It was a memorable afternoon at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday as our Women’s First Team made history as they played their first match at the stadium in front of a crowd of more than 5,000 people as Karleigh Osborne’s side claimed a 4-2 win over Watford Ladies Development.

Goals from Kirsty Matthews, Chloe Logie, Eleonora Cottrell and as well as a Watford own goal gave the Bees all three points in the LSE Regional WFL Division 1 North fixture.

It was a positive start from the Bees as they began to find their rhythm in the early stages in a first period which they dominated in terms of chances. They threatened the Watford goal for the first time on 13 minutes when a corner in from Jodie Reid was met by the head of Nadia Peters. Despite connecting well, her effort took a deflection off of a Watford defender before the goalkeeper claimed.

Logie, who was a constant threat throughout the first 45 minutes, had a glorious chance to make it 1-0 when Matthews crossed on 14 minutes. The Brentford number nine slid in to connect well with the ball before her effort hit the post and rebounded back. Brentford players tried to ensure the ball crossed the line but for a good goal line clearance from the Watford defence.

A record crowd at this level for our Women's team!

Logie then had another effort just a minute or so later, this time from distance, as she controlled well before firing an effort into the hands of Tia Gunn in the Watford goal.

The away side then netted against the run of play when Lily Hall scored. As Watford put together a move down the right, Hall struck low but the ball was blocked back into her path and she finished from close range to make it 1-0.

There were more chances for the Bees as they kept their positive rhythm with Matthews threatening once more in behind in the right-hand channel as she forced two good saves from the Watford keeper.

Logie had the final chance of the half when the Bees threatened over the top once again and the ball found its way to the Brentford striker, who outpaced her marker, before shooting agonisingly wide of the top right corner as the side somehow found themselves behind at the break.

Manager Karleigh Osborne sent his side back out with the same intensity in the second period and it took them just three minutes to level. A corner kick was played into the box and a Watford defender attempted to clear with her head under pressure from the Brentford forward players and the clearance outwitted the Watford keeper as the ball ended up in the net to tie the score at 1-1.

Logie now has 12 goals this season for the side

Though Brentford were continuing to look a threat going forwards, they had Lilly Hadrava to thank in goal on 51 minutes as Naomi Jackson tried her luck with a near post effort on the left which the Brentford keeper was equal to.

The Bees then hit the post for a second time in the match when Logie floated an expert ball into the path of Matthews. The wide player opted to take her shot early to beat the keeper, but it hit the right-hand post before the ball was cleared away to safety.

Just after the hour the Bees had the lead and it came from Matthews. A brilliant ball through from substitute Demi Edwards found the winger who made no mistake as she slotted home sending the 5,000 fans in the stands into jubilation.

A memorable day for all involved

It became 3-1 on 72 minutes as Logie finally got her deserved goal. Once again Matthews was at the heart of the action as she crossed for the striker to score with a volley from close range.

As time ticked by the referee added five minutes of stoppage time and Watford were handed a lifeline in the game when a penalty kick was given against Hadrava for a foul in the area. Safiya Dean then stepped up to convert well into the top right corner.

The Bees were keen to restablish their two-goal cushion, and they did that in style just before the end of the game, as substitute Cotterell was found following an impressive run in possession from Demi Edwards. As Cotterell received the ball on the edge of the box she fired an effort high into the goal to cap off an impressive day for our Women’s team.

Brentford Women’s First Team: Hadrava, Peters (Heavingham-Ford), Graver, Johnson (McComb, 83) Logie, Troth, Webb, Saunders (Cotterell, 68) Matthews (Nord, 85) Reid (Edwards, 55), Miller

Booked: Hadrava

Watford Ladies Development: Ginn, Bristol, Marriner, Ayres (Jackson, 69) Dakin, Hrismova, Lovelace, Carr, Amanor, Hall, Cloy (Anderson, 43)

Booked: Bristol, Cloy

Attendance: 5,116