Brentford Women’s First team saw their promotion hopes take a knock following the 1-0 defeat to Denham United.

With Brentford failing to find the net despite a number of chances, an Amie Hewitt free-kick ensured Denham left The Den with all three points on Sunday afternoon.

Brentford were electric in the opening stages of the game and could have been two goals up before five minutes had been played.

Sophie Troth displayed her technical ability when she played a neat pass to the oncoming Afiya Johnson, the full-back crossed an excellent ball into the box from the right flank finding Kirsty Matthews who met the ball well with her head, only to see her effort bounce off the bar.

On four minutes Chloe Logie had a good chance to put the Bees in front when she found herself one on one with the Denham keeper, but the number nine saw her shot well saved by Zara Butt.

The top scorer had another great chance to put the visitors ahead a few minutes later but Butt was there again to deny the striker.

Ella Cottrell (Left) & Chloe Webb (right)

The visitors continued to push for an opener but struggled to find the back of the net. Regan Graver saw her effort fly over the bar on 30 minutes after Nikki Saunders found the defender in space inside the Denham box.

Just five minutes before half-time the Bees were awarded a penalty after Logie was brought down by the oncoming Denham keeper.

Butt redeemed herself as she made a good save to keep out Logie’s spot kick ensuring her side went into the break on level terms.

Denham came out in the second half playing with more confidence and came close two minutes after the interval after a long-range strike from Laura Cox, the midfielder’s strike darted towards goal but Emily Boycott did well to collect the ball.

Butt was having a terrific game for the hosts and was on call once again as she got a firm hand onto Saunders' left-footed effort after the number 12 found herself in space inside the box.

Nikki Saunders

Denham took the lead against the run of play on the hour mark through a set piece from Hewitt.

The home team’s skipper arrowed her free-kick into the top left corner from the edge of the Brentford area leaving Boycott with no chance.

The Bees looked determined to find an equaliser and came close again on 70 minutes when Logie showed great skill to beat her marker and play through Saunders on the left flank, but the winger saw her attempt saved by Butt once again.

Denham began frustrating the visitors as they looked to see the game out by completely slowing down the proceedings in any way possible.

Matthews came close for Brentford in the final 10 minutes but her strike from outside the box went inches wide closing off a frustrating day for the away team.

Karleigh Osborne's thoughts

Speaking after the game, Osborne said: “It was a game we should have won and deserved to win, we controlled the match and created a number of chances but to be fair to their keeper, she pulled off a few fantastic saves.

“They got their goal through a free-kick which was probably their best chance of the day, it was a really good finish but we were the much better team today but just couldn’t find the back of the net.”

Despite the result, Osborne was pleased with what he saw from his team and was especially happy with the player's attitudes as they constantly put pressure on their opponents throughout the game.

“It’s not the result we wanted and of course we are disappointed but our application, energy and willingness to work was great.

“I’m super proud of my players, I wasn’t angry with them in my team talk I just felt hurt for them because they deserved to get the points but unfortunately if you don’t take your chances it can cost us.”

With a number of fixtures still to play the Women’s First team’s head coach is looking for a reaction from his side after two consecutive defeats.

“The tail of a good team is how they react and how quickly they can do it so the players know that’s the challenge now and it starts on Wednesday when we get back to training.

“Going into the next match we need to make sure we start fast and don’t put ourselves in a position where we feel disappointed, we’ve got a good group and I know they’ll keep fighting to the very end.”