London Bees 0 Durham Women 4

By Tom Van Klaveren

Jess Havelock couldn’t hide her delight after her debut goal completed the scoring in Durham’s comprehensive FA WSL 2 victory over London Bees at The Hive.

Beth Hepple’s two goals in two first-half minutes set the visitors on their way, before Durham’s top scorer Amelia Pereira and Havelock ensured a comfortable four-goal margin.

And Havelock hopes there is more to come, after getting her first taste of WSL 2 action since signing from Newcastle earlier in the week.

“I am buzzing to have made the step up to this level,” she said. “I was a bit nervous before the match with the higher expectations and getting put straight in, but once I got settled it was good quality football.

“I really wasn’t expecting to start. I have only trained with the rest of the girls three times since I joined and it was amazing that the manager had the faith in me to give me this opportunity.

“I am delighted to score on my debut, especially considering it was on my weaker right foot.

“I don’t really score many goals normally, I scored a few for Newcastle but it’s not really a major part of my game.”

The visitors took a 14th minute lead when Jordan Atkinson’s lay-off allowed Hepple to strike low into the bottom corner.

Durham went further ahead two minutes later, when a corner was well recycled by centre-back Julie Nelson allowing Hepple to score her second from three yards out.

Pereira curled in a brilliant 25-yard effort for her fourth goal in four games after half-time, and Havelock made it 4-0 with 13 minutes remaining with a deflected half-volley.

London Bees are still looking for their first victory of the season, and manager Julian Broomes admits he needs to lift his players mentally if they are to improve.

He said: “The main problem today was that negativity crept into the team. They all want to win so much we end up trying to play a style of football that maybe doesn’t suit the team.

“The girls are just not expressing themselves enough. There is a lack of willingness to get on the ball as they don’t want to make mistakes, and that in itself is leading to mistakes.

“When we concede that negativity creeps in, people start pointing the finger and our heads begin to drop, and from there it is very hard to lift the girls.

“We will just have to take one game at a time and try and refocus. The girls are committed, I am committed, and we will just have to keep on working hard.”

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