Women's football news
Lewes 1-2 Sheffield United
FA Women’s Championship
Sunday 17 November
It was another narrow defeat for Fran Alonso’s Lewes, as Sheffield United took the three points in a 2-1 victory at the Dripping Pan.
The Rooks wore orange socks to show the club’s support for United Nations Women UK’s #drawaline campaign against gender-based violence. And before the game kicked off, players and spectators observed a perfect minute’s silence in remembrance of local resident Nicola Stevenson who was tragically found murdered last week.
Ellie Noble got the game underway, but it was the visitors setting the early pace. The Blades kept hold of position and were looking for the perfect opportunity to test Faye Baker in the Lewes goal.
On nine minutes the Rooks were quick to pounce on a sloppy pass from the Sheffield midfield, but as they looked to attack the Blades defence got back in numbers and prevented Lewes from getting the opener.
The opener did come three minutes later, but for Sheffield United. Jade Pennock was able to break through the middle of the Lewes defence and she fired an effort across Baker and into the net.
The next best chance for Lewes didn’t come until the 30-minute mark. A long ball was played over the top, but it was just out of reach of Jess King and it rolled through to the goalkeeper.
Only a minute later and Sheffield United were on the attack after a mix up at the back for Lewes. Rhian Cleverly prevented it from being 2-0 with a great goal line clearance.
However, on 38 minutes the Blades did double their lead. Veatriki Sarri picked up the ball inside the Lewes half and fired an unstoppable long-range effort past Baker.
Lewes came out much improved in the second half and were creating more opportunities.
On 60 minutes the chance finally came, and Katie Rood made no mistake in getting a goal back. The winger latched on to a long ball and fired a great effort across and out of the reach of the Sheffield goalkeeper to give Lewes momentum going into the closing stages.
10 minutes later Lewes almost got the equaliser. Emily Donovan looked set to swing in a corner, but played it low to Noble on the edge of the box whose powerful effort looked set to go in if it wasn’t for a deflection.
Going into the closing stages Lewes stilled searched for an equaliser, but Sheffield were defending very well and prevented this from happening.
Next Lewes face a tough test on Wednesday night when they travel to east London to face West Ham United in the Continental League Cup.
Lewes Starting XI: Baker (C), Cleverly, Hayes, Noble, King (Boswell 46), Powell, Rowbotham (Savva 46), Donovan (Jones 73), Lane, O’Rourke, Rood
Subs not used: Quayle, Timoney, Hartley, Taylor
Goal: Rood 60
Sheffield United Starting XI: Flaherty, Barker (C), Tierney, Little, Hartley, Pennock, Cusack, Wilkinson (Paul 66), Palmer (Lipka 80), Sarri (Dixon 80), Fergusson
Subs not used: Batty, Matthews
Goals: Pennock 12, Sarri 38