Brentford Women have qualified for a second-consecutive FA Cup first round proper following a 2-0 win over Sport London E Benfica on Sunday afternoon.

In an entertaining clash at Bedfont Sports Club it was 0-0 after 45 minutes. The Bees earned some reward for effort in the second half, however, Freya Worsley and Ashley Cheatley finding the back of the net to secure the win over the fifth-tier side.

In a scintillating opening 10 minutes, Brentford put Sport London on the back foot as they searched for an early opener.

On four minutes Carolin Engelhard found Nikki Woods out the back with a dangerous over the top ball, the winger crossing it to the goal line where Jessica Smith stood strong in goal for the visitors to tip the ball over the bar.

The ensuing corner hit Smith’s hands and fell to Lucy Potter’s boot, however her shot went left of the goal.

One minute later it was Woods in a dangerous position again, this time winning the ball back on the edge of the box and firing a shot which Smith secured diving to her right.

On seven minutes Chloe Logie won a tough ball between two defenders and put the ball in front of Woods down the right side. She put another dangerous cross into the box, but it was cleared by the Sport London backline.

One minute later the ball found its way to the left side, Chloe Webb this time responsible for a strong cross which barely missed the outstretched boot of Cheatley near the goal line.

The visitors wrestled back some momentum following the 10-minute mark, Erika Riera receiving the ball on the edge of the box on 15 minutes, putting her shot over the bar.

The Bees continued to dominate possession as the half progressed. Phillips beat her player down the right side on 24 minutes and crossed it into Worsley, her ensuing shot was straight to Smith, however.

While the first half of the opening 45 minutes provided countless near misses, the second half proved an arm wrestle as both sides searched for an opener.

Coming out of the break Brentford continued to attack to find an opener. On 50 minutes Logie found her partner in crime in Cheatley inside the box, her shot flying into the side of the net.

Cheatley was at it again four minutes later, the forward firing a half volley at goal, Smith there to tip it over the bar for a corner.

Woods took the ensuing corner and found Worlsey inside the box, the midfielder heading it home to give the Bees a deserved lead.

After breaking the stranglehold, Karleigh Osborne’s side continued to attack as they eyed a chance to double their lead. Worsley nearly added a second just after the hour mark, however her shot went right of the goal.

Samantha Read nearly made it three goals in as many games on 63 minutes, a Logie shot deflecting to the defender who put it over the bar.

Cheatley doubled the Bees’ lead minutes later, a corner falling to the forward who shot immediately, the ball rebounding back to her which she finished to make it 2-0.

Despite the scoreline the visitors continued to attack when in possession as they eyed their opener.

On 74 minutes they broke forward and found themselves one-on-one with Evie Witek in goal for Brentford. The keeper met the ball strongly to clear it, the ball falling to Sport London who put the rebound shot across goal.

Both sides continued to fight hard as full-time approached. Cheatley played a ball up to herself and shot on 82 minutes, the ball going right of the goal.

The visitors enjoyed their best chance of the day in added time, the shot going across goal, hitting the post and toeing the goal line before being secured by Witek to ensure a clean sheet.

Brentford Women: Witek, Phillips (Gbajabiamila, 85’), Engelhard, Holmes (Troth, 79’), Logie, Webb, Woods, Cheatley, Worsley, Read, Potter (Graver, 79’)

Subs not used: Aboul Kheir, Matthews, Holguin, Cottrell

Sport London E Benfica: Smith, Davidson, Safanos, Drake, Broussy, Frost, Shiner, Riera, Castro, Diniz, Lores

Subs: Muriel, Jaramilo, Vasan, Goodman, Rubio, O’Malley, Herran

Osborne praises his side's FA Cup performance

Karleigh Osborne was pleased with his group's mature display as they earned their place in the FA Cup first round proper.

Playing against a higher ranked side, Osborne said the performance would give his team confidence as they continue on in the competition.