Brentford Women’s First Team left Bedfont Sports Club with all three points in the London South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North after their 1-0 win over Hackney Ladies, following their triumph Manager Karleigh Osborne gave his thoughts on his side’s performance.
Despite debutant Orla McComb sealing the win for the Bees in the final few minutes, Osborne wasn’t overwhelmed by what he saw from his side on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking on the game Osborne said: “We weren't at our best today at all, it was a scrappy game at times, and I don’t feel that we really showed our quality today with Hackney unsettling us for large periods of the game.”
Despite controlling possession in the first half, Osborne’s Bees didn’t manage to create any real goal-scoring opportunities as they struggled to break down the Hackney low block. The best chance of the half came after Kirsty Matthews played a brilliant ball to Chloe Logie over the top of the opposition’s defence, but the striker’s lobbed effort went just wide of the post.
Osborne continued: “I think Hackney would have been happy with a draw; they came here to frustrate us which they have done in the past. It’s important that we don’t get drawn into this when teams look to spoil our rhythm and just keep playing to our standards, but I think we lost sight of that.
“On another day we could have been punished, we were sloppy in all areas of the pitch but in all fairness to the girls they kept working and continued to pressure Hackney which eventually led to us getting the goal.”
The First Team left it late for the second week running as they finally were rewarded for their hard work on 87 minutes.
After being awarded a free kick on the right side of the pitch, substitute Jodie Reid delivered a deep cross into the far post towards Regan Graver. The centre back’s touch put the ball into the path of McComb leaving the defender to tap home into an empty net, in what was her first appearance for the Bees.
Talking on McComb’s goal Osborne said: “I’m over the moon for Orla, she’s just joined the club and it was a difficult game to throw her into, but she did well and I’m really pleased that she managed to get the goal.
“Since joining the club I have been really impressed with her and after she scored I think there was a big sigh of relief from everyone.”
Having now gone four games unbeaten, Osborne is looking for the Women’s First Team to continue this run.
He continued: “We have to keep picking up results if we want to gain promotion this season. I’m obviously pleased with the four games unbeaten, but we have to keep winning now and I would like us to do it in a more controlled fashion.”