Brentford Women have earned the chance to defend their Capital Cup title following a 5-0 semi-final win over South London on Sunday.
After going into the half-time break at Bedfont Sports Club 0-0, the Bees put the foot down in the second half, Chloe Logie and Ashley Cheatley each scoring a brace, while Alissa Down netted once.
In true semi-final fashion, both sides started the game with intent as they searched for an early opener.
The Bees’ first chance came on 10 minutes, with Logie’s pass freeing up Habeebat Gbajabiamila down the left side. The winger cut into the middle and fired at goal but it was straight at South London goalkeeper Cassie Sternbach.
Cheatley found herself one-on-one with Sternbach three minutes later, the keeper able to make a strong save diving to her left.
It was Logie’s turn three minutes later as Cheatley’s pass freed up the striker, but Sternbach was there again to make the save.
On top in the game and eyeing an opener, the Bees continued to push forward with intent to score. Gbajabiamila made a good run down the left side as the 20-minute mark ticked over, the winger taken down just outside the box. Down fired the ensuing free-kick at goal, but it was right of the post.
Logie again found herself free as she broke forward on 23 minutes and had eyes for the goal, but Sternbach continued her strong start to the contest and made another save.
Kirsty Matthews, in her first start since January, played a superb ball over the top to Cheatley minutes later, the striker chipping Sternbach as she came out to contest, however the shot went left of the goal and out of play.
As they had done for most of the half, Logie and Cheatley took turns in shooting at goal across the next five minutes, however both their efforts were saved by Sternbach.
While Karleigh Osborne’s side had enjoyed majority of the possession and shots on target, South London enjoyed periods of momentum. A long range shot with five minutes to play in the half was sent forward by the visitors, however Sophie Boycott was there to secure it in goal for the hosts.
As she had been for a lot of the first half, Gbajabiamila continued to pose a threat down the left side. On 42 minutes she ran onto Nour Aboul Kheir’s pass and fired it goalward, Sternbach there to save it again.
Looking for an opener to carry the momentum into half-time, the Bees came close a minute later. Cheatley headed Sophie Troth’s corner goalward, Matthews meeting the ball and trying to guide it home, but Sternbach was there to secure the ball on the goal line.
Brentford wasted little time in attacking the goal as the second half got under way. From the re-start, Cheatley found herself free to shoot in the box but put her effort left of the goal.
Down came close to finding an opener as the hour mark approached. The midfielder took a free-kick from outside the box following a South London handball, sending the shot into the bar.
Two minutes later the stranglehold was broken as Cheatley found the opener. Gbajabiamila forced her way past her defender and into the box, cutting it back to Cheatley who tapped it home.
⏱️ 58' GOAL!!!
Habeebat Gbajabiamila forces her way past her defender and into the box before cutting it back to Ashley Cheatley who taps it home
🐝1-0🔵#BrentfordFCW | #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/tV6rRZCNIQ
— Brentford FC Women (@BrentfordFCW) March 16, 2025
Cheatley was at it again soon after, this time earning a free-kick outside the box. Down stepped up and sent a booming strike into the top left corner to double the lead.
Cheatley nearly had her second just after the 70-minute mark as she headed home a rebound, however she was ruled offside.
South London came close to finding their opener soon after, however the shot was blocked and cleared by the Brentford defence.
Logie got herself on the scoresheet as full-time approached, the striker there to tap home Chloe Webb’s cross from the left side. Cheatley had her second soon after to make it 4-0, Nikki Woods crossing to the striker in the box who turned and fired it into the back of the net.
Logie joined her partner up front in getting her brace as she smashed the ball home after it rolled along the goal line from Cheatley’s shot.
The goal was Logie's 50th of the season across all competitions, the second-consecutive season the striker has achieved the impressive total.
The Bees now turn their attention to Gtech Community Stadium next Sunday when they welcome league rivals Bromley to the west London stadium.
Brentford Women: Boycott, Graver (Read 71), Down, Engelhard, Aboul Kheir (Worsley 71), Logie, Troth (Holmes 71), Gbajabiamila (Woods 74), Matthews (Webb 74), Cheatley, Potter