The Bees ended their unbeaten home run, losing 5-1 to Crawley Wasps in the FA Women’s National League.

In the third minute, Hannah Coote was found in acres of room on the left-hand side and got a shot away.

Megen Lynch got down low to make a strong save as the Bees No. 11 followed up with a second shot that was blocked behind by a Crawley defender.

The deadlock was broken in the 9th minute when Crawley took the lead. Hazelton made a wonderful save to first deny Nyara Denny, but the ball rebounded into the path of Charlotte Owen who slotted in.

The visitors pushed on for more, and in the 16th minute won a corner which resulted in a free-kick to the hosts. Soon after, Denny shot just wide of Hazelton’s far post, keeping the score at 1-0.

In the 23rd minute, Sian Osmond’s side levelled the scoring. Flo Gamby’s shot from distance looped over the opposition keeper and found the top far-corner to bring the Bees back into the game.

Soon after, Courtnay Ward-Chambers got a shot away from just inside the opposition penalty box, but it was blocked by Hope Nash and then cleared downfield.

The hosts began to get back into the game, counter-attacking from a Crawley free-kick in the 36th minute and winning a corner. Puddefoot narrowly missed the header and the ball went out for a goal kick.

The visitors retook the lead in the 38th minute when they mounted a quick counter-attack that forced Hazelton off of her line. Denny rounded the Bees’ ‘keeper and watched her strike bounce back off the post. 

Emma Plewa found herself with plenty of time to follow up on the rebound and put the visitors back in front.

The end of the half was largely dominated by the hosts as they looked to level the score for the second time in the match, as Ward-Chambers’ shot went just wide and over in the 40th minute.

The second half started with an early goal for the Wasps. A free-kick aimed towards the back post met the head of a Bees’ defender and was turned into the net.

Jess Burke prevented the visitors from adding a third in the 57th minute as she got down and blocked a shot out for a corner. Soon after, Hazelton was called into action and leapt on a dangerous through ball that almost reached Denny’s path.

The visitors extended their lead in the 61st minute when Naomi Cole headed in from a corner at the back post.

Only five minutes later they scored their 5th, making it 1-5 in the 66th minute as Gibson headed in from a corner.

In the 85th minute, Coote sent in a cross from the left-hand side but it was caught by their ‘keeper. 

In the first minute of injury time Hazelton made a fine save, flicking the ball over the bar to deny the Wasps their sixth, however despite her best efforts, the Bees fell to defeat at home for the first time this season.

Bees: Faye Hazelton, Jess Burke, Sarah Reid (Amber Tullett 83’), Danielle Puddefoot (Stef Paci 70’), Frankie Webster, Flo Gamby ©, Courtnay Ward-Chambers, Parker Dunn, Hannah Coote (Alketa Rragami 88’), Lauren Heria (Sabiha Jamal 88’), Millie Constantine. Subs (not used): Nikki Jancey.

Goals: Gamby (23’).

Crawley: Megen Lynch, Hope Nash, Ellie Russell, Sokhara Goodall, Rachel Palmer (Holly Talbut-Smith 74’), Nicola Gibson (Izzie Burt 74’), Naomi Cole, Emma Plewa (Flo Jackson 68’), Tash Stephens, Nyara Denny (Iesha Swaby 68’), Charlotte Owen (Jodie Burchell 63’).

Goals: Owen (9’), Plewa (38’), Burke OG (48’), Cole (61’), Gibson (66’).

Referee: Peter Georgiou.