London Bees sensational 3-0 win over Oxford United Ladies ensured they took a historic three points in their first ever FA Women's Super League Two fixture.
Sixteen year old Lucy Loomes opened the scoring in the first-half but the home side fought back before Amber Gaylor’s 71st minute strike provided the knockout blow.
From that point the Bees controlled proceedings with Billie Brooks completing the scoring with a beautiful 35-yard free-kick late on as Tom Donati’s side secured a historic win.
Nerves were on show right from the off as the Bees failed to get a hold of the game and Oxford had two early chances from Katie Stanley who used her pace to threaten down the right wing.
It wasn’t until the ninth minute of the game that the bees had their first chance when Paige Wakefield fired over from a corner.
The tempo of the game picked up as both sides looked to go for the opening goal but it was a cagey affair with the Bees breaking down the Oxford attack in midfield.
Aoifie Hurley and Paige Wakefield got stuck in making a number of impressive tackles whilst dominating their aerial battles.
Oxford had a brilliant chance to take the lead in the 18th minute but goalkeeper Sophie Harris was alert to deny Lauren Allison.
Helen King, formerly of Barnet Ladies, tried to grab the follow up but she was only able to fire into the side netting.
That chance for Oxford shocked the Bees back to life as they stepped up a gear with the home side increasingly unable to deal with the pressure.
It didn’t take long for the pressure to result in a goal but in truth it came from nothing as Lucy Loomes picked up the ball on the right hand side and drove at the defence before unleashing a low shot into the back of the net.
Oxford responded well surging down the right before being denied an equaliser by Samantha Chappell who cleared Allison’s effort off the line.
The Bees entered half-time with a 1-0 lead but the home side exploded into life following the break displaying a ruthless determination to get back into the game.
A clash of heads involving Charlotte Herson seemed to rock the Bees and Oxford took full advantage by dominating proceedings and creating chance after chance.
After weathering the storm the Bees began to grow in confidence and in the 71st minute they doubled their lead though Gaylor whose low strike gave the Bees breathing space.
That vital second goal settled Donati’s side and with 88 minutes played Brookes put the cherry on top of a fine win with a sensational 35-yard free-kick to complete the scoring.
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