Bees Maintain Winning Start

Dagenham & Redbridge LFC 1 Barnet FC Ladies 2

South East Combination League

Sunday 18 September 2005

At Dagenham & Redbridge FC

Barnet traveled away to newly promoted Dagenham & Redbridge in confident form after an excellent 6-1 win against Gillingham the previous week. They knew that a fifth successive win would cement their place at the top of the South East Combination League table.

Barnet started the quicker of the two teams and went ahead after just eight minutes. Following an excellent build up on the left hand side, Katie O' Donoghue produced a cross which was cleared by a Daggers defender. However, the ball only reachedthe feet of Bees striker Beth Curtis who sent a rasping 20 yard strike into the roof of the net.This goal maintained Curtis' 100% record of scoring in all of Barnet's games thus far.

Dagenham responded minutes later by striking the crossbar with a well struck free-kick from Kelly Stock.The Bees' reacted by attacking with pace & power to put the home side on the back foot. With more luck could have increased their lead.

Barnet keeper Jess Devoti was also in excellent form claiming all that Dagenham threw at her, unfortunately this resistance was broken on 35 minutes when Daggers striker Sarah Matson headed in from close range to equal the score at 1-1.This only seemed to spur the unbeaten Bees on and they were unfortunate not to take the lead a minute later when Curtis' corner was met by the head of Ashley Hutton only to see the ball cannon off the bar.

The Bees eventually broke down the stubborn resistance of the Daggers backline on 42 minutes. Davina Smith's excellent cross was met by a sweetly struck volley from Stacey Sowden to make it 2-1 this goal took Sowden's total to nine for the season and to 50 goals in her Barnet career.

The second half started with both sides in an attacking mood as the action went from end to end. Barnet needed to call on all their resolute defending to keep Dagenham at bay as Matson rounded Bees keeper Jess Devoti only for captain Cerrie Byrne to bravely clear off the line whilst colliding with the post.Barnet had further opportunities to take the lead but the Daggers keeper was in inspired form to keep the home side in the game.

On 70 minutes newly introduced substitute Holly Dawson's first contribution was to collect an excellent cross-field pass from Beth Curtis to drive at the heart of the Daggers defence. Only an excellent save prevented the new signing from scoring for the second consecutive week.The final shot of the game fell to Northern Ireland international Ashley Hutton who produced an excellent save from the outstanding Daggers keeper with a close range effort from within the six-yard box.

The final whistle signaled a fithth consecutive win for the high flying Bees who now sit on top of the league table two points clear of nearest challengers NorthamptonTown.

Barnet Team: Jess Devoti, Davina Smith, Cerrie Byrne, Ashley Hutton, Katie Wicka, Hannah Grover, Hayley Johnson, Emma Treanor, Stacey Sowden, Beth Curtis, Katie O'Donoghue.

Substitutes: Holly Dawson (for Hayley Johnson 69 mins), Kerry O'Connor (not used)

Goalscorers:Beth Curtis (8 mins), Stacey Sowden (42 mins)

This weekend Barnet FC Ladies entertain Leyton Orient in a South East Combination League fixture at Hanwell Town FC.Kick-off is at 2.00pm.

Barnet FC Ladies Reserves romped to their first win of the season thanks to an 8-0 home win against Dagenham & Redbridge Reserves.Last season's top scorer Sophie Reed netted a hattrick, whilst midfielder Kerry Jones weighed in with two spectacular long-range efforts.The other Barnet goals were scored by Maddy Hills, Vicky Blackburn and Jackie MacLannan.