London Bees finished off their Pre-Season campaign with a 2-1 win over Stevenage Borough at The Bees Stadium.
The London Bees made an electric start to their final pre-season outing, coming close within seconds of the opening whistle.
Sam Lanza struck the ball sweetly from the edge of the box with her first touch, narrowly missing the post.
Soon after, Lily Whitelock was presented with a golden opportunity following a pinpoint cross from Betty Larkin.
Whitelock met the ball cleanly in the centre of the area, but her powerful effort flew just over the bar.
The Bees dominated the opening half, creating a flurry of chances and constantly threatening down the flanks.
On the 20-minute mark, Shamoy Campbell burst down the right wing and delivered a high cross into the area aimed at Lanza.
She rose well to meet it, but her header skimmed just past the near post.
Larkin and Lanza continued to be a menace in the final third, repeatedly testing the Stevenage defence.
However, the visitors began to grow into the game, showing more attacking intent as the half progressed.
Just before the break, the Bees finally found their breakthrough.
Larkin, scoring for the second consecutive game, picked up the ball in space, drove forward confidently, and calmly slotted her shot into the bottom-left corner to give Dan McKimm’s side a deserved lead.
Half-Time: London Bees 1-0 Stevenage Borough
The second half began on a sour note for the Bees, as Stevenage quickly levelled the score.
A ball over the top caught the defence off guard and looped over the keeper into the back of the net.
The Bees responded positively, pushing forward in search of a winner.
Manager Dan McKimm injected fresh legs into the side, bringing on Brionne Fowle, Layla Kenly, Sophie Davidson, and Cheyenne Flynn.
Just after the hour mark, the Bees earned a corner which sparked chaos in the Stevenage box.
Flynn rose highest and forced a strong save from the keeper, with the rebound falling to Lanza.
For the second time in the match, she was denied by the woodwork as her follow-up effort struck the post.
Larkin continued to trouble the Stevenage goalkeeper with several attempts, but the game remained level heading into the final moments.
Then, with the game nearing its end, the Bees found their winner.
Campbell surged down the wing and delivered a low cross into the box, which Mira Hoteit latched onto and smashed home to restore the lead.
There was more to cheer about as Destiny Rosier-Welsh made her return to the pitch, replacing Larkin in the final moments after a lengthy spell out due to injury.
The referee’s final whistle brought an end to an entertaining contest and a strong pre-season campaign for the Bees, who head into the new season full of confidence.
Full-Time: London Bees 2-1 Stevenage Borough
The London Bees are back next Sunday in league action as they visit Chesham United for the start of the 2025/26 Division One South East Season.
Line-up: Ginn, Hoteit, Heil, Clement (Davidson 57′), Lanza, Burrows, Vigo (Fowle 46′), Larkin (Rosier-Welsh 85′), Wozniak (Flynn 46′), Campbell, Whitelock (Kenly 57′)
Goals: Larkin (41’), Hoteit (85’)