Brent’s superb run of form continued with an emphatic win at home to Broomwood at Capital City in The Capital Girls’ League Division 1. The Lionesses have ended their first season in the top flight with an eight match unbeaten run.
Winning Division 2 and getting promoted was a huge achievement last season. It took a few games to get used to the more physical higher division but after doing that Brent have had arguably the best run in in the league and finished in joint third place. The progress of the team over the course of the season was clear for all to see as the team put on their best performance of the campaign.
Brent overcame Broomwood 2-1 in the corresponding away fixture so this was always going to be a tight match and it did not disappoint. Brent went on the attack straight from the first whistle. They found their rhythm and their passing was calm, controlled and a delight to watch. When Broomwood tried to attack, Brent’s formidable defense of Sophie Kew, Olivia Macarthur , Maddie Muir and Keely Dibley-Dias not only kept them at bay but also passed through their press. Dibley-Dias and Muir combined in defense to start the move that created the first goal, playing across the back to find Laiba Mir in midfield. Her neat pass released Apollonia Margetson. Margetson found Chloe O’Donoghue who cut in from the left and unleased a shot so powerful the impressive Broomwood keeper could only watch as it rocketed into the far corner of the net.
Brent skipper Alisa Omeragic then surged forward and passed to Brooke Dyke who shot narrowly wide. Brent’s eye-catching flying winger, Giuseppina Carnevale caused Broomwood all sorts of problems on the left wing. She tormented her marker and fired agonisingly inches wide on two occasions but for all their dominance Brent could not add to the score.
At half time Brent introduced Brianna John-Etiko, Scout Waddington and Maya Rosenberg to freshen up the attack. They all played a part in Brent’s second goal, which was a superb team effort.
Kew made a slick pass to Carnevale who in turn found Rosenberg who made an inch perfect pass to Brianna John-Etiko. Waddington darted to the left taking one defender with her and a causing a second to hesitate for a split second and John- Etiko raced through the gap before blasting the ball into the net, as pictured above.
Brent piled on the pressure and Gracious Olamona sprinted through the defense but fired just past the post. Broomwood showed spirit and counter attacked down the right wing to send in a superb cross but despite being surrounded Brent’s goalkeeper Sara Khene leapt to catch the ball ending any chance for the visitors to make a comeback.
The match finished with Brent in complete control, passing superbly to see the game out.
Brent coach Chris Ampofo said: “The whole team have been magnificent all season. They have worked for each other unselfishly all season and I am delighted they have been rewarded with such a brilliant run of results. They are a credit to the borough of Brent and fully deserve it”.