Three second-half goals condemned the Bees to defeat – losing 3-0 at home to Bridgwater United in the FA Women’s National League.
The visitors thought they had taken the lead early on as Nicola Potts found herself one-on-one with Faye Hazelton before she struck the ball into the bottom corner, but the offside flag was shown.
It was end-to-end as both teams searched for the opener. Bridgwater worked mostly on the counterattack, allowing the Bees to hold lengthy periods of possession and pressure.
Sian Osmond’s side looked to make their pressure count in the 32nd minute when Danielle Puddefoot sent the ball into the box where Jo Wilson was waiting, but it was caught in the air by Beth Howard.
Jade Bell went close to putting her side ahead when Puddefoot played the ball to her on the left wing before her shot from just inside the box was saved by Howard.
On the stroke of half-time, Bridgwater made a final effort at goal which brushed the bar, but the two sides went into the break level.
The Bees looked strong at the start of the second-half as Wilson’s free-kick forced a stretched Howard to make a save in the 48th minute.
Bridgwater scored their first of the afternoon in the 65th minute as Parker Dunn lost the ball which allowed Strippel to curl it over Hazelton and into the bottom corner from just inside the area.
United’s second goal came in the 83rd minute when they won possession on the counter.
Amber Tullett and Hannah Porter backed off the ball which let Meesha Dudley-Jones run through the middle towards goal and slot it past Hazelton into the bottom corner.
The visitors rounded off their performance in stoppage time when they won the ball on the counterattack and sent through Jenna Markham to score and secure the three points for her side.
Bees: Faye Hazelton, Danielle Puddefoot, Amber Tullett, Hannah Porter, Flo Gamby ©, Courtnay Ward-Chambers (Frankie Webster 86’), Parker Dunn, Megan Wood (Millie Constantine 86’), Jade Bell, Ashleigh Goddard (Hannah Coote 76’), Jo Wilson (Alketa Rragami 90+2’). Subs (not used): Danielle Carlton.
Bridgwater: Beth Howard, Leah Burridge ©, Amy Goddard, Holly Chandler, Bow Jackson, Laura Holden, Nicola Potts (Daisy Ackerman 85’), Charlotte Buxton, Sydney Hinchcliffe (Jenna Markham 85’), Efion Llewellyn (Meesha Dudley-Jones 59’), Emily Wilson White (Ellie Strippel 40’). Subs (not used): Georgia Evans
Goals: Ellie Strippel (64’), Meesha Dudley-Jones (83’), Jenna Markham (90+4’).
Referee: Yashar Yekta.