Game details
Match: London Bees v Aston Villa Women
Competition: FA Women’s Championship
Date: Sunday 1st December 2019
Venue: The Hive
Scoring summary
Pickett 44
West 24, Follis 74
Line-up
Rogers, Haigh, N’Dow, Ale, Ewers, Hutton, Syme, Follis, West, Haywood, Hanssen (Johnson). Unused subs: Kosinska, Richards, Warner, Welsh.
Story in brief
A sublime free-kick from Emma Follis won a close contest and kept Villa top of the FA Women’s Championship.
Amy West was afforded the freedom of The Hive as she ghosted in unmarked at the back post to tap in a free-kick to open the scoring.
And despite going close to extending their lead through Jodie Hutton and Sophie Haywood, the sides went in level when Lauren Pickett beat Sian Rogers.
Chances came and went for Villa as they dominated the second half before the match winning moment finally arrived on 74 minutes.
Follis was all of 30 yards out when she struck a free-kick, sending the ball flying into the top corner to snatch all three points.
Free-kick queen
Emma Follis has made a name for herself as a free-kick specialist this season, with three of her four goals coming from set pieces.
And her latest strike is the pick of the bunch, bringing everyone in the ground to their feet.
The winger looked to be too far out to go for goal, but a powerful, dipping effort was destined for the back of the net as soon as she struck it.
Away day delight
Aston Villa Women have been on fire away from home in the league so far this season.
The team have won all five away games, scoring 18 goals in the process.
Their fine form on the road has helped to keep them top of the table heading into their final two league games of 2019 – which are both at home.
Table toppers
Gemma Davies’ team are the only side yet to taste defeat in the Championship.
And with nine games played, Villa hold a three-point lead ahead of their closest challengers Sheffield United.
The Blades kept up their impressive form with a 2-1 win of their own yesterday and the Women know they need to maintain their relentless pace at the top as the close out the year.
What’s next?
Aston Villa Women have three home matches in the space of eight days to finish off 2019.
Two league games (Leicester City and London City Lionesses) and one in the League Cup (Blackburn Rovers) take place at Boldmere St Michaels FC. Tickets are available to buy here.