The Bees suffered defeat in their final match of 2021 – losing 2-0 at Portsmouth in the FA Women’s National League.

 

The hosts had the first chance of the afternoon when Rosie McDonnell dispossessed Sophie Lee on the edge of the box before she slipped Tamsin de Bunsen through. 

 

She took the ball under control and looped her shot just past the far corner.

 

Jay Sadler’s side took the lead in the 9th minute when de Bunsen’s corner caused trouble for Faye Hazelton who fumbled the ball, leaving Jaime Gotch to nod the ball in from close-range.

 

The Bees went close to levelling shortly after as Parker Dunn was fouled 25-yards from goal. 

 

Jo Wilson stood over the free-kick and bent it towards the top corner to force Hannah Haughton into a comfortable save.

 

Just after the restart, the hosts extended their lead after Hannah Porter brought down Shannon Albuery on the edge of the penalty area.

 

Ava Rowbotham stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner, beyond Hazelton’s reach.

 

Gotch looked to bag her second of the afternoon in the 61st minute when the ball came to her from 20-yards out. 

 

Her sweeping strike was saved by Hazelton who looked to mount a quick count-attack, but nothing came of it.

 

The Bees almost pulled one back shortly after as Jo Wilson was played through on goal.

 

Wilson used strength to hold off her defender and shoot towards the far corner to force Haughton to tip the ball around the post.

 

Pompey had a clear opportunity to put the game out of sight when de Bunsen found Albuery at the back-post with a cross from wide position, and she put her free header over the crossbar.

 

Sian Osmond’s side responded with a chance of their own when Wilson’s deep free-kick into the centre was nodded on by Megan Wood. 

 

Lauren Heria reacted and got to the ball first but had it smothered seconds later by Haughton.

 

In the 73rd minute Hazelton was called into action again when substitute Jade Widdows found space on the edge. 

 

The Bees’ No. 1 raced off her line to close down the angle and made a reaction save.

 

With the game coming to a close, Danielle Rowe found the run of McDonnell with a cross towards the far post, but she put her bouncing header narrowly past the post and left her side to settle for a 2-0 win at Westleigh Park.

 

Portsmouth: Hannah Haughton, Danielle Rowe ©, Rebekah Tonks, Evie Gane, Sammy Quayle (Hayley Bridge 67’), Ava Rowbotham, Jaime Gotch, Freya Jones (Jade Widdows 63’), Rosie McDonnell, Shannon Albuery, Tamsin De Bunsen. Subs (not used): Libby Kingshott, Tarran Williams, Lucienne Selvester.

 

Goals: Gotch (9’), Rowbotham (49’).

 

Bees: Faye Hazelton, Jess Burke (Nikki Jancey 63’), Hannah Porter, Flo Gamby, Parker Dunn, Lauren Heria, Millie Constantine (Frankie Webster 77’), Sophie Lee, Megan Wood (Stef Paci 86’), Jade Bell, Jo Wilson (Alketa Rragami 90+3’). Subs (not used): Amber Tullett.

 

Attendance: 146.