Women's football news
It was a case of déjà vu as the Rookettes headed back to
Bromley FC for the second time in four days to take on Crystal Palace Ladies, this time in the FAW Premier League Cup, reports Stuart Fuller.
Manager John Donoghue made a number of changes to the side
that were beaten by Palace on Wednesday, bringing in Amy Taylor, Viki Carleton
and Sarah Kempson into the starting line up with Rebecca Carter, Danni Lane and
Rebecca Thompson dropping to the bench whilst Crystal Palace Ladies made just
one change with Jade Davenport replacing Leesa Haydock.
Lewes started in a more positive frame than on Wednesday,
forcing the play in the opening few minutes with Katie McIntyre shooting from
distance in the opening minute, but her effort sailed over. In the 2nd minute of the game a
nasty clash of heads between Amy Taylor and Megan Chandler needing treatment,
with the Palace player forced to temporarily leave the field.
From the resulting free-kick, Kempson managed to get a shot
in but Lynch turned it around the post.
McIntyre’s corner was cleared but only straight back to the Lewes
midfielder and her cross almost found Rutherford, but the bounce from the 3G
pitch eluded the Rookettes centre-back.
Fifteen minutes into the game and the Rookettes got their
reward for their early endeavour when a McIntyre corner was cleared partially by
Lynch but only to Amy Taylor ten yards out and her curling effort found the
inside of the far post to give Lewes a deserved lead.
Lewes weathered a spell of Palace pressure but on 32 minutes
extended the lead when Amy Taylor broke down the left, beat her man and headed
into the box. She hit the ball with the
outside of her foot across the goal and Avilla Bergin slide in just to make
sure to double the Rookettes lead.
It took almost 40 minutes for Palace to have their first
shot on goal when Bryan took on Palmer down the Lewes left before shooting from
ten yards but Baker was well behind it.
Just before the break Faye Baker showed her value as a shot-stopper
again, tipping over a Davenport effort from 25 yards and then blocking Paye’s
header from the resulting corner from point-blank range.
Half-time and Rookettes could go in very happy with an
excellent first-half performance and a two-nil lead.
Palace started the half brightly and the first chance fell
to Nikita Whinnett who found herself with the ball at her feet six yards out
but hooked her shot over the bar. Lewes
then broke and Vicky Carleton’s cross on the run just evaded Carter and found the
welcome hands of Lynch.
Almost on the hour mark Palace got themselves back into the
game with a move that came out of nothing.
A hopeful ball over the Lewes back four saw Bryan hook the ball over the
on-rushing Faye Baker and into an empty net, injuring herself in the process,
giving her a third goal against Lewes in the last four days.
Sarah Kempson came close to extending the Rookettes lead in
the 67th minute when her shot from 25 yards fizzed over the
bar. Kempson’s trickery on the ball led
to the first card of the game when McRoberts fouled her near the corner
flag. McIntyre’s free-kick was met by
Leeta but her header looped up in the air and was easily saved by Lynch.
A flurry of substitutes from both sides broke up the rhythm
of the game as the clocked ticked down with neither side able to find a way
through the solid defences. There was
some late drama when Palmer conceded a free-kick in the corner but Kelly Newton
headed clear on the near post.
The Rookettes professionally saw out the final few minutes,
denying Palace possession in the dangerous areas until finally the full-time
whistle blew.
Post match manager John Donoghue spoke to Stuart Fuller about the two games against Palace.
Whilst the win could not make up for the disappointment of
losing 3 points on Wednesday, it was a much better performance from Lewes Women
and means progress in the cup.
Crystal Palace
Ladies: Lynch, McRoberts, Foreman (Shakes – 83mins), Bailes, Paye, Holdaway
(Collins – 85mins), Davenport (Goss – 80mins), Sherwood, Bryan, Whinnett,
Chandler
Subs: Haydock
Booked: McRoberts (69mins)
Goal: Bryan (57mins)
Lewes Women:
Baker, Johnson, Palmer, McIntyre (Owen – 90mins), James, Newton, Kempson,
Rutherford, Taylor (Carter – 36mins), Carleton (Lane – 80mins), Bergin
Subs: Dolbear, Thompson
Goals: Taylor (15mins), Bergin (32mins)