Women's football news
Lewes 2 – 1 London Bees
An own goal in the first half and a Megan Mackey goal in the second half won the three points for Lewes against London Bees.
It was a bright start by the Rooks with two corners in the early stages. It turned out to be the second corner which resulted in the opening goal on five minutes. Lucy Ashworth-Clifford crossed the ball in, and it came off a London Bees defender and was diverted into the net.
The Rooks had a chance to double the lead four minutes later, but Danielle Lane’s effort was cleared off the line.
Ashworth-Clifford was looking threatening and sent a curling effort just wide of the goal on 17 minutes.
The visitors had a chance on 24 minutes, but the cross was just over Melissa Filis’ head.
London Bees continued to pressure the Lewes defence, as Brooke Nunn had a shot that was a comfortable save for Tatiana Saunders.
On 29 minutes, the pressure paid off for the visitors. Sophie Quirk was able to beat the Lewes defenders and curl an effort into the bottom corner, out of Saunders’ reach to level the game.
Emma Jones had a chance to regain the lead for the Rooks 10 minutes before half-time but could only fire her shot straight at Faye Hazelton.
With only two minutes left of the opening 45, it looked as though the Rooks would go in leading at the break, but Hazelton prevented that from happening. Ashworth-Clifford saw her shot well saved and then Ini Umotong’s follow up shot was saved. After a goalmouth scramble, Ellie Hack’s shot was deflected wide for a Lewes corner.
The second half started well for the Rooks and Megan Mackey scored on 51 minutes to put Lewes in the lead. The midfielder collected the ball on the wing and fired a shot over Hazelton and into the net.
Lewes continued to pressure after the goal and Umotong nearly found Ashworth-Clifford but put just too much power on the cross.
Mackey had a chance to score again on 67 minutes, but the London Bees ‘keeper did well to make the save.
In the final 15 minutes, the north London side stepped up the pressure as they looked to equalise. A low free-kick on 76 minutes was well held by Saunders.
Another Bees free-kick on 88 minutes had the potential to cause danger in the Lewes area, but Georgia Robert’s attempt went over Saunders’ goal.
In the first minute of stoppage time, Katie Rood forced Hazelton into a save and tipped the ball past the post.
The Rooks looked to keep the ball in the Bees half in the closing stages and shielded it well and the referee eventually blew the whistle for full-time.
Lewes: Saunders, Boswell, Cleverly (C), Hack, O’Rourke, Mackey (Rood 80), Rouse, Lane (Savva 64), Jones (Timms 80), Umotong, Ashworth-Clifford (Cousins 90+2)
Subs not used: Quayle, Jhamat, Leek
Goals: Own goal 5, Mackey 51
Yellow card: O’Rourke 76
London Bees: Hazelton, Quirk, West, Robert, Nunn (Taho 70), Filis, McLean, Estcourt (Gould 80), Hazard, Gane (Horwood 80), Cruickshank (Gibson 66)
Subs not used: Quantrill, Brooks, Giddings, Constantine, Gamby
Goal: Quirk 29