London Bees registered their first win of the new season to move off the bottom of the Women’s Super League 2 table by beating Millwall Lionesses 2-1 in a thrilling derby at The Hive on Wednesday evening.
A brace for Ashleigh Goddard was enough to give the Bees all three points on the night, with her spectacular winner coming during the closing stages of a game that saw the Bees bounce back from the disappointment of conceding an equaliser that was gifted to Lionesses’ Rosella Ayane.
Ahead of the game, Julian Broomes named two changes to the side that was narrowly beaten by Aston Villa at the weekend. Billie Brooks was recalled to the starting line-up having recovered from injury whilst Katherine Huggins was named in the other full-back position, allowing Paula Howells to push forward into midfield as both Samantha Miller and Rebecca Anderson dropped to the bench.
The visitors started the game brightly with Imogen Riches twice being called into action by clawing away Ashlee Hincks’ long-range effort and blocking a shot from former Bee Megan Goss before Hincks spurned the best chance of the half by dragging wide from just six yards out.
However, the Bees were still creating opportunities of their own and kept Millwall on their toes with an Andria Georgiou strike that flew wide of the post and an Amber Gaylor effort that Sarah Quantrill had to gather.
Their best chance came on 35 minutes when Gaylor broke down the right before crossing for Gemma Fraser, but her strike partner was just unable to stretch a toe onto the ball and divert the ball into the net from close-range.
The Bees regrouped at the break and came out a rejuvenated side, and their efforts were soon rewarded five minutes after half-time when they took the lead after Ashleigh Goddard showed tremendous bravery to head home from a corner after the ball had bounced back off the crossbar.
The goal buoyed the Bees, but they were quickly left with a familiar sinking feeling as Millwall drew level on 63 minutes with a goal that came completely against the run of play as striker Rosella Ayane managed to block an attempted throw-out by Imogen Riches before converting into an unguarded net.
Yet the Bees refused to let their heads drop, and picked themselves up to soak up some increased pressure by Millwall before making much of the late running in search of a winner.
The pivotal moment finally came with ten minutes left on the clock when Ashleigh Goddard hit a ball first-time from the edge of the box, sending the ball looping up and over Quantrill to spark wild scenes of celebration on the pitch and in the stands.
The Bees then hung on during the gripping closing stages to register their first victory of the new season and move off the bottom of the table going into the summer break, one point above Watford Ladies who have a game in hand away to Everton on Sunday.
London Bees: Imogen Riches; Billie Brooks, Jade Dempster, Aoife Hurley, Katherine Huggins; Paige Wakefield, Ashleigh Goddard, Andria Georgiou (Rebecca Anderson 67), Paula Howells; Amber Gaylor (Lucy Loomes 85), Gemma Fraser.
Millwall Lionesses: Sarah Quantrill; Leanne Cowan (Jordon Butler 77), Dionne Lennon, Naomi Cole, Frankie Strugnell; Lilli Maple (Lily Agg 61), Danielle Carlton, Megan Goss (Rinsola Babajide 64), Lillie Bilson; Rosella Ayane, Ashlee Hincks.
Attendance: 302
