Brentford Women 3 Barking 1: Berry, Sangha and Cheatley on target in new year win | OneFootball

Brentford Women battled out an entertaining 3-1 win over Barking at Bedfont Sports Club on Sunday.

Chelsie Berry gave the Bees an early lead in the London and South East Premier clash, before second-half goals from Asees Sangha and Ashley Cheatley ensured the west Londoners secured all three points, despite outfield player Bo Taylor playing over half of the game in goal.

In sunny but cold conditions in west London, Carly Williams welcomed defender Regan Graver back into the matchday squad after time out, while B team leading goalscorer Marta Boabonay made her first-team debut.

After a clunky start to the game for both sides, the Bees opened the scoring with a Cheatley and Berry combination. Cheatley edged her defender away from the ball and pushed forward before playing to Berry, the forward contesting the ball with Barking goalkeeper Kira Honour before taking possession and tapping it home.

On 15 minutes, the Brentford backline was given their first real test as Shawna Harvey looked to run onto a long ball. After fighting off Makeba Black, Harvey shot from close to the penalty spot, but her effort was blocked by Rebecca Teale, sliding in from the left side.

In her return to the first team following an injury, goalkeeper Evie Thorne Ford was called into action on 29 minutes. After Harvey was played through inside the box, Thorne Ford bravely slid into danger to secure the ball.

The half-hour mark passed and the west Londoners came close to doubling their lead through Berry. Lucy Potter’s free-kick was sent to the near post, with Berry running onto the ball unopposed, but her glancing header was wide of the goal.

On the brink of half-time, Brentford found themselves in an awkward situation as Thorne Ford was forced off due to an injury. Substitute Taylor was the outfield player called up by Williams to go in goal.

Out of the break, Boabonay was brought on for her first-team bow, replacing Berry, who had been booked midway through the first half.

Sangha did well to earn a free-kick outside the box early in the second 45 minutes. Alissa Down was tasked with taking the free-kick and her effort was on target, however the ball was safely secured by Honour in goal.

Needing to find an equaliser, Barking started the second half well and looked threatening going forward. Miquellah Meade pushed down the right and crossed a dangerous ball into the box, however couldn’t find the boot of a team-mate as the ball faded across the face of goal.

Two minutes later, it was Cheatley who looked destined to score at the other end as she broke forward, however her strike was sent straight to the hands of Honour.

Soon after, Barking looked to have the leveller they craved as Laura Bunton broke forward and put the ball in the back of the net, however she was ruled offside.

The entertaining start to the second half didn’t stop there as Barking continued to press. Harvey again made her presence felt in attack, the striker putting the ball past Taylor, who had come out of her goal, however Potter was able to track the ball down and clear it off the line.

As the hour mark approached, Cheatley continued to create chances, this time pouncing on a loose Barking pass in their own half. The striker kept the ball alive with her left foot and sent her effort wide of the right post.

After a frantic start to the second half, both teams settled into proceedings as the half wore on. The Bees managed to double their lead on 74 minutes, this time through Sangha.

Receiving the ball from Cheatley near the edge of the box, she turned and fired a powerful left-footed strike at goal, the ball cannoning into the bar before going in to double Williams’ side’s lead.

It was three soon after as Cheatley added a goal of her own. Running onto a brilliant through ball from Maï Louvirer, the no.16 neatly tucked the ball into the bottom-right corner to make it 3-0.

Despite Brentford’s dominance, Barking continued to press and were rewarded on 90 minutes as Dan Carlton’s long-range free-kick slipped through the hands of Taylor before bouncing in.

Brentford Women: Thorne Ford (Taylor 45+4), Potter, Sangha, Down, McCrea (Graver 58), Cheatley, McKenzie (Louvrier 67), Worsley (Harris-Walters 80), Berry (Boabonay HT), Black, Teale

Booked: Berry 33, Cheatley 90+3

Barking: Honour, Warwick, Grieve, Clifford, Meade, H. Jenks-Landen, Carlton, Wills, Bunton, Harvey, Charles

Subs: Blythe, Cook, F. Pridie, N. Pridie, E. Jenks-Landen

Booked: Grieve 18

Williams: I'm really pleased with the win

Brentford Women head coach Carly Williams reflected positively on her side's 3-1 win over Barking at Bedfont Sports Club.

"We knew Barking were going to be a tough side, so I think to come away with the win and be dominant was really important, so I'm really pleased with the win," she said.

"Three fantastic goals... I thought there were really good connections across the front three, so it was really good to see that carry on from where we left off in 2025.

"It's important to acknowledge that we did have a clean sheet but then obviously we had an outfield player covering in goal, so we'll absolutely take that."