Bees flying high after scoring four past Saltdean United
London Bees made it three wins from three in the league with an emphatic 4-1 victory away to Saltdean United.
From the opening whistle, the Bees looked determined to bounce back from Thursday’s result and immediately set the tempo, enjoying plenty of possession and taking control of proceedings.
However, Jamie-Lee Hindle-Bamford was called into action early on, quickly coming off her line to intercept a dangerous low cross through the box.
The Bees soon regained control and broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes. Gemma Biggadike produced a brilliant challenge to win the ball back in the hosts’ half, allowing Hayley Hoare to turn towards goal and take aim from outside the box.
Her effort flew beyond the reach of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give the Bees an early lead with a superb finish.
It did not take long for the Bees to double their advantage, with a second goal arriving just five minutes later.
A corner was delivered into the box, with Aria Heil heading the ball back into the middle. Betty Larkin reacted quickest, battling her way through the Saltdean defence to gain possession before calmly placing her finish into the bottom-right corner.
The Bees continued to push forward in search of more, with Elizabeth Mulvaney looking to add her name to the scoresheet.
Breaking free down the right, Mulvaney struck an effort across goal towards the far top corner, but the goalkeeper managed to get a touch on the ball and turn it behind for a corner.
The visitors remained firmly in control throughout the remainder of the first half and added a third goal just before the break.
Niamh Cashin was on hand to connect with a corner delivery, volleying home from close range to score her first goal for the Bees and send her side into half-time with a commanding advantage.
Half-Time: Saltdean United 0-3 London Bees
Saltdean came out for the second half with renewed energy and began to put the Bees under more pressure.
The hosts created several opportunities during the opening stages of the half, including a header at the back post from a corner that forced Hindle-Bamford into a brilliant diving save.
However, shortly after the hour mark, Saltdean did manage to pull a goal back. Another corner found its way to the back post, and after the Bees initially dealt with the danger, the hosts were able to find the net with a second attempt.
Despite losing their clean sheet, the Bees quickly responded and restored their three-goal advantage just minutes later.
Megan Burrows found space down the left and looked to send the ball across the box, but her delivery was deflected away by the Saltdean defence. The ball fell perfectly to Biggadike on the edge of the area, who struck it first time and guided a low effort into the bottom-right corner to score her first goal in black and amber.
Dan McKimm made several substitutions throughout the remainder of the second half, introducing fresh energy as the Bees looked to see out the game.
The visitors remained in control until the final whistle, securing an impressive 4-1 victory and three more points on the road in Sussex.
Full-Time: Saltdean United 1-4 London Bees
The Bees return home this coming Sunday as attention turns to FAWNL Cup action, with Dan McKimm’s side set to host National League Southern side Real Bedford.
Lineup: Hindle-Bamford, Heil, Breen, Cashin, Beard (Thomas 79′), Burrows (Smith 85′), Larkin (Martins 71′), Mulvaney (Vigo 79′), Biggadike, Buttigieg, Hoare (c)
Goals: Hoare (7′), Larkin (12′), Cashin (43′), Biggadike (69′)