The Bees three game winning  streak came to an end – after falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Gillingham in the FA Women’s National League.

 

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 16th minute after Jade Keogh found Phoebe Leitch from a corner, who took the ball around Faye Hazelton and tapped it in to put her side ahead.

 

At the half hour mark, the Bees went close to equalising after they won a free-kick on the left side of the pitch.

 

Jo Wilson stepped up and sent it into the goalmouth, but nobody from the visiting side could turn it in, leaving Cara Davies to come out and punch it clear. 

 

Shortly afterwards Wilson found space and chipped the ball over Davies, who pulled the prolific striker to the ground.

 

Calls for a penalty from Sian Osmond’s side were ignored by referee Matthew Charles and it remained 1-0. 

 

Just after the break, the hosts doubled their lead when Amy Russ produced a curling shot from the edge of the box which went over Hazelton and neatly into the far corner.

 

Straight after conceding the second goal, the Bees headed straight into the final third of the pitch before laying it off to Ashleigh Goddard, whose shot went over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

 

The 74th minute saw Wilson in front of goal with options around her, but she couldn’t find the space to shoot as the hosts remained resilient.

 

The Bees’ No. 39 did find a way through in the 80th minute as she controlled the ball and rounded the ‘keeper to send it into the back of the net and pull one back.

 

In the closing stages, Gillingham almost put the game beyond doubt after the ball was swept towards goal to force Hazelton was forced to make a diving save.

 

In a final effort to find an equaliser, Ward-Chambers fired at goal from distance, but it was caught by Davies to ensure her side would take the points.

 

Gillingham: Cara Davies, Georgia Pearch, Vicky Ashton-Jones, Georgia Griffin (Mel Espinosa 75’), Jade Keogh, Kara Fordjour (Otesha Charles 46’), Beau Parker, Amy Russ, Phoebe Leitch, Amy Haynes, Mary Bashford. Subs (not used): Millie Waud, Maddie Farrand.

 

Goals: Phoebe Leitch (16’) Amy Russ (52’).

 

Bees: Faye Hazelton, Hannah Porter, Flo Gamby, Courtnay Ward-Chambers, Parker Dunn, Lauren Heria (Frankie Webster 90+4’), Millie Constantine (Ashleigh Goddard 53’), Sophie Lee (Jess Burke 88’), Megan Wood (Danielle Puddefoot 66’), Jade Bell, Jo Wilson. Subs (not used): Stef Paci.

 

Goals: Jo Wilson (80’).

 

Referee: Matthew Charles.