Bees put out a strong performance against Actonians but a last minute penalty denies Dan McKimm’s side a point on the road.
As the game went underway, the Bees looked to assert themselves within the opening minutes as they charged towards goal.
Sandra Martins had the Bees attempt on goal with a long-range effort outside the box to try and catch the goalkeeper off her line, but it ended sailing past the post.
However, despite the early press from the Bees, it was the hosts who took the lead after a stunning strike outside the box from A’s Georgia Griffin, unreachable for Tia Ginn as it found the top right corner of the net.
Despite the setback the Bees continue to play well, and fighting to get themselves back in this game, as well as stopping the hosts from pushing forward and creating more opportunities up front.
Hayley Hoare won a corner in the 25th minute of the game, when her shot cross into the box got deflected out from a block by an Actonians defender.
Hoare delivered a superb cross into the box, Renai Bennett leaped highest to knock the ball forward towards goal, which was carried on by Martins, who headed it downwards and past the goalkeeper to bring the Bees back into the game.
After the leveller the Bees performance started to pick up, the ball was moving around with higher tempo and accuracy towards the attacking end of the field, providing more chances.
Another corner was awarded to Dan McKimm’s side with another good delivery by Hoare, the Bees get a head on it but it went just wide of the post.
Just before the break Martins broke free down the left wing and tests the keeper at the near post with a low driven shot, but the A’s keeper made a good save to deny the Cape Verdean, forcing it out for another corner.
However, nothing came from the corner as the game was halted for the half-time break.
Half-Time: Actonains 1-1 London Bees
One change for the Bees at the break as Rebekah Wozniak was replaced by Cheyenne Flynn for the remaining 45 minutes.
As the game went back underway, Ginn was faced with a counterattack by the Actonians forwards.
Ginn produced a moment of brilliance early in the half as she saved an attempt but couldn’t keep a hold of the ball.
She then stopped the rebounded effort which was then followed by another rebounded effort that she saved again, this time catching the ball and stopping the hosts taking the advantage, unbelievable performance from the Bees shot stopper.
Dan McKimm made a double substitution on the hour mark, bringing on Aimee Durn and Millie Isherwood in replace of Bennett and Betty Larkin.
Shamoy Campbell broke free and fired a long range effort to try and get the Bees it front but it carried too much height as it went over the bar.
Actonians were adding on the pressure going deeper into the second half but the Bees did well to stay composed and attempt to turn the direction of play back down the other end of the field.
As the game entered the final ten minutes on regular time, Hoare cut inside from the left and looked to curl the ball towards the far post, but the goalkeeper got her hands to it and denied the fullback.
The game then suddenly took a massive turn as a shot on goal by Actonians deflected of the shoulder of Megan Burrows and the referee pointed towards the spot, claiming a hand ball and awarding a penalty to the hosts.
Kayra Karakus stepped up for the A’s and placed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
Despite Ginn’s best efforts in diving the right way to keep the ball out, the hosts took the lead with only minutes remaining.
The Bees pushed hard for a late leveller to try and rescue a point in the game, but only minutes remained and not long after the referee blew the full-time whistle.
The London Bees put out a strong performance and showed great determination throughout the entire match, but a last-minute penalty settled the result.
Full-Time: Actonians 2-1 London Bees
The Bees are back on the road this Sunday as they travel to The Abby Stadium to take on Cambridge United in the FAWNL Division One South East.
Lineup: Ginn, Heil, Martins, Burrows, Gotch, Vigo, Larkin (Isherwood 56’), Wozniak (Flynn 46’), Campbell (Budden 79’), Hoare, Bennett (Durn 56’)
Goals: Martins (25’)