05/5/09

Lewes Ladies FC can look back on 2008/2009 as the most successful campaign in their history.

The Sussex Cup was won with a first ever victory over rivals Brighton and Hove Albion; a 4th round FA Cup appearance against Derby was the best showing of any Lewes team in the competition; the South East Combination League Cup Winners Trophy secured against title contenders Enfield; and fourth place in the League, an improvement on last season’s fifth. 

Victory in the Sussex Cup over arch rivals Albion was undoubtedly the high point though not entirely unexpected. Back at the beginning of the season, Lewes manager Jacquie Agnew placed it firmly on her wish list, confident that, for the first time, she had a squad capable of lifting the trophy. 

Three hundred spectators watched a hard-fought final low on goals but high on drama, starting in just the 5th minute when Emma Millington’s long range effort gave Lewes a dream start. Albion eventually found an equaliser in the 67th minute but extra time proved goalless to send the game to penalties. It fell to Ria Rottner, a former Albion player, to score the winning penalty for Lewes in a 4-2 victory.

Number two on Agnew’s wish list was a successful FA Cup run, having seen her side fall at the 2nd round for the last two seasons. With qualifying rounds served in the league below, Lewes entered at the 1st round proper and cruised through fixtures against Tower Hamlets and Bedford with 15 goals scored and none conceded.

Chesham United proved much tougher in the 3rd round but Lewes prevailed in a penalty shootout after extra time finished 3-3. Another 3-3 finish against Derby County in the 4th round had the opposite outcome as Lewes were defeated 4-3 on penalties, but they took heart from an accomplished performance against a side on the verge of taking the Midlands Combination league title.

Thirdly, Agnew demanded a top four league finish. The team got off to a flyer at the beginning of the season with seven wins from eight. Lewes now in their second season playing Combination football notched up a credible W9 D4 L4 overall record, scoring (49) goals in the process and with a win against Cambridge on the 10th will finish a credible fourth in the league.

Agnew is both realistic and optimistic. “We have taken points off all of the other top five teams," she said, "so we don’t fear anyone in this league." However she admits that tiredness and injuries have taken their toll but knows that it’s no excuse.  "We can’t blame injuries though we’ve had chances to win games but have been wasteful in front of goal. However the team have adapted well to different formations and have learnt a great deal which we can build on going forward."

Finally, Agnew wanted to go one better in the South East Combination League Cup than last season’s runners up medal. After a highly competitive semi final win against Welwyn Garden City after extra time they faced League contenders Enfield.  A tightly fought game and another long range effort from Emma Millington gave Lewes the one nil victory and their second trophy of the season. Agnew was full of praise for her players and their spirit, especially given injuries to key players such as their top goal scorer Claire Trafford, and centre half Lel Smith.

Agnew expects to bring in some new players for next season to give the strength in depth that is required to compete at a higher level. ‘Lewes FC is a great club to be part of. The Board of Directors are very supportive of the Ladies section which is refreshing and we are an integral part of the Clubs infrastructure.’

Agnew is in her 7th season and has overseen three promotions and three cup winners’ trophies. She knows it gets progressively harder to raise the benchmark but has high hopes for the Ladies squad next season.