With very few options available. It was time for a trip to the Hive. London Bees taking on Gillingham Women, on an Astro turf pitch adjacent to the main stadium. Spectators’ views obstructed by a cage.
Sunday’s sunny affair started with a kick off from the host. Passing the ball around the back, before giving away possession easily. Positive play from their opponents picking up play to make a run forward. Rolling out for a goal kick. Working their way into the final third, todays home side delivered a cross into the box. Which made its way through without any contact being applied. Failing to find the target from close range. Action swapped sides as Gillingham gained ground. Twisting and turning the attacker opened space in the area. Unable to make it count. An injury to a visiting player allowed a very early water break, as the warm weather conditions increased. Before poor passing played through the guest. Gillingham only coming out with a throw, as they threw away a great chance. However, the host managed to switch play. Letting the wide player walk into acres of free area. Shortly followed by a counter attack by the travelling team. Firing over the bar. Diagonally diverting the ball, Gillingham were close to breaking the deadlock, stopped soon after bees delayed any further advances. Looking for a lead, the home side ended up in the six-yard box. Putting the effort past the keeper. Having popped it around, to pick out the player. Offside denied a quick double. Flag being raised, as the player approached. Slotting a slow pass between centre backs, Gillingham gave possession away, leaving London Bees to lump a long ball. Finding the feet of a teammate. Who tried to chip the keeper, instead forcing a comfortably catch. Dreadful defending created a chance for Courtney Ward Chambers to cross. Earning a penalty, following a foul inside the box. Doubling the today’s tally. Skying a simple shot the host could have had a third. Causing concern as we entered the final minutes, Courtney Ward Chambers went down. Medical staff moving quickly to assess the situation.
Positive play proceeded the break. Gillingham coming out all guns blazing, as they started the period. Desperate to open their account in Barnet. Timing the tempo, a goal almost came, if not for a low save by the keeper. Sliding side to side. London Bees looked for a way through. Edging closer, having had a corner, host player heading into the arms of the opponents shot stopper. Brilliantly blocking an attempt. The London bee’s keeper kept the score as was. To the surprise of all players, supporters and management staff. Perfectly pinpointing a pass. The home team picked out a player, in a crowded area. Poking past the on-rushing shot stopper. As she went ground bound. Curling an attempt from the edge of the box, Bees battled the ball towards the net, narrowly missing the top corner. Against the run of play. Gillingham had a goal. Rolling in at the far post, as players were caught off guard, heat having a detrimental effect. Accusations of a punch arose in the guest half. The mouthy centre back falsely calmly a punch was thrown. Visibly unable to go face to face with Courtney Ward Chambers.
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