Brentford Women will continue their aim for promotion this weekend as they face Sport London E Benfica in the London South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North on Sunday at Bedfont Sports Club in a 3pm kick-off.
The women’s first team will look to make it seven games unbeaten as they make their return to Bedfont following the win over Richmond Park in their last outing where they broke the attendance record at their home ground in the 4-1 victory.
Speaking on Sunday’s fixture, assistant head coach Sean Hillier said: “It would obviously be great if we are able to get some good numbers down at Bedfont again, I think having a loud atmosphere really gives the players a lift and it’s great for the club also.
“The team have shown that under pressure they are able to perform and this will help us as we play our final games in the league.”
1,024 fans watched on at Bedfont Sports Club on April 2
The Bees sit second in the table on 29 points with three games in hand over league leaders Clapton Community on 31 points.
Dorking who are in fourth on 24 points remain in possibly the strongest position to claim the title with two games in hand over the Bees but their recent defeat to Whyteleafe has given Brentford hope.
Talking on the race for the title, Hillier explained: “It’s important for myself and Karleigh (Osborne) to keep the team focused, we all know the recent Dorking results benefit us but we must concentrate on winning our games.
“Three points on Sunday against Sport London E Benfica will be a step in the right direction and we cannot overlook the challenge that they bring.”
Last time we met
Chloe Logie rescued a point late on for the Bees as they drew 1-1 to Sunday’s opponents in the reverse fixture at Rectory Park. Kimberley Castro’s opener for Sport London E Benfica just before the break was ruled out by Logie’s equaliser on 85 minutes with the number nine almost snatching a winner moments later when she found the back of the net again, only to be denied by the referee who pulled the game back for a foul.
Sophie Troth vs Sport London E Benfica
Our B team are also in domestic action on Sunday as they take on AFC Leyton in the Greater London Women’s Football League Division One North at Salisbury Hall & Blades in a 3pm kick-off.
The defeat to East London Ladies in their previous game has given Tommy Ryan Maynard’s side a mountain to climb in their hunt for promotion.
The head coach remains confident in his team and believes they have what it takes to have a successful end to the season.
“There’s still plenty to play for this season,” said Ryan-Maynard. “Despite the league being in Leyton Orient’s hands now we want to keep building on the great season that we have had.
“There will be plenty of positives to take away from this campaign and if we can’t win the league, we want to make sure we finish in that second spot with a win against AFC Leyton on Sunday being a good step towards that.”
Both the women’s first team and B team have Capital Cup finals to look forward to next Sunday with the B team facing Millwall Community Trust in the Junior Section of the competition.
Ryan-Maynard believes a win on Sunday will set his side up nicely for their cup final also to be played at Bedfont Sports Club.
“If we can get three points against AFC Leyton it pretty much guarantees us second place in the league, which will be great momentum for us to go into the cup final.
“Obviously our full concentration is firmly on this Sunday but we are all excited for the Capital Cup final, we have had a great run in the competition and it would be the perfect prize for our hard work.”