Top-corner finishes in either half from Bianca Baptiste and Poppy Wilson made the difference in a convincing 2-0 win over London Bees at Grosvenor Vale.

Baptiste netted her first goal in a month seven minutes before half-time after a cagey start in Ruislip, with Wilson converting at the end of the second-half to notch a 12th goal in 2022/23.

The visitors went down to 10 players for the final half-hour, with ex-Golden Girl Shauna Vassell given her marching orders for two yellow cards, as the Hornets saw out a seventh consecutive win.

The Golden Girls have silverware in their sights next weekend, taking on Northern Division rivals Nottingham Forest at the Pirelli Stadium in the final of the FAWNL Cup [Sunday April 23, 3.30pm].

The first half-hour went by with barely a half-chance in Ruislip, but London Bees were on the front foot and pressed the Hornets with intensity. It seemed Dré Georgiou would be the only one to have a shot on goal in the first 45, making an audacious attempt from 35 yards out that was collected comfortably by Marie Hourihan.

Baptiste had been the bright spark in an otherwise flat start, causing former Hornet Ryah Vyse trouble on the right-flank. Lacking options for a pass on 38 minutes Baptiste went alone, skipping infield before lashing a left-footed strike into the top corner for her first goal since March 12 against Gillingham.

Bringing on Gemma Davison for defender Nicola Gibson in an attempt to increase the tempo after the break, Damon Lathrope’s side fashioned chances aplenty in the early knockings of the second half. Davison sliced a volley just over, Sophie McLean had an effort go off-target and Bees’ Bolu Fisher threatened at the other end. The winger suffered a serious injury seconds later, and was stretchered off.

Araya Dennis and Helen Ward entered the fray with 20 minutes to go and the former rattled the upright with a dangerous effort. Dennis was a handful for the Bees defence on the counter, and a foul on the 17-year-old from Vassell resulted in the forward receiving a second yellow card.

Wilson doubled the advantage four minutes from time, regaining possession after Vyse intercepted Baptiste’s pass, firing past Hourihan with a wicked strike.

At the other end Jacqui Goldsmid’s clean sheet was at risk, but the goalkeeper made two fine saves to maintain a two-goal deficit.

The victory provides momentum going into next weekend’s FAWNL Cup final against Nottingham Forest, taking place at the home of Burton Albion.