Bees Go Top as Gills are Hit for Six

Barnet FC Ladies 6 - Gillingham LFC 1

South East Combination League

Sunday 11th September 2005

at Hanwell Town FC

Barnet FC Ladies recorded their fourth win in as many matches to go two points clear at the top of the South East Combination League Table.The Bees had a purple patch from Stacey Sowden to thank for a 6-1 victory over Gillingham.The prolific striker scored four times in a seven-minute second half spell to put the match beyond the reach of the visitors from Kent.

The first half was an even affair with both sides having opportunities to break the deadlock.After only six minutes, Stacey Sowden was first to Davina Smith's long clearance, she lobbed the advancing Gillingham goalkeeper only to see her goal-bound effort cleared off the line.Minutes later Beth Curtis had a 35-yard free-kick tipped over the cross-bar.

Gillingham too had their chances.After 12 minutes, Gina Payne seized on indecision in the Barnet defence, but could only shoot wide.Soon afterwards, Sarah Kelly had an effort on goal that went just over the cross-bar, whilst Payne forced Jess Devoti into a full length save after she had embarrassed the Bees' defence with her pace.

The visitors' brief flurry appeared to spur Barnet into greater effectiveness.Curtis and Sowden rediscovered some of the understanding that has been a feature of their prolific partnership.After 24 minutes, the pair combined to set up Sowden who saw her shot well saved by Alison Smith in the Gillingham goal.

Barnet finally took the lead a minute later.Emma Treanor's short pass found Curtis on the edge of the penalty area and the Barnet forward slalomed her way through the Gillingham defence and released a shot that went into the goal of the foot of the post.The goal kept up Curtis' record of having scored in every match so far this season.

The Bees' could have doubled their lead on the half-hour mark.Sowden produced a shot on the run, which crashed against the frame of the Gillingham goal at the junction of post and crossbar.However, no Barnet player was on hand to convert the rebound.

Barnet began the second period in strangely hesitant mood.The Bees' forwards were constantly caught off side, whilst the midfield seemed incapable of stringing two passes together.The exception was player of the match Katie O'Donoghue who took the game by the scruff of the neck and produced some probing runs down the left hand side, which were a constant threat to Gillingham.

Given Barnet's lack of fluency it was no surprise when Gillingham equalised after 59 minutes.The Bees' defence failed to deal with a cross and Anna Broad was on hand at the far post to tuck the chance away.

The goal finally stung the Bees into greater urgency.Danielle Richards replaced the injured Charlotte Herson in midfield and Stacey Sowden embarked on a devastating goalscoring spree that put the result beyond any doubt.

After 68 minutes, Sowden met Beth Curtis' cross with a clinical finish to give the Bees a 2-1 lead.Two minutes later, Sowden saw her stinging effort brilliantly saved, having collected another slide rule pass from Curtis.However, Sowden netted the rebound from an acute angle.Sowden completed her hat-trick after 73 minutes, after Richards' probing ball from midfield released the forward for yet another one on one with the keeper, which she duly converted.Sowden completed the trick two minutes later with an almost identical goal to make it 5-1. It was Sowden's fourth goal of the match, her eighth of the season and the 49^th career goal in only her 21^st Barnet First Team appearance.

Young Scottish striker Holly Dawson was introduced as a substitute for her Barnet debut, alongside Kerry O'Connor.In the closing minutes, it was Dawson who was on hand for Barnet's sixth goal to complete the scoring.Hayley Johnson broke down the right hand side and her cross found Beth Curtis whose shot was saved but allowed Dawson to follow up with a debut goal.

Barnet Team: Jess Devoti, Davina Smith, Cerrie Byrne, Hannah Grover, Katie Wicka, Charlotte Herson, Hayley Johnson, Emma Treanor, Stacey Sowden, Beth Curtis, Katie O'Donoghue.

Substitutes: Danielle Richards (for Charlotte Herson 65 mins), Holly Dawson (for Cerrie Byrne 75 mins), Kerry O'Connor (for Stacey Sowden 79 mins).

Goalscorers: Beth Curtis (25 mins), Stacey Sowden (68, 70, 73 and 75 mins), Holly Dawson (89 mins).

This Sunday (18^th September) Barnet Ladies make the short trip to Dagenham & Redbridge FC for a South East Combination League fixture.The match at Victoria Road, kicks off at 2.00pm.