Page 13 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.36 2021-22

Kasey’s double has Bees buzzing

Brentford B 2 Islington Borough 0
The second part of GLWFL Finals Day was the climax of a special competition held to celebrate the
50 years during which the organisation has provided grassroots female league football in Greater
London. Called the Anniversary Cup, the final pitted Premier Division Islington Borough against
Division One North Brentford B. who upset the hierarchy with a fine 2-0 win through a pair of long
range spectacular strikes from Kasey Clifford.
The first half was an even battle between two strong well organised teams. After a bright start
by Islington which kept Bees keeper Emily Boycott busy it was Brentford who looked the more
threatening with wing back Lillie Elsbury putting in some good crosses. However, despite the best
efforts of all on a warm afternoon there was just one clear cut chance in a tight half, Brentford's
Chloe Logie shooting just wide when through on goal on 31 minutes.
Brentford B started to create more openings on Oneyinye Nkemdirim's goal as the second
period developed, with Borough's own attack well marshalled for the most part. It took a real
beauty of a shot however to break the deadlock on 68 minutes. There seemed little danger when
Clifford got on the ball some 25 yards out but her shot was high, powerful and directed right in the
corner.
A free kick on 81 minutes offered similar possibilities and Clifford provided another power
shot well out of Nkemdirim's reach. Eleonora Cottrell nearly added a third for a confident
Brentford before Islington almost pulled a late goal back via a free kick which flew just wide of
Boycott's goal but the final victory was deserved for a Bees outfit who defended so well that
Islington offered little threat apart from in the opening and closing moments.
Brentford B finished fourth in Division One North but Islington Borough were an excellent
second behind Bromley in the Premier Division, which gives an idea of the exploits completed by
the Bees to lift the Anniversary Cup.
Brentford B: Emily Boycott, Regan Graver, Lillie Elsbury, Chloe Webb, Cara Graham, Karen
Abou-Abdallah, Kasey Clifford, Chloe Kaur Bopari, Calli Weaver, Eleonora Cottrell, Chloe Logie.
Subs: Cheyenne Faulkner, Rabia Azam, Charlotte Halpin, Carol Checkley, Sophie Boycott.
Islington Borough: Onyinye Nkemdirim, Merley Morgan, Mia Fadeni, Naomi Hunter, Carrie
Anne Leyton, Ornella Mbula, Deanna Brunyee, Sasha Lewin, Charlee Vaz, Olivia Austin, Abby
Webster. Subs: Jennika Kelly, Nicole Grainger, Cleo
Williams, Zoe Smythe, Sarah Cleary. Report by Patrick Higgins

Issue no. 36 - 26 May 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk