Coventry Preview: Sunday 20th May Away. – Lewes Community Football Club

Coventry Preview: Sunday 20th May Away.


Coventry Preview: Sunday 20th May Away.

Women's football news

Extended interview with Lewes manager John Donoghue

 

Lewes
travel to Coventry United LFC this Sunday for the last fixture in this FA WPL
season. @Rookmeister Ash Head caught up with first team boss John Donoghue, who
looked forward to the match and reflected on a hugely important season for his
team and the club.

 

“Sunday
is going to be a challenging game. Coventry are always a strong team, the games
they have played recently, albeit it on paper a tough ask to play so many in a
short space of time, were all at home and against teams lower in the league. Coventry
took the chance to use a variety of players and will come into the game fresh and
raring to go on Sunday.”

 

Lewes have
faced a number of challenges this season, not least the intake of a lot of new
players early in the season and right royal fixtures rollercoaster.

“I am
extremely disappointed that we‘ve had to play another week in an already
elongated season. We offered to fulfil fixtures on several occasions to help
with congestion, but without success. We must try and avoid this in the future.

 

We have
prepared this week as always, focussing on what we’ll do on Sunday, preparing
for a big game. The players are fit and strong and will work their socks off.“

 

“This
season has been challenging at times as we brought new players into the squad.
Working to make the team gel was the main aim. They’ve achieved this tremendously
well. After a heavy loss on the opening day (to Champions Charlton) the team went
on an 8-match unbeaten run. Even after a couple of low key performances the
team showed great strength of character to come back. 

 

Not a
great start, then, to what has turned into a record-smashing season for
Donoghue’s side.

 

‘We’ve surpassed
our best-ever points total, achieved our highest finish in the Premier League
and been on two excellent cup runs (SSE Women’s FA Cup last 16 and semi-final
of the WP League Cup) and winning the Sussex FA County Cup.

For a team that has evolved during the season to fight on so many fronts has
been remarkable. The support Staff of Adam, Radd, Becky, Debbie and, joining us
lately, Kelly and Charlie, has helped push the team forward. They all deserve
great credit.” 

 

Of
course, Equality FC and the summer announcement of budget parity with their
(promotion-winning) men’s team has been big news. It’s also shone a spotlight
on the team and how they perform.

 

“The club
has started on a journey that sets an example for others to follow. It’s
heartening to see the reaction of National sides such as Norway and New Zealand
seeking parity for their women’s teams.”

 

Donoghue
was keen to repeat something he often refers to in his match program notes; the
role of volunteers at the cub, and the keen involvement and support of the
club’s hands-on directors.

 

“The
support of the volunteers is imperative as we progress. This can only mean continued
success across the whole club. The determination of the directors is clear and
will drive us on to even greater success in the future.”