The hosts had the first big chance on 11 minutes as Ali Johnson broke into the area, her shot was excellently tipped onto the crossbar by Quantrill.

The Blades started in the ascendency but it was the Bees who almost took the lead on 18 minutes, as Lauren Pickett rushed through on goal but was denied by the on-rushing Fran Kitching in the Blades goal.

Lee Burch’s side improved as the half went on in Chesterfield and restricted the hosts to no more than half-chances as the half-hour mark approached.

There was controversy just three minutes before the break as the hosts opened the scoring, Mel Johnson poked the ball past Quantrill, however as the ball trickled in via the inside of the post, there looked to be a clear obstruction as our keeper was stopped from attempting to claw the ball out. However, the goal was awarded to the bemusement of the Bees players.

The hosts flew out of the traps at the start of the second half and added a second goal as Johnson was there again to finish off a swift Blades breakaway.

The Blades were ruthless in the extreme as they found a third goal five minutes later as former Bee Katie Wilkinson got on the end of a cross to slot home.

Just as the Bees found their footing in the match and tried their best to work themselves back into the game, the hosts punished us again as Wilkinson added her second of the match.

Burch’s side never gave up but the full time hosts continued to show their quality in both defence and attack, stifling the Bees to half chances.

The Bees will have to pick themselves up and go again next Sunday when they face a home London derby against Crystal Palace at The Hive London.