Women's football news
West Ham Ladies 1 Lewes FC
Women 2
Sunday 29th April 2018
FA Women’s Premier League South
Lewes returned to winning ways with a stunning 2-1 victory
away to in-form West Ham on Sunday. The Hammers, looking to secure a 14th
consecutive result in 2018, took the lead early in the first half after Kelly
Wealthall pounced on a loose defensive header to slot home.
A perfect strike from skipper Kate McIntyre and a late
poacher’s goal from Amy Taylor secured the points for Lewes but it was the
outstanding display between the sticks from ‘keeper Faye Baker that rightly won
the plaudits.
West Ham took the game to Lewes early on, Ellie Zoepfl
creating chances for Wealthall and Rosie Kmita. They found Baker in inspired form,
making a string of blocks and saves to keep her side in the contest. Lewes came
close to levelling the scores when Bex Thompson’s glanced header was cleared
off the line but were unable to make the break-through. HT 1-0.
Kmita had a terrific chance to open a two-goal lead early in
the second half when she slipped past Thompson only to find Baker yet again in
the perfect position. Just after the hour the game turned in the visitors’
favour. McIntyre, operating without the injured Leeta Rutherford alongside her,
received the ball wide on the left. She cut inside and, despite the close
attention of Chantelle Mackie, fired in a peach of a right-foot shot from 23
yards that beat Cara Connaster all ends up, flying in off the underside of the crossbar.
1-1.
Sensing his side could go on and take the win, Lewes manager
John Donoghue brought Georgia Bridges and Amy Taylor off the bench. It was
these two who combined on 84 minutes to fashion the winner. Baker, having
thwarted yet another Hammers attack, released Bridges on the right. She carried
the ball forward, spotted Taylor’s run and played a perfectly-weighted pass.
Connaster and Austin collided with the Lewes striker and the ball ran loose.
Taylor reacted first, rising to flick her finish home from a narrow angle. 1-2.
There was just time for Andrea Georgiou to pick up her
second yellow card of the afternoon, heading for an early shower after making a
poor challenge after Vicky Carleton picked her pocket. FT 1-2.
Lewes boss John Donoghue was rightly pleased with his side’s
resilience and ability to come back after the early set-back. MvP Baker,
delighted with the win, acknowledged Lewes had overcome a ‘very strong’ West
Ham side to complete a league double over the East London side.
Lewes travel to the Meridian Sports Club Gillingham this
Sunday, with Cardiff the visitors to the Dripping Pan for the Rookettes’ last
home game of the season on Sunday 13th May.
Attendance: 65
MvP: Faye Baker.
An outstanding display, underlined by superb positioning and reading of the
game.
Lewes
Baker, Owen, Thompson-Agbro, McIntyre (c), Carleton, Carter,
Lane, McCarthy, Wells, Bergin, Waine.
Subs:
Bridges (70), Rowbotham (86), Taylor (70), Goldsmid, Newton