Women's football news
FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup
Lewes FC Women 5 – 0 Charlton Athletic
Bergin 11 (pen), 43
Lane 22
Carter 86, 91
MATCH REPORT
Last season’s FAWPL League Champions arrived at the Dripping
Pan looking to avenge their February exit from the FAWPL Cup Quarter Final at
the hands of the hosts. They found Lewes in no mood to comply.
Charlton started well, putting together a series of
well-rehearsed moves to open up the home side with skipper Charley Clifford and
playmaker Charlotte Gurr at the heart of things. Lewes defended well and counter-attacked.
On 6 minutes Gurr was adjudged to have pushed Avilla Bergin in the area. Bergin
dusted herself down to strike her spot-kick low and left, sending Katie Startup
the wrong way.
Charlton came close to levelling the scores when Lewes
‘keeper Faye Baker was forced to clear under pressure. The ball fell to Ellie
Bailes who had time to line up a perfect curling shot. Baker atoned, making a
glorious, flying top-handed save.
The Addicks came closest to scoring in the 18th
minute. Nicole Pepper threaded a pass for Elizabeta Ejupi who’s early strike
beat Baker but not her crossbar.
Lewes gained control of midfield, forcing the visitors back.
The hosts doubled their lead on 22 minutes, Dani Lane heading home Kate
McIntyre’s well-placed corner from 14 yards.
Lewes debutant Samantha Quayle had two good chances on the
break, both one on one with Startup. The first, on the left, Quayle shot early
and wide. The second, on the right, Startup managed to claw away as the Lewes
striker tried to lift the ball over her.
Bergin, irrepressible against her former club, started and
almost finished a fine, sweeping move. She released Vicky Carleton wide on the
right, the winger racing clear of her marker to send in an early cross. The
ball ended in Startup’s gloves, the on-rushing, sliding Bergin into the Charlton
net.
Just before the break Lewes added a third. A poor clearance
from right back fell to Carleton who took the ball down and found Rutherford,
the combative midfielder sliding a perfect pass for Bergin to run on and
finish. HT 3-0.
The second half saw Lewes continue to dominate. Charlton
created fewer chances and just short of the hour manager Riteesh Mishrah
brought on the twin threat of Kit Graham, Charlton’s perennial Golden Boot, and
Gemma Bryan, last season’s top scorer at Crystal Palace.
Undaunted, Lewes continued to snuff out any chances. Baker
saved well from Bailes as Rebecca Thompson-Agbro and Charley Boswell marshalled
Bryan and Graham. Kit Graham, lethal anywhere near the goal, found space and
looked certain to score before Amy Taylor made a career challenge to deny the
striker.
With 20 minutes to go, Lewes Manager John Donoghue replaced
the hard-running Quayle with Rebecca Carter. Carter it was who sealed the win, first
turning in McIntyre’s cute corner at the near post after a fine knock-down from
Lane, before scoring the goal of the game in added time.
Lane started the move with a trademark burst on the left.
Her chipped cross was mis-controlled by the otherwise excellent Charley
Clifford. Lewes substitute Charlotte Owen pounced, controlled the ball under
pressure before setting up Carter for a superb right-footed strike from 16
yards. Full Time 5-0.
QUOTES: John Donoghue on today’s win:
“Lewes manager John Donoghue was understandably pleased with
his team.
“They popped the ball round us quite a bit early in the
early stages. We had to defend, and we did that fantastically well.”
On the penalty award:
“We had a similar one given against us last week against
West Ham. The player’s gone in with her hip, it was pretty clear. Very
well-taken from Avilla’s, right into the bottom corner.”
On the team performance as a whole:
“You don’t come out 5-0 winners without it being a team
performance, from the back to the front. Also, the players who came on from the
bench. (Charlton) had some potent players on the pitch.
There’s always a bit if anxiety going into a new season. We knew that Charlton
had added to an already good squad. I’m
sure that’s helped settle a few nerves. We need to keep stepping it up now.”
On facing West Ham United away at Rush Green next Sunday:
“They’ve got some very good players as we saw last week. At least we’ll know
what we’re up against.”
Teams:
Lewes (4-5-1) Faye BAKER, Charley BOSWELL, Rebecca
THOMPSON-AGBRO, Amy TAYLOR, Natasha WELLS, Leeta RUTHERFORD, Kate McINTYRE (C),
Danielle LANE, Vicky CARLETON, Avilla BERGIN, Samantha QUAYLE
Substitutes: Shannon MOLONEY (75), Rebecca CARTER (71), Charlotte
OWEN (84)
Substitutes not used: Nina WILSON, Georgia ROBERT
Bookings: None
Red cards: none
Charlton: Katie STARTUP, Charlotte KERR, Grace COOMBS, Mel
PARREND-ESPINOSA, Charley CLIFFORD (C), Liz EJUPI, Ellie BAILES, Nicole PEPPER,
Lilli MAPLE, Hannah CHURCHILL, Charlotte GURR
Substitutes: Kit GRAHAM (56), Gemma BRYAN (56), Hannah
WHEELER (77)
Substitutes not used: Georgia PEARCH, Flo JACKSON
Bookings: None
Red cards: none
Referee: Jamie Wells
Attendance: 205