Women's football news
Written by: Charlie
Lewes 2-0 Charlton Athletic
FA Women’s Championship
Sunday 17th October
Sunday afternoon and the sun found its way to the Dripping Pan, with Lewes v Charlton the only fixture across both the WSL and FA Women’s Championship. Fans were not disappointed as both teams battled for the points in a game in one of the most competitive leagues around this season.
Though it was Charlton who initially drove forward with possession in the opening 10 minutes, for the most part both teams cancelled each out, until midway through the first half when Lewes began to take control, pressing high and on the front foot, with Ini Umotong’s shot met by Charlton keeper Eartha Cummings and the rebound shot sent wide by Howells.
Charlton’s Emma Follis had the best chance to get the Addicks scoring off the ground but the Rooks held tight at the back and it was the other end of the pitch where the action began to flow. An energised Paula Howells took advantage of a Charlton mistake and her intent was clear as she fired home the shot from outside the 18yd box in the 38th minute. Goal Lewes! Paula Howells with a wonderful strike that curled past the keeper and put Lewes ahead a goal to nil.
Less than two minutes had passed on the clock before Amelia Hazard won the ball in midfield and sent a long pass to Heidi Logan who cut in on the right wing, sharply crossing the ball back into the box. Umotong’s toe tipped the ball back for Hazard herself to put away convincingly at 40mins. Her first goal for Lewes!
2-0 to Lewes at half time.
Though Charlton looked dangerous in parts, Hannah Filby picking out Charlton players with long balls forward, the solid Lewes defence took care of any threat and the Charlton efforts form Bethan Roe and Keira Skeels gave Tatiana Saunders little trouble.
Lewes were the team who looked more likely to score in the latter stages of the game, Howells looking to add to her goal tally and shots from Logan giving the crowd plenty to be on their feet for. By this stage, the Glynde & Beddingham Brass Band were in full flow, following up their first half rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) – much appreciated by new Manager, Craig Gill – with the Match of the Day theme tune, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and more crowd-pleasers. Special mention to the trombone that accompanied every goal kick by the Charlton keeper.
The Lewes attacks continued, Kallie Balfour and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford saw out the final 15 mins of the game, both with energy and pace, driving forwards. Perhaps the best late chance being sent just over the bar by a stretching Ini Umotong inside the closing stages.
5 minutes added time passed before the final whistle as cheers rang out around the Dripping Pan.
A clean sheet and the three points in the bag, final score Lewes 2, Charlton 0.
Craig Gill reflects on the win
Newly appointed interim manager for the Rooks, Craig Gill had this to say on the match and on his first few days at the Club…
“I thought the players were superb. They took Wednesday’s Crystal Palace performance into today as as I asked them to, with the energy and the discipline and, executed the game plan superbly well.”
“I think I also have to recognize the staff who have been superb since I came in as well, the coaching from Jesús, Adam’s performance analysis, Christos performance coaching, Kat & Paul with physiotherapy.” Craig added “It’s been really great from everybody across the backroom staff and beyond to the support from the board. And of course, with Kelly Lindsey as the Head of Performance.”
Craig has had a chance to see the transition from training to match with two home games in the first few days of arriving at the club;
“It all bodes well. I’ve I’ve enjoyed my first week here, but this is just the beginning and there’s lots lots more work to do as we progress through the coming weeks.”
As we now head into our international break the Rooks currently sit sixth in the table and face Liverpool away in two weeks time.
Next home game will be on November 7th when we host Watford at the Dripping Pan. Tickets available now.
Come on You Rooks
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Line Up:
Saunders, McKenna, Howells, Cleverly, Hack, O’Rourke, Ayisi, Hazard, Dalton, Logan, Umotong
Substitutes:
(77) Ashworth-Clifford for Howells,
(77) Balfour for Logan,
(84) Timms for Ayisi
Substitutes not used: Boswell, Salgado, Cousins, Cross, Noble, Miller
Yellow Cards:
Hack (53)
Images: James Boyes