Brentford picked up their first win of the season beating Ruislip Rangers 4-0 in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon at Bedfont Sports Club.
The Bees were the dominant side from start to finish as they brushed past tier seven outfit Ruislip Rangers to progress in the competition. First half strikes from Chloe Logie and Ashley Arquette were followed up by two brilliant long-range goals from Ellen Wardlaw ensuring Brentford’s win.
Osborne made three changes to the side which drew against Hackney last weekend with Jodie Reid, Arquette and debutant Keira Fern, all starting for the first team against Ruislip.
The Bees got off to a positive start with Nikki Woods looking exceptionally dangerous as she had a few early attempts from distance which tested the Ruislip keeper.
It took Brentford just 13 minutes to get themselves in front and it was Chloe Logie who finished off an excellent move to bag her fifth goal in just three games.
Reid displayed some great skill in the central midfield position before threading through Arquette, the new Brentford number six then slipped a perfect pass into the path of Logie who slotted home to put her side in front.
Ruislip posed little threat in attacking positions throughout a first half which saw Brentford dominate the majority of possession as they aimed to break down the opposition’s low block.
The only shot on goal Ruislip had in the first half came from Kirsty Young but the midfielder’s effort from distance was comfortably saved by Walker.
Just before the half-time whistle was blown, Brentford made it 2-0 and it was Arquette this time who scored her first goal since joining the club.
Arquette, who was utilised as a striker, lost her marker and volleyed home a corner kick from Woods in superb fashion.
Brentford continued where they left off in the second half and put the game out of sight when Wardlaw striked from range five minutes after the interval.
The forward picked up the ball from 25 yards and unleashed a powerful shot which arrowed into the top corner.
Wardlaw, who is enjoying her second stint at Brentford after rejoining from QPR, was playing with confidence and it was the new arrival who made it 4-0 just after the hour mark.
It was an even better strike this time, with Wardlaw picking up the ball from 35 yards out and lobbing the Ruislip keeper with a powerful shot.
The visiting team were unable to get out of their own half as Brentford continued to put pressure on the side with Osborne’s team relentless in attack.
Regan Graver thought she had made it 5-0 on 68 minutes but her volley from Woods’ corner hit the post before bouncing out of play.
Brentford cruised to victory at Bedfont Sports Club with the win booking the side a place in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.
Attendance: 234
Brentford Women: Walker, Graver, Wardlaw, Aboul Kheir (Worsley, 81), Webb, Woods (Mirjan, 70’), Logie, Arquette, Fern, Cottrell (Troth, 72’), Reid
Ruislip Rangers Women: Gibson, Jones, Gowen, Hamid, Atkinson, Atkins, Hayes, Young, Stanton, Gibbons, Murphy
Subs: O’Grady, Perry, Blakebrough, Smith, Fahy, Frasier, Hemmings
Karleigh Osborne praises his side
Brentford Women head coach Karleigh Osborne says he was pleased with how his side reacted after what had been a slow start to the season.
“I thought we played some really good stuff today, much more like our old selves and a performance I have been waiting for,” said Osborne.
“Everyone stepped up to the plate, we created a lot of chances and it was a really good performance from the team, I’m really proud of the group.”
In a game which saw Ashley Arquette make her first start for the side since arriving in the summer, Osborne explains how impressed he was with her performance as well as Ellen Wardlaw’s, who scored two incredible goals.
He continued: “Ashley was brilliant today, she came into the team and played as a striker alongside Chloe and I thought she was magnificent.
“Ellen got two, I’ve been waiting for that type of performance from her so I’m really pleased, she came in and showed her quality.”
Brentford found themselves two goals ahead at half-time in their previous game against Hackney, but were left disappointed when they had to settle for a point as Hackney fought back to secure a 2-2 draw.
Osborne went on to talk about the message he gave to his players at half-time after coming into the break 2-0 up.
He said: “I told them to remember the position they were in last week and let’s make sure we come back out and do our job properly and they did that.
“They come out and started fast and got a goal and we went from strength to strength and controlled the game for 90 minutes.”