Two goals in four second half minutes condemned Sutton’s women’s team to defeat in a tight game on their first league appearance at the VBS Community Stadium this season and enabled Brentford to go to the top of the London & South East Regional League table.

In front of a crowd of 151, the first half saw few clear chances early on, but Brentford should have gone in front when Asees Sangha met a low cross from the right about eight yards out but could only direct her shot straight at Megan Taylor, who had also held a free kick from Maddie Phillips as Brentford enjoyed slightly the better of the first period.

However just before half time Sutton came close to taking the lead when Phoebe Langley’s corner from the right was met on the volley by Millie Cutler and Saskia Reeves-Priestley in the Brentford goal had to make a good save down low to her left, grabbing the ball at the second attempt.

The second half was similarly closely fought with few openings, Sutton enjoying a good spell after a double substitution saw Brianna Gilbert-Lawal and K’Shaela Burch-Waldron brought on, Gilbert-Lawal producing one good run on the left but unable to find a cross to match.

It was another substitute, Brentford’s Chelsie Berry, who broke the deadlock when a deflected shot fell to her in space in the penalty area and she fired low in to the net past Taylor, who had no chance. Four minutes later Ashley Cheatley cut in from the left past Langley and was brought down by Ella Meehan, and Phillips doubled the lead from the penalty spot, putting the game beyond Sutton who tired as the final whistle approached and Taylor made one good save to prevent Brentford extending the margin of victory while Cheatley sent a volley just wide.

Sutton: M Taylor, L Dunne, E Meehan, E Oliver, B Humphrey, M Heavingham-Ford, E Spear, P Langley, M Cutler, N Sabania, A Warren. Subs all used H Baptiste, E Clark, C Chase, K Burch-Waldron, B Gilbert-Lawal.

The development side lost their unbeaten record away to Dorking Wanderers, who extended their lead over U’s at the top of the table to four points, clinching a 2-1 win with a late free kick.

Photo credit: Leora Jesner