Women's football news
Written by: Joe
Lewes secured a third draw of the season on Sunday with a battling 0-0 result against Gwalia at the Dripping Pan.
Paula Howells saw the best chance for the Rooks sail over in a game of few opportunities for either side, while substitute Poppy Derhun couldn’t find the target in the final minute of play in what would be the game’s last – and perhaps best – opening.
Emily Moore – named Player of the Match for her heroics against Watford two weeks ago – barely had a save to make as the Rooks defence held firm.
Lewes headed into the game having suffered a heavy defeat to Ipswich last time out, but started the brighter at the Pan.
There were plenty of new white and purple Who Gives A Crap away shirts in the stands, with our club shop now well stocked for supporters entering the ground.
Moore was called into action on 16 minutes to routinely tip a long-range shot from Emily Poole over the bar, having already watched Kylie Nolan’s lob fly into the stands a few minutes earlier.
At the other end, Layla Proctor headed a dangerous cross wide of goal, while Howells sent the first of a few long-range efforts zipping into goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan Jones’ hands.
Lewes ended the first half on the front foot as Maddie Brant shot wide from the edge of the box, while Olivia Carpenter was inches from findings a Rooks boot when delivering a dangerous cross into the box early after the break.
The hosts were knocking on the door as the Xero scoreboard reached the hour mark and Che Thomas thought she had created the opening goal when jinking past a couple of challenges on the left before pulling back to Howells. Sadly, Lewes’ No 14 shot high into the Philcox Stand from all of 12 yards.
Lewes sustained a barrage of pressure after the chance and Nolan came close to scoring with an excellent spin and shot from distance.
Into the final minute and, with the game still in the balance, Derhun sniffed an opening when latching onto a cross-field ball. The substitute stretched to angle her shot at goal but couldn’t get enough on it.
The goalless draw means Lewes sit 11th in the FA Women’s National League South, with a third draw from five games. Next up is a trip to Oxford United next Sunday.
Lewes XI: Moore, Brant, Schreimaier, Glass-Oliver, Godfrey, Thomas, Proctor, Carpenter, Harvey, Howells, Fatuga-Dada
Subs: Hunkin, Eze (79′), Connolly-Brame, Adaway (86′), Gilligan, Curran, Derhun (79′)