Brentford Women's unbeaten start to the season continued on Sunday as they defeated tier-five side Sport London E Benfica 2-0 at Bedfont Sports Club.
First half goals from Kirsty Matthews and Eleonora Cottrell got the Bees off to a strong start in the League Cup clash, the goals enough to secure victory come the full-time whistle.
The Bees made six changes to the starting line-up that defeated London Seaward last time out, Nour Aboul Kheir, Sophie Troth, Kirsty Matthews, Lucy Potter, Eleonora Cottrell and Paula Holguin each coming into the starting group.
Brentford started the better of the two sides and dominated possession early, the Bees earning repeat corners to build the pressure on Sport London’s backline.
The hosts didn’t have to wait long to strike, Troth sending a threatening corner to the back post where Matthews stood unmarked who tapped it home from close range.
The Bees enjoyed plenty of time on the ball and dominated possession as the half progressed, however the connection in the final third wasn’t clinical, Sport London able to repel the hosts’ attacks.
Holguin came close to doubling Brentford’s lead on 22 minutes as she fired a shot from the right side of the box off Aboul Kheir’s pass, however it was kept out by Carla Jaramillo in goal for Sport London.
The striker had another attempt 30 seconds later, but her shot hit the bar and went out of play.
Brentford’s reward for effort came on 24 minutes as Cottrell took a touch just inside the box, then shot at goal using the outside of her right foot to find the bottom left corner to make it 2-0.
Ashley Cheatley worked her way into the game as the half progressed. She broke down the left side on 39 minutes, beat her defender to the ball and crossed to Holguin whose shot smashed into bar. It rebounded to Matthews who fired at goal, but it was deflected away.
The ensuing corner was a comedy of near misses. Holguin and Cottrell both had shots blocked as did Samantha Read, then Cheatley volleyed her shot into the bar before the ball was secured by Jaramillo.
Despite Brentford’s dominance, the visitors continued to try and catch the Bees on the counterattack. Their best chance of the opening half came on 41 minutes as they broke down the Bedfont pitch, Evelyn Torres Diniz finding herself free and shooting over Evie Witek in goal, the ball bouncing right of the goal and out of play.
The second half got under way beneath dark skies in west London and the game resembled much of the first 45 minutes, the Bees in control without being able to trouble the scoreboard further.
Substitutes Chloe Webb, Habeebat Gbajabiamila, Nikki Woods, Jodie Reid and Freya Worsley provided fresh legs and quality minutes as the half progressed, further highlighting the depth of Karleigh Osborne’s squad.
The visitors were inches from finding their first on 74 minutes as their corner floated dangerously close to the goal line, however Witek was able to read the flight of the ball and fist it away.
Gbajabiamila provided pace and energy in her minutes across the second half, the youngster close to scoring her first goal in Brentford colours as she fired at goal from the edge of the box, however it flew over the bar.
The final whistle blew soon after to confirm a 20th Brentford win in a row, the Bees now looking towards next weekend’s FA Cup third round clash with Fulham.
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Brentford Women: Witek, Graver, Engelhard, Aboul Kheir (Worsley, 67’), Troth (Reid, 67’), Matthews (Woods, 67’), Cheatley (Gbajabiamila, 62’), Holguin, Read (Webb, 62’), Cottrell, Potter
Sport London E Benfica: Jaramillo, Davidson, Drake, Senthilvasan, Lopes, Campos, Shiner, Kingsley, Castro, Diniz, Rubio
Subs: Ormeno
Cottrell pleased with League Cup performance
Brentford Women midfielder Eleonora Cottrell was rapt with the side's performance as they defeated Sport London E Benfica to extend their run in the League Cup.
Cottrell pointed towards the squad's depth and touched on how strong the squad is no matter who is playing each week.