Beth Hepple’s first-half strike proved the difference as Durham extended their unbeaten start to the 2018/19 FA Women’s Championship season to six games with a 1-0 victory at London Bees.

The home side dominated possession in the opening stages, but Durham broke the deadlock after 19 minutes when Bees goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill failed to hold onto Zoe Ness’ shot and Hepple buried the rebound.

Durham looked the livelier and sharper of the two sides, but despite offering sequences of fast counter-attacking football, they were unable to produce another shot on target in the first half.

Bees nearly found the equaliser just before the break when Ruseha Littlejohn’s superbly-timed pass put Connie Forman through one-on-one, but Durham goalkeeper Hannah Reid got down well to deny the winger.

A more-even second half saw the Bees hungry to find an equaliser, with Durham’s Becky Salicki making a fine sliding interception to halt a dangerous-looking early attack from the home side.

The first real chance of the second half fell to Emma Beckett, who forced Reid into a diving save from her free-kick on the edge of Durham’s box.

Durham thought they had scored a second in the 60th minute but Ness’ goal was disallowed for offside, while the visitors came agonisingly close again just seconds later when Emily Roberts saw her fizzing effort rattle off the upright.

Shaky defending from the Bees presented Durham with further chances, but Quantrill read their moves well to deny substitute Nicki Gears and keep the home side in the game.

The Bees pushed forward in numbers as the match drew to a close, but the visitors managed to hold on to deservedly take the points back to the North East.

Hepple said: “If I’m honest, I think we really deserved the three points.

“They probably had more possession than us, but it is what you do with the ball that matters.

“I thought we created better chances, especially in the second half. We were unlucky not to score more. The keeper made some brilliant saves. It could have easily been two or three for us.

“We’re delighted to keep another clean sheet.

“I’m thrilled to get on the scoresheet, I was frustrated last week after missing a few chances and we’ve been working hard in training this week going forward so it is good to see that pay off.

“That being said, I don’t think our defenders get the credit they deserve. They have been key in maintaining our unbeaten start this season.

“It’s a massive three points for us. The win takes us into the top four with a game in hand. We’ve had a fantastic start to the season.”

Durham (4-4-2): Hannah Reid, Sarah Wilson, Sarah Robson, Beth Hepple, Zoe Ness, Becky Salicki, Ellie Christon, Emily Roberts, Abi Cottam, Abby Holmes, Rachel Lee

Subs: Caroline Dixon for Lee 45, Nicki Gears for Cottam 59

Subs not used: Megan Borthwick, Chloe Knott

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