Brentford Women’s B team continue their fine run of form as they comfortably beat Hackney Women Reserves 4-0 at the Douglas Eyre Sports Centre.
The Bees made it three wins out of three with Kasey Clifford, Abigail Claringbold and Lillie Elsbury giving the visitors a healthy lead going into the break. Brentford continued to show their quality in the second half as Charlotte Halpin made it four, ensuring the victory for her side.
Both teams made a fairly slow start to the game with the opening 20 minutes consisting of either side getting a feel for the match.
The first real chance of the game came on 25 minutes with the Women’s B team proving how clinical they are in front of goal as Clifford found the back of the net with her first chance.
Nia Bowman showed brilliant skill to beat two players from the right back position before finding Clifford who was in space from 25 yards out. The Brentford captain smashed the ball into the left corner adding to her collection of wonderful goals this season.
Just two minutes later Brentford doubled their lead through Claringbold.
Claringbold vs Hackney
The striker received the ball after a great pass from Halpin which split the Hackney defence and showed determination to chase onto the ball before sliding it into the bottom corner in neat fashion.
The Bees were dominating possession and were on the hunt for more goals which is relevant to how they have been playing all season.
Moments before half-time Elsbury made it three for her side as the full-back started and finished the move.
After working the ball out to Calli Weaver on the left flank Elsbury made a darting run behind the Hackney defence where she received the ball and had a shot on goal.
Her initial strike was saved by the home side’s goalkeeper but Halpin was first to the rebound and found Elsbury in space allowing the number three to smash the ball home from close range.
Elsbury & Chelsey Logan celebrate
Brentford’s dominance remained in the second half as they continued to play confident football which has been key in their hunt for promotion this season.
The away side nearly got their fourth on 66 minutes after a lovely move which ended in Karen Abou-Abdallah crossing the ball to the far post finding Holly Hawkes, the attacking midfielder's header looked goal bound only for the Hackney defender to clear the ball off the line.
Brentford rectified this missed opportunity just a minute later and after a top performance, Halpin got her deserved goal.
The number 12 picked up the ball from 25 yards out and saw the Hackney keeper off her line, the midfielder lobbed the home team’s number one and sealed the win in emphatic fashion for the visitors.
Speaking following another win for his side, head coach Tommy Ryan-Maynard was left pleased once again from what he saw.
“We played really well and along with us looking dangerous going forward I was pleased with how comfortable we were in defence.
“Hackney is always a tough place to travel and it wasn’t the best surface so I think the players adapted really well also.
“We are keeping ourselves firmly in this title race and continuously putting pressure on Leyton Orient and that’s all we can do.”