Regan Graver takes a look back on Brentford Women’s results in March.
The Women’s first team played three times last month winning two games including a Capital Cup semi-final and drawing the other as they scored a total of 11 goals.
Sunday, March 5
Hackney Women 2 Brentford Women 2
The women’s first team started the month with a frustrating result as they drew to Hackney Women away from home. In what was a scrappy game with little to split the sides in the opening half, the match came to life in the second 45 after a Kirsty Matthews wonder strike gave the Bees the lead. Hackney replied with an equaliser just two minutes later much to the disappointment of head coach Karleigh Osborne. His side may have thought they had got the winner when Chloe Logie made it 2-1 on 70 minutes following a powerful strike from inside the box but the host’s fought back once again. Hackney’s leveller nine minutes from time ensured the side held Brentford to a draw at the Douglas Eyre Sports Centre.
Speaking on the game, Graver said: “It was a frustrating day, if you look at the table we are the better side but maybe we went into the game too confident. To be fair to Hackney they always put up a good fight and they battled right to the end, some calls didn’t get given our way but we take full responsibility for the result, we should have performed better on the day.
“We are a very technical team who likes to get the ball down and play football so I think at times we can struggle when we need to show our physicality. We need to work on being more aggressive at times and making sure we go into every challenge looking to win the ball, I think this is something which will come in time, but we know we need to improve in that aspect of the game.
“Obviously we want to win every match we play but I think we learn a lot from these types of games and it shows us we still have a long way to go as a team.”
Graver vs Hackney
Sunday, March 12
Brentford Women 6 Leatherhead Women 2
Not for the first time this season the Bees bounced back after a disappointing result with an emphatic victory in their next match. It was a perfect day for Karleigh Osborne’s side who went into the break with a healthy 3-1 lead as Kirsty Matthews and Chloe Logie added to an early Leatherhead own goal. Leatherhead’s two goals came just before and after half-time but proved to be near consolations as Logie and Matthews were at it again in the second half as the pair both netted from the penalty spot. Moments before the full-time whistle Sophie Troth got the home side’s sixth and her third of the season in what was a brilliant attacking display for Brentford Women as they got back to winning ways in the league.
Talking on the victory, Graver explained: “I think this game was a perfect example of who we are and how we play, we have the ability to completely blow teams away when we are at it going forward and we showed that against Leatherhead.
“Playing at Bedfont on the 4G surface really suits our style of play, we train at the ground as well so we have tried to make it a fortress this season which I think we have done. We are really hard to beat at Bedfont and I think teams know when they go there they are going to have a tough game, I know that we all feel confident when we play there no matter who we face.”
Logie & Graver embrace
Sunday, March 19
Denham United Ladies 1 Brentford Women 3
In what was the biggest game of the month, Brentford Women showed their resilience as they travelled back to The Den for the Capital Cup semi-final just a few weeks after their 1-0 defeat to Denham in the league. Logie, who missed a penalty in the last game against Denham took the Bees into the break with a 1-0 lead after an excellent finish from close range. The host’s made a strong start to the second half but Logie was at it again to double Brentford’s lead, creating some breathing space behind the two sides. A powerful strike from Nikki Saunders put the visitors 3-0 up with a late goal from Denham proving to be indecisive as the Bees ensured their place in the Capital Cup final following a stunning performance.
Reflecting on a brilliant win, Graver said: “This was one of our biggest wins of the season, not just because it was a semi-final but also because of the previous game to Denham where we created a bundle of chances but still lost.
“We came out with fire in our bellies and we wanted to not only prove we deserve to be in the cup final but also show we are the superior side. It’s a small pitch at The Den and they make it hard to play there but we were excellent, not just in attack but defence also.
“We have our eyes set on winning the final now on April 23, we know it’s not going to be easy and we have struggled against Dorking this season but I’m confident this time it could be different.”
Graver celebrates with teammates against Denham