MATCH REPORT | CAMBRIDGE UNITED 0-1 LONDON BEES

London Bees spoiled Cambridge United’s first game at their new home stadium as Dan McKimm’s side secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the U’s, thanks to a Grace Breen header and a number of superb saves from Jamie-Lee Hindle-Bamford.

The Bees started brightly, applying pressure on the hosts from the opening minutes, but Cambridge proved to be a tough opponent and refused to back down.

The visitors created the first big chance of the game when a corner was delivered into the Cambridge box. The ball fell to Elizabeth Mulvaney, who looked to tap home from close range, but a crucial block near the goal line denied the Bees before the danger was cleared.

Hayley Hoare came close shortly afterwards, firing towards the bottom-right corner from outside the box, but the Cambridge goalkeeper reacted quickly to get down and make the save.

Cambridge then came close to breaking the deadlock themselves. A corner was delivered into the Bees box and, similar to Mulvaney’s earlier effort, the hosts saw their chance blocked by the Bees defence before the ball was eventually cleared.

Midway through the first half, McKimm was forced into an early change after Sam Lanza was involved in a collision with a Cambridge player. Lanza required medical attention from the Bees physios and, although she was later able to leave the field under her own power, she was unable to continue. Betty Larkin came on in her place.

As play resumed, Megan Burrows looked to release Larkin down the left and into the box, but the referee brought play back for offside.

Larkin thought she had broken the deadlock just minutes before the break when she raced through, rounded the goalkeeper and found the back of the net. However, the flag was raised once again for offside, with the goal ruled out.

Cambridge came out strongly after the restart, stepping up the pressure and posing more of a threat to the Bees backline.

The hosts eventually found space at the back post for a free header, but Hindle-Bamford produced a brilliant save, reaching across to tip the ball over the bar and keep the scores level.

McKimm made further changes around the hour mark, introducing Sandra Martins and Che Thomas.

Martins made an instant impact. Following a Cambridge counter-attack from a Bees corner, the defender chased down the Cambridge attacker and won the ball back, turning defence into attack and getting the Bees moving forward once again.

The deadlock was finally broken midway through the second half.

Fiona Buttigieg delivered a corner from the right, picking out Breen at the back post. The defender rose highest and headed the ball down towards the bottom-right corner, finding the net and opening her scoring account for the Bees.

With the clock ticking down, Cambridge pushed for an equaliser, but the Bees held firm and defended their lead with everything they had.

After a tense period of added time, the referee brought proceedings to an end, confirming another important three points for McKimm’s side and a second consecutive victory.

Full-Time: Cambridge United 0-1 London Bees

The Bees are in midweek cup action at The Bees Stadium this Thursday night as they host Tottenham Hotspur PGA in the FAWNL Cup.

Lineup: Hindle-Bamford, Heil, Breen, Cashin, Beard (Thomas 68′), Burrows (Martins 57′), Lanza (Larkin 23′), Mulvaney, Biggadike, Buttigieg, Hoare (c)

Goals: Breen (70′)