The Bees suffered defeat in the final away game of the 2021/22 season – losing 3-0 at Ipswich Town in the FA Women’s National League.
Ipswich took an early lead as Kyra Robertson let Anna Grey’s delivery into the centre run across her to Maria Boswell who kept a cool head to fire across goal and into the bottom corner.
The hosts continued to dominate the early stages and went close to doubling their lead in the 20th minute after some tidy work from Bonnie Horwood on the edge of the box.
The quick footwork from the former Bees player allowed her to thread Anna Grey in behind the defence, whose shot towards the top corner was pushed wide by Burgess.
The Bees’ best chance in the opening half hour came as Jo Wilson’s dangerous cross from the left had to be headed just over the crossbar by Lucy Egan.
Burgess was tested again in the 40th minute when Lucy O’Brien played a delicate ball through to Grey whose high shot was parried away by Burgess.
On the stroke of half-time the hosts added a second when Sarah Brasero-Carreria brought the ball forward and found O’Brien who fired low past the goalie from just inside the box.
Ashleigh Goddard caused some panic to the Ipswich defence in the 62nd minute when her looping cross into the area took a big bounce in the six-yard area and had to be tipped over the bar by Sarah Quantrill.
The Tractor Girls responded immediately and went close to scoring for a third time when Boswell’s cross was met by Eva Hubbard whose shot was saved by Burgess.
Joe Sheehan’s side scored from the resulting corner when Abbie Lafayette’s corner made its way to O’Brien who struck a low shot into the back of the net from a few yards out.
Lafayette’s corner almost proved to be a threat again in the 71st minute when Egan towered above her defender to meet the ball and head it just over the crossbar.
With just under 20 minutes to go the Bees were presented with a big opportunity to pull one back when Jo Wilson played the ball to Ashleigh Goddard in the box who smacked the near post.
Chiara Lape was first to the rebound but she lashed it wide of the post whilst the goal was gaping – leaving the hosts to take the points at the Goldstar Ground.
Ipswich: Sarah Quantrill, Maria Boswell, Lucy Egan, Abbie Lafayette, Eva Hubbard, Bonnie Horwood ©, Kyra Robertson, Eloise King, Lucy O’Brien, Anna Grey, Sarah Brasero-Carreira. Subs: Leonie Jackson, Natasha Thomas, Zoe Barratt, Summer Hughes, Abbie Jackson.
Goals: Boswell (4’), O’Brien (45+3’, 67’).
Bees: Shayla Burgess, Caitlin Finnerty, Danielle Puddefoot, Hannah Porter, Parker Dunn, Lauren Heria ©, Chiara Lape, Millie Constantine, Dan Carlton, Jade Bell, Jo Wilson. Subs: Faye Hazelton, Amber Tullett, Courtnay Ward-Chambers, Ashleigh Goddard, Catherine Reeves.
Referee: Lee Markwick.
Attendance: 302.