Brentford Women 5 Saltdean United 4 | OneFootball

It took until the final minute of extra-time, but Brentford Women booked their place in the next round of the League Cup with a 5-4 win over Saltdean United on Sunday afternoon.

Paula Holguin’s first-half goal ensured the teams were even at 1-1 at half-time, before a goalfest followed in the second half and extra-time. Nikki Woods, Holguin, and Kirsty Matthews each scored to make it 4-4, with Woods then striking in the final minute of extra-time to win it for Karleigh Osborne’s side.

Osborne made multiple changes to the side that beat Comets 8-1 last time out in the Capital Cup, with Alissa Down, Nour Aboul Kheir, Sophie Troth, Habeebat Gbajabiamila, Matthews, Ella Cottrell and Lucy Potter all coming into the starting XI to face the tier-five side.

The Bees started the better of the two teams, Brentford maintaining possession and looking a threat going forward.

On six minutes, Holguin found herself on the counter attack and played through to Gbajabiamila down the right side. Despite some pressure from her defender, Gbajabiamila had a good look at goal, however Saltdean goalkeeper Faye Baker came forward and made a strong save.

Three minutes laterm it was Matthews who came close to finding an opener. Down played the ball to Gbajabiamila up front, who immediately passed to Troth, the midfielder crossing it to Matthews on the left who fired at goal, the shot cannoning off the post.

Holguin was at it again on 12 minutes. After passing to Troth, Holguin received the ball back as she streamed forward, however her shot was saved by Baker.

Despite Brentford’s dominance, it was Saltdean who opened the scoring, a loose pass on the edge of the Bees’ box finding its way to Leila Emmerson who fired the ball into the back of the net.

The visitors enjoyed a stretch of momentum as they began to keep the ball for longer periods.

As the clock neared 30 minutes, it was Holguin again posing a threat. From a Carolin Engelhard cross, Holguin took a touch as she found herself in space in the box, taking no time to fire it into the back of the net to equalise.

Chances were few and far between as the first half neared an end, however the final moments saw both sides miss opportunities on goal.

Caitlin Sullivan found herself in space in the box and had an open goal, however put the ball over the bar. Soon after, it was Matthews’ turn down the left, the winger taking a touch to her right and firing goalwards, Baker doing a good job to dive to her left and keep the ball out of the bottom right corner.

The Bees came out strong to start the second 45 minutes, Aboul Kheir wasting no time in getting a shot on target as she launched a long-range strike five minutes into the half, however it was kept out by Baker.

Sullivan made a strong run into the box on 56 minutes with Matthews in pursuit, the winger making a strong tackle as Brentford goalkeeper Sophie Boycott came forward to ensure a shot couldn’t be fired.

Following Aboul Kheir’s lead, Engelhard was next to launch a long-range shot, the defender whipping the ball at goal with speed and Baker doing a good job to keep it in front of her and secure the ball.

Sullivan was proving a handful down the right side as Saltdean looked for a second goal. She fired goalwards on 72 minutes, however Boycott did well to palm it onto the post.

Five minutes later, Brentford got their reward as Gbajabiamila was taken down inside the box and awarded a penalty. Woods stepped up to the spot and made no mistake to give the hosts the lead.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Maddie Phillips launched goalwards from distance, however the shot was kept out by Baker. Minutes later, Sullivan found an equaliser for Saltdean from the edge of the box.

Deep into stoppage-time, both sides were hunting a winner, the visitors coming the closest through Filippa Millquist whose shot was saved by the outstretched foot of Boycott to send the game to extra-time.

As they had done out of the half-time break, Brentford wasted little time going on the attack in extra-time. Mollie Holmes’ slick through ball freed Holguin up on 93 minutes, the forward making no mistake to give the Bees the lead with her second goal of the day.

The euphoria was short-lived, however, as an own goal gave Saltdean an equaliser six minutes later.

The game continued at a frenetic pace with both teams going close to finding a fourth goal. Brentford moved ahead again in the second half of extra-time, with Matthews taking a touch and firing at goal from the edge of the box.

That lead was also short-lived, as Sullivan crossed to Millquist at the back post who tipped the ball in from close range to equalise on 111 minutes.

Saltdean seemed destined to claim the win when they were awarded a penalty following a clash in the box between Boycott and Sullivan. Georgia Bridges stepped up to take the spot-kick, however, she hit the bar before Brentford cleared.

In the game’s final moments, it was Woods who would take her chance to be the match-winner, the winger running down the left side before cutting inside and finally deciding the tie.

Brentford Women: Boycott, Graver (Read 77), Down (Holmes 73), Engelhard (Phillips 73), Aboul Kheir, Troth (Reid 77), Gbajabiamila (Holguin 90), Matthews, Holguin (Woods 66), Cottrell (Engelhard 90), Potter (Graver 114)

Saltdean United: Baker, Tucker, Howell, McIntyre, Creese, Boswell, McEvaddy, Bridges, Malis, Emmerson, Hill

Subs: Sullivan, Millquist, Barton, Tsaftardoo

Squad depth on show in League Cup win

Brentford Women head coach Karleigh Osborne was thrilled with his side's efforts after they secured a 5-4 win over tier-five side Saltdean United.

A new-look starting line-up took to the pitch in the win, highlighting the depth available in this season's squad.