The London Bees left it until the very last moment before holding their nerve in a penalty shootout to progress to the next round of the Capital Women’s Senior Cup.
Relentless rain fell throughout the evening, but it did little to dampen the Bees’ intensity.
From the opening whistle, they started on the front foot, pressing the hosts early as they looked to assert control.
Despite the strong start, it was QPR who carved out the first real chance, when a corner delivery struck the post before the Bees’ defence reacted well to clear the danger.
The deadlock was broken around the 15-minute mark in stunning fashion. Sandra Martins picked up the ball outside the box and unleashed a powerful, low drive into the bottom right corner to give the Bees the lead.
However, the advantage was short lived.
QPR responded in the 25th minute, levelling the score when a corner was tapped in at the back post.
The Bees pushed to regain control for the remainder of the half, while Emma Roberts was called into action at the other end.
The Bees’ goalkeeper produced a series of crucial saves, denying several long-range efforts to ensure the scores remained level.
Just before the interval, Dan McKimm made a change, with Lily Whitelock replacing Shamoy Campbell.
Half-time: QPR 1–1 London Bees
QPR began the second half with increased pressure, pushing higher up the pitch in an attempt to catch the Bees out, but the visitors’ defence stood firm.
The Bees went close to restoring their lead when Fran Vigo played an excellent ball down the wing to Martins, only for the move to be halted by an offside flag.
Moments later, a corner delivered by Millie Isherwood fell kindly to Hayley Hoare, but her effort was blocked and cleared.
In the 70th minute, Ryah Vyse and Sam Lanza were introduced in place of Aria Heil and Isherwood as the Bees looked for fresh impetus.
Shortly after, QPR took the lead when Lauren Amerena embarked on a solo run and struck from distance, the ball flying beyond Roberts and into the net.
With time running out, the Bees increased the tempo, retaining possession and committing players forward in search of an equaliser.
In the 86th minute QPR’s Fran Ali was shown a red card after receiving a second yellow for a foul on Hoare.
Deep into stoppage time, the Bees produced a dramatic finale.
Whitelock delivered a superb ball from the left, and Martins was perfectly positioned at the back post to tap home her second of the night, sending the match to penalties moments before the final whistle.
In the shootout, QPR converted first, before Betty Larkin responded for the Bees.
Roberts then made a vital save from QPR’s second penalty, allowing Martins to step up and put the Bees ahead.
After QPR scored their third, Whitelock saw her effort go over the bar to level the contest.
The shootout went to sudden death, and when QPR missed their sixth attempt, Sam Lanza calmly slotted home the winning penalty to seal progression and send the London Bees through to the next round of the Capital Women’s Senior Cup.
Full-Time: QPR 2 (4) – 2 (5) London Bees
London Bees win 5-4 on penalties.
The London Bees return to league action on Sunday as they travel to face Chatham Town away in the FAWNL Division One South East.
Lineup: Roberts, Heil (Vyse 70′), Martins, Durn (Burrows 46′), Isherwood (Lanza 70′), Vigo, Larkin, Wozniak (Hoare 46′), Davidson, Campbell (Whitelock 44′), Doolan
Goals: Martins (17′, 90+3′)