

Subs: Penfold, Stickley, Webb, Wiltshere