Brentford Women’s B team saw their promotion hopes take a knock after the 1-0 defeat to East London Ladies on Sunday afternoon.

Despite a positive start from the Bees, it was East London Ladies who opened the scoring early on in the first half with the goal proving enough to hand the Women’s B team just their third defeat in the league this season.

Brentford had an early chance in the opening minutes through Aleksandra Dzikowska who received the ball with space out on the right flank. The Brentford number 13 cut inside and struck the ball towards goal but her effort was saved comfortably by the East London goalkeeper.

The home team got themselves in front on 15 minutes when their defender got her head onto an in-swinging corner and powerfully arrowed the ball past Freya Walker in the Brentford net.

The visitors reacted well following the goal and had a half-chance moments after when Abigail Claringbold found herself in space outside the East London box but her shot never troubled the home side’s keeper.

The Women’s B team dominated possession for the majority of the opening half but struggled to break down the host’s defence causing for very little goal-scoring opportunities.

The second half proved to be more of the same as Brentford continued to keep hold of the ball well and played some nice football.

On the hour mark Claringbold and Hannah Quinton linked up well allowing for Quinton to get a shot off but again her strike was easily gathered by the East London keeper.

The arrival of Betsy Harwood for Brentford late on in the second half had an influence as she began moving the ball quicker as the visitors looked to break down the East London defence. Her shot from around 30 yards went just over the bar adding to what was already a frustrating afternoon for the B team.

East London managed to hang on and see off the Brentford pressure in the final minutes of the game, ensuring they left Wanstead Flats Playing Fields with all three points.

Speaking after the defeat, head coach Tommy Ryan-Maynard was left disappointed to not get anything from the game despite playing some good football at times.

He said: “We played really well in spells so of course it’s upsetting to not leave with anything, and it makes our title ambitions that much harder.

“We will continue to fight for the league title but it’s in Leyton Orient’s hands now, we still have plenty of important games to come including a Capital Cup final in a few weeks so it’s important we get back to winning ways.

“I’m proud of this group, we have achieved so much over this season and it’s been great to watch the development of the team, I’m sure we will bounce back from this and go on to have a successful end to the season.”