FA WOMEN”S CHAMPIONSHIP – SUNDAY 29th MARCH 2021 – 2.30pm
WELCOME TO THE HOME OF LIVE FOOTBALL
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https://www.lewesfc.com/live
FA CHAMPIONSHIP – Today’s matches and standings
SIMON SAYS
Good afternoon and welcome back to the Dripping Pan. We always look forward to our games against London Bees. We know their results haven’t been great since Christmas but they have some dangerous players and we will treat them with the respect they deserve, especially going forward. Let’s not forget that they have already beaten us twice, once in the league and again in the Continental Cup, and their current league position doesn’t fully reflect how much of a threat they can be, so we will not be complacent come 2.30pm.
We’ve never beaten the London Bees in a competitive fixture so our focus today is not only on putting that right but also trying to close the gap on the top five, especially as we travel to third-placed Liverpool next Sunday.
The Bees are always a danger at set-pieces, something we have been working on this week and having seen some of their games over the last few weeks they can also count themselves unlucky on a few of the goals conceded and not getting the luck at the other end of the pitch.
I’m hoping that we can carry on the performances from our last two away games and get back to winning ways here at The Pan – it is just such a shame we can’t do it in front of any fans, but we all really appreciate the support you give us via Social Media, so thank you to everyone for that.
Enjoy the game and let’s hope for 3 points.
Simon
YOUR 2020/21 ROOKS
A POSITIVE ROVERS RETURN – Blackburn Rovers 0 Lewes 3
Marcus Lee reports on three points and three goals on the road.
Ini Umotong, Rhian Cleverly and Danielle Lane were all on target as the Rooks won 3-0 at Blackburn Rovers.
It was the hosts who had the early chances. A free-kick caused danger in the Lewes area on six minutes, but a defender was there to make an important block. Sophie O’Rourke was then required to intercept a through ball to stop the attack a minute later.
Despite the early pressure from Blackburn, the Rooks scored the opener 11 minutes into the first half. A clever free-kick routine allowed Mollie Rouse to pass the ball to Umotong, the striker was dragged down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Umotong stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake, as she slotted the ball into the top corner.
Lewes piled on the pressure after the goal. Lucy Ashworth-Clifford played in a dangerous cross on 18 minutes to win the Rooks a corner, which unfortunately came to nothing. Only minutes later the winger put in another good cross, this time trying to find Katie Rood, but it was just cut out before the New Zealand international could reach it.
On 25 minutes the Rooks doubled their lead. Ashworth-Clifford played in a free-kick and the opposition failed to clear the first header. Cleverly was first to the second opportunity and her headed effort clipped the post and went in.
Blackburn almost pulled a goal back on 33 minutes when a goalmouth scramble forced Tatiana Saunders into making a vital save.
Five minutes later Lewes had a corner that fell to Nicola Cousins who played a cross back into the box, but Alex Brooks did well in the Blackburn goal to tip out of Georgia Timms’ reach.
Rovers had an early chance at the start of the second half, but Saffron Jordan saw her shot blocked. Then three minutes into the half Saunders made another great save to deny Blackburn.
The hosts did have the ball in the net on 58 minutes, but the flag was raised for offside against Jordan. Aimee Hodgson had a chance for Rovers seven minutes later but sent the shot over Saunders’ goal.
It was on 69 minutes when the Rooks scored their third goal to seal the win. Lane picked up the ball just inside the Blackburn half and drove towards the opposition defence. The midfielder beat the defenders to fire a low shot into the bottom corner, finding the back of the net.
Saunders was needed again 10 minutes later when she came off her line quickly to close down Jordan and make the save.
In the final minute of the 90, Megan Mackey won a free-kick in a dangerous position, but Emma Jones’ effort was blocked. The full-time whistle was eventually blown, securing the three points for the Rooks.
Lewes: Saunders, Boswell, Cleverly (C), Cousins, O’Rourke, Timms (Lane 60), Rouse, Cross (Leek 74), Rood (Mackey 85), Umotong (Jones 85), Ashworth-Clifford (Jhamat 74)
Subs not used: Quayle, Hack, Savva
Goals: Umotong 13, Cleverly 26, Lane 69
Yellow card: Cousins 40
Blackburn Rovers: Brooks, Jukes, Coan, Richards, Newsham (Fletcher 46), Fenton, Doyle, Embley (Hodgson 46), Hughes, Walters (Johnson 72), Jordan (C)
Subs not used: Bradley, McDonald, Dean, Boydell, Montgomery
Yellow card: Richards 71
THE MAGIC OF THE FA WOMEN’S CUP
The Football Association announced two weeks ago that the 2020/21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup will recommence next week with the remaining Second and Third Round games taking place.
Lewes have been drawn at home in the Fourth Round, and will face the winner of the ties involving Southampton FC/Plymouth Argyle and Keynsham Town/Yeovil United on Sunday 18th April.
It is planned that the Fifth Round will take place in May before the subsequent rounds, including the Final are held at the start of the 2021/22 season.
NO, A FENCE
Our Supporters Club have been busy at the Pan over the last few weeks, repairing and replacing areas including the fences at the Ham Lane End. Massive thanks to everyone involved. If you want to help out, or understand a bit more about what the Supporters Club do then click here. You can also enter the monthly Pan for Gold draw via the link.
NOTES FROM THE CHAIR
Good afternoon everyone and welcome, virtually, to the Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s FA Women’s Championship game against London Bees. In better times we would hope to offer them our superb hospitality but instead have to simply wish their trip to see us is problem free and their return is safe and swift.
Two weeks ago we took the long road north to Bamber Bridge and came away with three points and three goals against a strong and physical Blackburn Rovers side. This was as solid a performance as we had seen from Simon’s team all season, whilst not losing sight of the goal at the other end. We scored three goals – a penalty from Ini, Rhian’s header and then a great strike from Danni but it was the defensive performance that had be smiling on the way home. Our back four were superb and when called upon, Tatiana was there as the last line of defence. One save in particular when the score was 1-0, where she clawed the ball off the line was absolutely superb. My player of the match was Nicola Cousins who was a rock at the back. As a former centre-half myself, I could relate to the effortless way she stopped the Rovers attacks.
The squad haven’t rested too much despite the International Break last weekend, playing a couple of training games against other sides, allowing Simon and his team the opportunity to tweak playing styles and formations.
The big news in the Women’s game in the last few weeks has to be the Sky/BBC TV deal. This is one of the biggest and most positive news stories we have seen for many years – the impact this will have on the Women’s game cannot be understated. I’ve been critical in the past on some of the decisions taken by the governing body, but hats off to everyone involved in the negotiation of the deal. To have Women’s football, live on our TVs every week will be brilliant for the development of the game.
Naturally, it wouldn’t be my regular column unless I was getting on my soap box about something and I’d like to address one issue, which is related to the TV deal. The growth of the Women’s game in this country continues at a pace and the revenues that will flow to the clubs will make it the richest Women’s league in the world. We will see some of the best players globally come to these shores to ply their trade which will be amazing. However, because of the rules around when games can be played, there is a major section of fans of the game who can’t get to games as they play themselves. Clubs have little flexibility in being able to change their fixtures and thus how do they know the potential they have for attracting fans.
Last season, we faced Chelsea in the Continental Cup and was able to move the game to a Saturday afternoon, with our Men’s team away. Whilst the opponents will have boosted interest in the tie, we recorded one of our best ever Women’s attendances here at the Pan. One reason is that girls (and Women players of other teams in the pyramid) were able to attend the game as they also play on a Sunday. Allowing clubs some flexibility on when they can play will mean they can optimise the number of fans who can attend – assuming of course we can welcome fans back next season!
Good luck to Simon and the squad this afternoon as we push for a top five finish with just a few games to go.
Come on you Rooks!
Stuart
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
The club celebrated #IWD2021 not just on one day but the whole week! Below is a selection of the content that was published.
WHEN THE FA BANNED FOOTBALL
Rooks director and former Lionesses, Claire Rafferty, went on a journey to find out about the FA’s ban on the Women’s game 100 years ago.
MATCHDAY POSTER
This season these are being designed by our U14s/ U16s pathway players. They’ve been interviewing and photographing our first team players via Zoom.
This week Grace Reidy spoke with Rooks keeper Tatiana Saunders for the inspiration for the poster.
WHO ARE YA? London Bees
Named in honour of their workplace, District Line Ladies FC appeared in leagues across Greater London before tasting promotion to the Women’s FA National League Southern Division in the early 1990s.
It did not take long afterwards before the squad merged with Wembley FC – becoming Wembley Ladies FC and reaching their zenith in an FA Cup final defeat to Millwall Lionesses in 1997.
Meanwhile Barnet Ladies FC, established by Barnet director Graham Slyper in the mid-80s, had become officially affiliated with the men’s club.
It prompted another merger in 1998 after Wembley’s FA Cup finalists began to leave the club, including teenager and eventual England legend Kelly Smith.
Barnet FC Ladies have been a virtual mainstay in English football’s top tier ever since before London Bees, a brand new franchise, was welcomed into the Women’s Super League fold for 2014.
London Bees first ever fixture in WSL2 resulted in a 3-0 victory over Oxford United Ladies, with 16-year old Lucy Loomes scoring their first ever goal.
In 2016, the Bees experienced their best season to date, taking home a record points haul for the season as well as a historic run to the semi-finals of the Continental Cup, knocking out Chelsea en route.
The 2017 Spring Series saw the Bees get off to a great start and top the league in the early stages. A move to a winter season has seen changes both on and off the pitch.
Luke Swindlehurst’s first season at the club saw him secure their highest placed finish as London Bees and the future of the club was secured with a license extension into 2018 and beyond.
The London Bees squad:
1 Sarah Quantrill
2 Sophie Quirk
3 Megan Alexander (C)
4 Hayley West
5 Georgia Robert
6 Billie Brooks
7 Lauren Pickett
8 Bonnie Horwood
9 Marianne Taho
10 Brook Nunn
11 Melissa Filis
12 Courtnay Ward-Chambers
13 Sophie McLean
14 Georgie Giddings
15 Millie Constantine
16 Nicola Gibson
17 Charlie Estcourt
18 Mathilda Finburgh
20 Tricia Gould
21 Florence Gamby
22 Amelia Hazard
23 Merrick Will
24 Faye Hazelton
25 Evie Gane
26 Emily Donovan
28 Helen Ward
33 Mia Cruickshank
Last Six Games
7th March – Leicester City (H) – 0-7
28th February – Liverpool (A) – 0-3
14th February – Crystal Palace (A) – 0-5
7th February – Sheffield United (H) – 2-4
24th January – Durham (A) – 0-1
17th January – London City Lionesses (H) – 0-0
OUR LAST GAME HERE – LEWES 2 LONDON CITY LIONESSES 3
FILMING AT MATCHES
Today there may be film crews in the ground, filming on behalf of Lewes Football Club and other media organisations. The filming is usually for Lewes FC marketing purposes, to show what a matchday looks/sounds like and to generally promote what we do. Lewes Football Club respectfully asks for your permission to be filmed. If you do not want to be filmed, please let the crew know directly and they will oblige. Thanks for your cooperation in helping to build a successful club.
CREDITS AND LEGAL INFO
The FA Women’s Championship strongly supports recent FA statements that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly, any form of discriminatory abuse, whether it be based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, faith, age, ability or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association. (The FA 0800 085 0508/Kick It Out 020 7253 0162).
Lewes 2000 FC Limited. Registered in England and Wales with Company Registration Number 03790979.
Honorary President Terry Parris
Chair Stuart Fuller
Directors Ed Briggs*, Charlie Dobres, Stuart Fuller*, John Peel, Eddie Ramsden, Galia Orme, Roger Warner, Steve Keegan, Karen Dobres, Trevor Wells
Claire Rafferty**
*Re-elected at AGM Oct 2020
** Directors seconded onto the board
Life Members
Mr and Mrs Brook, Vic Blunt, Pat Dartnell, Gary Elphick, Gordon Fowlie, Peter Hiscox, Billy Nixon, Derrick Parris, Terry Parris, Jimmy Quinn, P. Swaysland, Steve Ibbitson, Jason Hopkinson, Steve White, Martin Elliot, Kevin Fingerneissl, Kevin Powell, David and Barbara Arnold, Roger and Cathy Feltham, Ethel Treagus, Roy Dartnell RIP, Ron Moore, Derek Southouse, Ray Smith, Ken Carter.
General Manager Maggie Murphy
Assistant GM Lynne Burrell
Marketing Director Charlie Dobres
Marketing Officer Maggie Murphy
Safeguarding Officer Lynne Burrell
Pathway Coordinator Alison Palmer
Manager Simon Parker
Assistant Coach Jesus Cordon
Assistant Coach Ady Penrose
PP Coach Christos Andreou
GK Coach Sergio Maldonado
Nutritionist Stefano Montanari
Asst PPC Kayleigh Bonwick
Physio Paul Paredes
Team Psychologist Chelsea Orme
Data Analyst Adam Chilcott
DS Coach Lewis Singleton
U18s Manager/ Head coach Kelly Newton
U18s Manager/ Coach Charlie Carter
U16s Manager/ Coach David Seymour
U16s Coach Lucy Barnes
U14s Manager/ Coach Tom Young/ Rob Palmer
Pathway Co-ordinator Alison Palmer
Pathway Goalkeeping coach Peter Stimpson
Web Editor Stuart Fuller
Progcast Editor Stuart Fuller
Club Photographer James Boyes