Report: Brentford Women 3-1 Sutton United Women

Two second-half goals condemned Sutton United Women to back-to-back defeats, as they lost 3-1 to Brentford Women.

Sutton were the weaker side in the opening 10 minutes, and fell behind after goalkeeper Megan Taylor misjudged a bouncing through ball, getting beaten to it by the toe of Asees Sangha, who prodded home into an empty net to give Brentford the lead.

However, attacking with wind behind their backs, the U’s responded brilliantly with a free kick that was deflected a yard into the air at the back post and under the crossbar was K’Shaela Burch-Waldren to nod it past three players, dragging Sutton level.

It was the first goal the home side had conceded all season, and it appeared to rock the Bees.

Just moments later, they were lucky not to concede a penalty when Milly Cutler was pushed in the back while through on goal, going down, but the referee waved it away.

It capped a ferocious and choppy opening 25 minutes, where both sides enjoyed dominant periods, Brentford starting the game better but Sutton ending the half with more to be pleased about, fighting to bring the game level going into the break.

And under the continued rumble of Heathrow Airport, which sits behind the Bedfont Sports Centre, the game continued to be turbulent, chances being shared before the game was flipped on its head once again – Renai McCrea curling Brentford back in front from the edge of the area.

To concede so early on in the second half would have disappointed manager Lucy Clark and before the U’s could begin to muster up a response, captain Maddie Phillips nearly doubled the West Londoners’ advantage, smacking the post from 18 yards out.

The Bees were then swarming and in search of that fatal sting, which they nearly did, if not for a spectacular save by Taylor, leaping like the aircraft behind her goal to deny Chelsie Berry from outside the box.

With five minutes left to play, Sutton switched to a back three, but failed to get a foothold on the game and were punished right on the 90 – Berry heading home from a corner to make it 3-1 and seal the three points for Brentford.

It means the U’s are now winless in four, losing three in that run, though Clark will point to the strength of the opposition they have played with Dartford, Saltdean and Brentford all on course to be in the fight for promotion.

However, next Sunday presents a good opportunity for Sutton to get back on track as they host Barking at the David Weir Leisure Centre.