Brentford saw their pre-season campaign come to an end following their match against London Seaward on Sunday afternoon with the National League opponents netting twice in the second half to secure a 2-2 draw.
The Bees were the better side for an hour with Nikki Woods scoring twice for her side as London Seaward struggled to deal with the attacking power of Brentford. The visitors gained some confidence after pulling a goal back on 62 minutes and managed to level the score line eight minutes from time.
Ahead of next weekend’s league opener against Hounslow Women, the first team faced their final challenge in pre-season against tier-four outfit London Seaward.
Brentford put on a dominant display in the first half as they created a number of chances with Chloe Logie and new signing Lucy Bolitho leading the line for the Bees, with Woods playing just in behind the pair.
Equally, the back three of Regan Graver, Samantha Read and Mollie Dench were composed in their defensive work leaving the London Seaward forwards frustrated.
Chloe Webb in action for Brentford
Woods, who has had a superb pre-season campaign for Karleigh Osborne’s side opened the scoring for the home team on 15 minutes.
The Brentford number 12 showed great skill to skip past two London Seaward defenders before striking the ball on the volley into the top right corner.
The forward who has spent the majority of pre-season playing in behind two strikers came close to doubling Brentford’s lead moments later only for her powerful strike to be saved onto the post by the opposition’s keeper.
The hosts were denied by the woodwork for the second time just before the break with Woods at the heart of the action again. Her well-placed cross found Sophie Troth who struck the ball on the half-volley with her attempt crashing against the bar.
The second half saw the game slightly open up as the visitors pushed forward in an effort to find an equaliser, but this allowed the Bees to flourish in their new 3-5-2 formation.
Woods tucked away her second on 55 minutes after linking up with Logie who split the London Seaward defence with an excellent pass allowing the Brentford attacker to slot the ball past the opposition’s keeper from close range.
Woods was a threat throughout
The away team pulled one back moments later after the Brentford back line was beaten by a long ball which the London Seaward forward latched on to before lifting her shot on over Freya Worlsey.
The visitors gained confidence despite scoring against the run of play as the side began to play some good football.
After a positive 10-minute spell London Seaward levelled the score line when Walker saved shot landed on Graver before bouncing into the back of the net.
Brentford substitute Rebekah Edwards came close to getting her side back in front in what was her first appearance following the birth of her baby, but her volleyed effort went just wide.
Osborne reacts
Brentford Women B were also in action this afternoon as they face a Hammersmith Ladies side who compete in the division above the side in what was the B team’s first pre-season fixture.
The B team fielded a team which included four new additions with previous first-team players Emily Boycott, Laura Miller and Orla McComb all making the starting line-up as well as new arrival Freya Morgan.
The away side made a good start to the game and nearly found themselves a goal up in the opening five minutes when Abigail Claringbold broke away from the Hammersmith defence.
The striker’s shot was well saved by the opposition's keeper, but there was some good early signs from Tommy Ryan-Maynard's side.
Hammersmith threatened themselves moments later when the home side’s striker latched onto a loose ball allowing the forward to find her teammate who attempted to slot the ball into an empty net but was denied by a superb tackle from McComb.
The hosts took the lead on 13 minutes following a well-placed free-kick from 25 yards which left Boycott with no chance.
Brentford found a reply five minutes later after being awarded a free-kick on the right flank which Lillie Elsbury crossed in.
Her set-piece found Holly Hawkes at the far post who showed composure to volley the ball into the bottom corner with her weaker foot.
Hammersmith got themselves ahead again just before the break in a half which saw Brentford dominate the majority of the ball.
The second half proved to be a frustrating one for both sides as multiple injuries halted the game from gaining any real momentum.
The B team continued to push forward however and managed to level the score line on 77 minutes when Cheyenne Faulkner played through a Brentford trialist who tucked the ball past the Hammersmith keeper.
The Bees had a chance to win the game in the final minute when Hawkes got on to the end of a corner, but her headed effort went inches over the bar.