Barnet FC Ladies progressed to the 4th Round of The FA Women's Cup after negotiating a tricky 3rd Round tie away at Gillingham on Sunday. The Bees defeated the ambitious Kent side 4-1 with Katie O'Leary and Gemma Rudman each scoring twice.

Barnet took the lead after 27 minutes after O'Leary scored from the edge of the box. Five minutes from half time Barnet were awarded a penalty kick after Stacey Sowden was bundled over. Gemma Rudman stepped up to coolly convert the spot kick. A minute later and the Bees' lead had been extended to 3-0, when O'Leary headed home Sowden's cross.

The Bees were awarded a second penalty after 70 minutes, again converted by Rudman, this time after O'Leary had been tripped in the area. Gillingham scored a consolation goal two minutes later, but it was the Bees who progressed to the Fourth Round, which will be played on Sunday 10 January next year..

The 4th Round draw will take place at Wembley Stadium today.

John Taylor