Women's football news
Written by: Joe
A late own goal rescued a point for Lewes FC on Sunday to end a battling display against AFC Wimbledon in the opening match of the 2024/25 FA Women’s National League South campaign.
Goalkeeper Emily Moore had kept the Rooks in with a fighting chance of grabbing a draw when delivering a magnificent save late on to deny Ellie Dorey.
And five minutes into stoppage time a tricky corner from the visitors fell kindly as the ball was bundled over the line.
Lewes started positively, with Sydney Schreimaier and Layla Proctor commanding territory in the centre of the pitch.
It wasn’t until midway through the first half, though, that Olivia Carpenter had the first sniff of goal when seeing a shot blocked after swift build-up play from Proctor and Muna Eze.
Moments later Wimbledon took the lead through Leanne Bell, who tapped into an empty net after reacting first to a brilliant save from Moore. Moore had got down well to deny Alex Hennessy but the ball span away from Maddie Brandt and into Bell’s path.
Lewes kept plugging away despite conceding and Adekite Fatuga-Dada was next to threaten with a looping shot over Rose Kite, only for the goalkeeper to nudge the ball onto the post.
Into the second half and Lewes were building momentum. A string of corners led to Che Thomas seeing a shot blocked, while Proctor was inches away from pulling the trigger on another smart move between her and Thomas.
With five minutes of normal time remaining Moore kept the Rooks in the game twice. First she denied Dorey with a magnificent reflex save, before shutting out the hosts again in a one-on-one.
Into the final minute and Lewes had one last corner to secure a point, and it duly came through an own goal.
The result means Lewes sit seventh in the FA Women’s National League South with Exeter up next at the Dripping Pan on Sunday.