The ladies lost in the first round of the Women's FA Cup in a close 4-3 defeat to Southampton Women who play two tiers above The Bees in the National League.

After being postponed twice due to weather conditions, Brentford hosted the Southampton at Bedfont Sports Club to face the eight time winners of the competition.

Within the opening 35 minutes of the game, the visitors led 3-0 thanks to a Megan Wood hat-trick, but The Bees stung back with goals from Kirsty Matthews and a double from ace Nikki Woods - one of which was a screamer to level things up.

However, Southampton Womens spoiled Brentford's evening with a late extra-time goal from substitute Leah Etheridge to secure the visitors spot in the second round of the FA Cup.

In the opening five minutes, Brentford finding themselves 1-0 down as Megan Wood struck it from distance out of Evie Witek's reach.

Brentford still in it and looking the more dangerous side in attack, had two great chances to level the scoreline at the 20-minute mark but failed to do so.

The first chance came when Freya Worsley played a great pass to Chole Logie, who drove with the ball towards the Southampton box before letting off a powerful shot, which was well saved by Grace Jenman.

The following corner saw Woods deliver a great ball into the box, finding Matthews at the far post. However, the forward could only turn her effort over the bar.

The visitors managed to double their lead against the run of play, and it was Wood who struck again from a distance. This time, her shot found the bottom right corner.

Brentford Women played fantastic football at times, but failed to put the ball in the back of the net when their chances came.

Southampton made it three on 35 minutes when the referee awarded the away side a penalty after the ball knocked off Regan Graver's hand inside the box.

Witek saved the initial penalty for the Bees, but the referee ordered a retake due to players entering the area before the kick was taken.

Wood scored her hat-trick the second time of asking, slotting the ball into the bottom right corner.

Brentford continued to push forward and were rewarded for their hard work four minutes before the break when Worsley found Woods with a great pass.

The forward ran into the box before slotting the ball into the near post, giving the Bees confidence ahead of the second half.

The hosts began the second half with urgency and got another goal back just eight minutes after the break when Matthews rose highest to head home from a Woods corner.

With momentum shifting to Brentford, Southampton struggled to play out of their half and contain Woods, who had the better of the opposition's full-back.

Eventually Woods completed the comeback 55 minutes into the game when the winger drove inside from the left and fired it past Jenman from 25 yards out.

Worsley displayed an outstanding performance in the midfield for the Bees, propelling the home side forward at every opportunity.

On the 76th minute, Brentford believed they had taken the lead when another corner from Woods caused problems for the Southampton defense.

This time, the ball reached Cara Graham, whose header narrowly missed the target, with the game later progressing into extra time.

Extra time saw a display of weary legs, with both sides struggling to generate genuine scoring opportunities as a penalty shootout lingered over Bedfont Sports Club.

However, Leah Etheridge taps it in for Southampton in the 115th minute sending the visitors to the second round of the FA Cup.

Squads:

Brentford Women: Witek, Graver (Webb, 94), Graham, Holmes (Aboul Kheir, 72), Logie (Bolitho, 97'), Troth (Wardlaw, 62'), Woods, Matthews, Worsley, Read, Ferns

Subs not used: Mirjan, Cottrell, Arquette

Southampton Women: Jenman, Vokes, Whitlock, Tucker, Wood, Sievwright, Jeal, Chaffe, Wellesley-Davies, Thorogood, Knight

Subs: Luce, Etheridge, Coousens, Ball, Payne

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