As we enter a busy November, Brentford Women captain Mollie Holmes looks back on a successful October period for her side.
The group enjoyed their finest month of football so far in the 2023/24 season, finishing with four straight wins across Women’s FA Cup, Capital Cup and London South East Division One North action.
Karleigh Osborne’s side was able to kick multiple goals in each game, a positive sign as they look ahead to the remainder of the season.
Sunday 8 October
Dulwich Hamlet Reserves 1 Brentford 2
Fresh from a week off, Brentford claimed their second league win in a row to help get their season back on track with a 2-1 victory over Dulwich Hamlet Reserves.
Ellen Wardlaw and Nikki Woods scored a goal each through powerful strikes from outside the box, the latter beginning her rich run of form in front of goal.
For Holmes, she felt her side was never going to lose once they took a 2-1 lead.
“It was a tough game, we had to be a little bit different, play slightly different, change the formation a little bit,” said Holmes.
“Once we got that second goal, although they kind of had the ball, I was like we’re not losing this game, I could just tell, we had the determination, we were taking three points regardless.”
Sunday 15 October
Hammersmith 0 Brentford 2
Riding the high of two straight league wins, Brentford turned their attention to the Capital Cup, winning through to the second round with a 2-0 victory over Hammersmith.
Strong messaging from Osborne at half-time helped steady the Bees, who dominated the second half with two goals through Woods and Lucy Bolitho, the latter scoring her first goal for the club.
Holmes said it was a slow start for the Bees, but they eased into the game in the second 45 minutes.
“Started a little bit shaky … but the second half, as soon as we started focusing more on our game, (we were) a lot more comfortable, got the two goals,” said Holmes.
“A good result and I think even more of a confidence boost as well.”
Sunday 22 October
Watford Ladies Development 1 Brentford 2
Winners of three straight games, confidence was high at Brentford and it only increased as they won through to the FA Cup proper with a 2-1 win over Watford Ladies Development.
Woods continued her stellar run of form with two goals, her second coming on 25 minutes to break the 1-1 stranglehold, the Bees then holding on for a memorable win.
Reflecting on the victory, Holmes said it was a game her side was strongly prepared for going in.
“We were all super excited for that game because we thought it’s got a big status on it and we wanted to win,” said Holmes.
Sunday 29 October
Brentford 4 Actonians Reserves 0
The Bees made it three-straight league wins with a dominant 4-0 victory over Actonians Reserves to round out the month.
Chloe Logie was the star of the show with a hat-trick, while Nikki Woods continued her stellar run of form with a goal.
Speaking after the win, Holmes was pleased with the 90-minute effort by her side.
“Great team performance, definitely our most complete performance to date,” said Holmes.
“We were intense with everything we did and kept going until the end.”
