The Bees will be visiting Stadium MK this Sunday (2pm) as they take on Milton Keynes Dons in matchday three of the Division One South East League.
London Bees:
London Bees delivered a dominant performance at The Bees Stadium with a 8-2 win against AFC Sudbury.
Controlling possession early and setting the tone, as Lily Whitelock was instrumental from the outset, creating constant pressure down the left wing.
The scoring opened when Megan Burrows capitalised on a rebound from the Sudbury keeper, calmly finishing into the bottom corner.
Just two minutes later, Whitelock provided a low cross for Sam Lanza to make it 2-0.
The Bees continued to press, with goals from Brionne Fowle and Aria Heil, both from well-worked corners, pushing the lead to 4-0.
Before half-time, Shamoy Campbell sprinted down the right and set up Betty Larkin for the fifth, making it 5-0 at the break with five different scorers.
The second half saw more of the same.
Whitelock again created a chance for Larkin, who slotted home her second.
Moments later, Campbell assisted Lanza for her brace, extending the score to 7-0.
Around the hour mark, another corner from Mira Hoteit found Heil, who headed in her second to make it 8-0.
Despite some late pressure from Sudbury, who scored twice in the final minutes, one from distance and another after a slight defensive error, the Bees’ earlier dominance secured an emphatic 8-2 victory.
London Bees last five results:
London Bees 8-2 AFC Sudbury
London Bees 1-2 Dulwich Hamlet (FAWNL League Cup)
Chesham United 0-4 London Bees
London Bees 2-1 Stevenage Borough (Pre-Season Friendly)
London Bees 2-2 Peterborough United (Pre-Season Friendly)
In the dugout:
Tim Abramyan pre-match thoughts can be viewed HERE!
MK Dons:
MK Dons faced Chatham Town away last Sunday, with the hosts taking the lead within five minutes and doubled their advantage midway through the first half.
Despite a strong save from Jamie-Lee Bamford and a crucial goal-line block by Annaliza Jacovides, the Dons trailed 2-0.
Momentum shifted when Mollie Knox beat the Chatham keeper with a composed finish, scoring MK Dons’ first goal of the season and reducing the deficit to 2-1 before half-time.
Chatham came out strong after the break, scoring a third from a rebound off Bamford to restore their two-goal cushion.
The Dons responded with attacking pressure, including a powerful strike from Amanda Chimbima.
And the game turned moments later when Chatham’s goalkeeper was sent off for a handball outside the box.
With a defender in goal, MK Dons capitalised, Molly Lemon fired a superb shot into the top corner to make it 3-2.
Despite late substitutions and sustained pressure during seven minutes of added time, the Dons couldn’t find an equaliser and narrowly lost in a spirited performance.
MK Dons last five results:
Chatham Town 3-2 MK Dons
MK Dons 0-5 Oxford United
MK Dons 0-7 QPR
Lewes 0-7 MK Dons
MK Dons 0-11 Ipswich Town
In the opposition dugout:
MK Dons newly appointed manager Stephen Healy will be in the dugout for the hosts on Sunday.
Ones to watch:
MK Dons midfielder Molly Lemon played a big role in the team’s last fixture, delivering both attacking support from midfield and scoring a crucial goal in an effort to bring her side back into the game.
Last time these two sides met:
London Bees fell to a 2-0 defeat to MK Dons at The Hive in March 2023.
The Bees started brightly and matched MK Dons for much of the opening half, with both sides enjoying spells of possession and looking to break the deadlock.
London Bees defended well and created promising moments going forward but couldn’t find a final touch in the final third.
However, just a minute before half-time, the Dons struck.
A lofted pass from Tricia Gould bypassed the Bees’ backline and found Zoe Barratt in space.
Coming out for the second half, the Bees looked to respond and pressed higher up the pitch, applying pressure in key areas.
But despite their efforts, MK Dons extended their lead midway through the second half.
Angelina Nixon picked up the ball centrally and hit a powerful strike from distance that flew past the Bees’ goalkeeper.
From there, the Dons managed the game well, limiting clear-cut chances for the Bees and holding onto their clean sheet.
The Bees will be eager to build on last Sunday’s impressive performance, aiming to add to their goal tally and strengthen their position at the top of the league table.