Sunday 7th November – 2pm KO – FA Women’s Championship
Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s FA Women’s Championship game with Watford. Here is your complimentary e-programme.
Manager’s Thoughts
It’s been very positive on the back of the defeat to Liverpool. We played well enough to get a result and had we taken our chances then it would have been a different outcome. The positivity has been brilliant and we’re just focusing on Watford now.
The girls have come into training every day with a great attitude as they have every day I’ve been here to be honest. That’s what I like about this group of players. They’re very conscientious and very professional in their outlook. And they’ve exercised and performed very well.
I watched Watford’s game against Charlton and they did very well, they’re hard to break down and well organised defensively. The girls they’ve got up front are quick, so no doubt they will cause us some challenges and some problems this weekend, but we have to be prepared for that, which we will be.
My first game at home was Charlton and the fans were great throughout, especially the band who managed to find a rendition of Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Being a proud Welshman that struck a chord with me!
(I’m expecting) more of the same really – the support has been fantastic. We know it gives the girls a lift and we hope to see many more fans down here again on Sunday!
Notes from the Big Chair…
Good afternoon and welcome to the Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s Championship game against Watford. November’s a big month for us with key league and cup games, starting with today’s game.
It was disappointing to come away from the Liverpool game last week without anything to show for our efforts and on the balance of our second half we deserved a share of the points.
But we can’t wallow in what ifs, we need to focus on picking up wins and with our excellent home form in mind, look at six points from our two fixtures against teams below us in the Championship.
Four points separate eight clubs at the moment and if we want to put pressure on the top two then we need to find consistency both here at The Pan but also on the road. We’ve been too goal shy this season, only scoring more than one goal once – whilst we have a solid defence, we need to think about goal difference with so many teams bunched together.
One area we want to focus on is growing our attendances. Five years ago we were playing in front of a few dozen and whilst we are now regularly getting more than 300 fans in to see our games, we would love to double, or even treble that. We are always open and listening to any ideas as to how we can engage with new fans so if you have any ideas talk to Shrey, our Community and Fan Engagement Manager.
Next summer sees the European Championships taking place here in England and we hope to see the positive impact of that in terms of new fans of the game but wouldn’t it be great to see them sooner – The Pan is a brilliant, and safe place to watch football so please encourage anyone you know to sample a game here.
Enjoy the game and Come On You Rooks!
A great piece by Euro News on our brilliant football club! (6 Minute Watch)
Lewes vs Charlton Athletic, 2-0. Images by James Boyes.
LEWES SQUAD LIST
| 1 | Tatiana Saunders (GK) |
| 32 | Shanell Salgado (GK) |
| 2 | Ellie Mason |
| 3 | Rhian Cleverly (C) |
| 4 | Amelia Hazard |
| 5 | Nicola Cousins |
| 6 | Ellie Hack |
| 7 | Lucy Ashworth-Clifford |
| 8 | Ellie Noble |
| 9 | Georgia Timms |
| 10 | Freda Ayisi |
| 11 | Heidi Logan |
| 12 | Charley Boswell |
| 14 | Paula Hotwells |
| 15 | Ini Umotong |
| 18 | Rebecca McKenna |
| 19 | Kallie Balfour |
| 20 | Sophie O’Rourke |
| 23 | Izzy Dalton |
| 27 | Zoe Cross |
| 34 | Lara Miller |
WATFORD SQUAD LIST
| 1 | Mia Smith (GK) |
| 2 | Ryah Vyse |
| 3 | Rosie Kmita |
| 4 | Ylenia Priest |
| 5 | Anne Meiwald |
| 6 | Renée Hector |
| 7 | Sarah Wiltshire |
| 8 | Amber-Keegan Stobbs |
| 9 | Anaisa Harney |
| 10 | Helen Ward (C) |
| 11 | Adekite Fatuga-Dada |
| 12 | Leanne Bell |
| 13 | Emma Beckett |
| 14 | Francesca Ali |
| 16 | Gemma Biggadike |
| 17 | Megan Chandler |
| 18 | Rubie Smith |
| 20 | Chiara Meola |
| 21 | Flo Fyfe |
| 22 | Jenna Legg |
| 24 | Ronnell Humes |
| 27 | Corinne Henson |
| 29 | Georgie Ferguson (GK) |
| 35 | Georgia Clifford |
Head Coach – Clinton Lancaster
Assistant Coach – Armand Kavaja
Assistant Coach – Laura Dyer
Goalkeeping Coach – Ilirjan Memaj
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Mikolaj Pujdak
THE VISITORS
Watford are back in the FA Women’s Championship this season, having earned promotion based on their application and impressive on field results in the FA Women’s National League.
The Hornets have plenty of history in the second tier, having been victorious in a regionalised division in 2006/07, while finishing second in 2012/13. The latter was a big factor in Watford being one of the founding clubs of the inaugural WSL 2 (now the Championship) in 2014.
While the Golden Girls would struggle to replicate previous successes, there were still several positive moments. Most noticeably was the first ever game at Vicarage Road (Aston Villa in 2015) – 1,102 turned up to that match, which was the second highest attendance in the league at the time.
With another shake-up of the women’s football pyramid taking place in 2018. Watford’s spell in WSL 2 came to an end when they were not granted a Championship license for the following season.
Watford have bounced back from that disappointment and things are now looking far more positive in Hertfordshire. Lead by Amber Wildgust (General Manager) and Clinton Lancaster (Head Coach), they’ll be aiming to make a bigger impact at this level this time around.
1 Mia Smith | GK | DOB: August 13, 2003
Goalkeeper Mia Smith joined the Hornets after leaving FA Women’s Championship side Bristol City in July 2021.
The shot-stopper was in the first-team squad for Bristol City at Vicarage Road for the Continental Cup final against Chelsea in March 2021.
She also joined the squad on several occasions throughout the season and trained as part of the first-team bubble over the past year.
2 Ryah Vyse | LB | DOB: October 27, 1992
Ryah is a left-sided player who joined the Golden Girls from Tottenham Hotspur, having been a part of their promotion winning squad in 2018/19.
Capable of playing in either defence or a more advanced role, Vyse has been a valuable asset to the Watford squad over the last couple of seasons.
Despite the pandemic impacting fixtures, she’s already reached the 25 appearance mark – now she’ll be looking to use her expertise of this level to help the Hornets in 2021/22.
3 Rosie Kmita | LW | DOB: July 27, 1994
Rosie joined Watford FC Women in September of the 20/21 season and has featured at left back and left wing for the Golden Girls.
Her biggest performance in a Watford shirt so far came in the second round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup where she netted an 18-minute perfect hat-trick.
Kmita won The Hornets’ Women’s Player of the Season Award for 2020/21, in a season where the Golden Girls’ fine form was rewarded with in promotion to the FA Women’s Championship in June 2021.
4 Ylenia Priest | CB | DOB: October 23, 2001
Ylenia joined the Golden Girls in June 2021 after leaving Championship side London City Lionesses.
The promising defender began her career with Millwall Lionesses before joining Arsenal’s academy. She won the Under-16s FA Youth Cup before re-joining Millwall to play regular first-team football as a 17-year-old.
Priest stayed at the level with London City Lionesses and quickly established herself as a key member of the squad, becoming co-captain at just 18.
5 Anne Meiwald | CB | DOB: March 15, 1995
The former Arsenal, Chelsea, London Bees and Spurs defender signed for the Golden Girls in the summer of 2019, after overcoming two ACL injuries.
An established member of the first team, the centre-back adds steel to the backline and also offers a threat in the attacking third when going forward.
Those talents extend to the sand as well as the grass, with Meiwald winning the European Beach Soccer League in the summer of 2021.
6 Renée Hector | CB | DOB: June 21, 1995
Renée Hector re-joined the Golden Girls in February 2020, signing from Charlton Athletic.
Having started her career at Watford, Hector made more than 50 appearances for the club. She was part of the team that finished second in 2012/13, which led to a place in the newly formed WSL 2.
She left to join Tottenham Hotspur in 2016 and helped them to Women’s Super League promotion. Now back with the Hornets, RenĂ©e has been working hard to overcome a serious long-term injury and will be hoping to return to the pitch in 2021/22.
7 Sarah Wiltshire | CAM | DOB: July 7, 1991
The forward is in her second spell with the Golden Girls having first joined as a 17-year-old from Arsenal in 2008, spending six years at the club before leaving in 2014.
Wiltshire went on to play for the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur after her departure. After returning to the Hornets, Wiltshire averaged just under a goal per game in 2020/21.
The talented Welsh international will soon be welcoming another member to her family but is determined to get back on the pitch and make an impact as quickly as possible.
8 Amber-Keegan Stobbs | CAM | DOB: October 21, 1992
Amber-Keegan Stobbs joined the Golden Girls after leaving Crystal Palace in June 2021.
The attacking midfielder began her professional career in America with Washington Spirit before moving to Reading in 2016.
Stobbs went on to play for Everton, West Ham, Charlton and Crystal Palace in a successful career where she has provided the creative spark for many. Now, she’ll be looking to do exactly that for the Hornets.
9 Anaisa Harney | ST | DOB: September 28, 2000
The powerful striker joined Watford in the summer of 2017, after impressing during trials.
Having come up from the Under-23s, Harney went on to play first team football during the 2017/18 season and has regularly been involved since then.
She has developed into a very good centre forward. She is strong, holds the ball up well and has a fierce shot.
10 Helen Ward (C) | ST | DOB: April 26, 1986
Helen Ward began her career at Watford, before spending time with Arsenal, Chelsea and Reading.
The Welsh record goal scorer returned to the Golden Girls in 2017, following the birth of her second child.
She’s already racked up well over a century of goals with the Hornets and the skipper will be looking to add to that tally even further in 2021/22.
11 Adekite Fatuga-Dada | RW | DOB: September 5, 1996
Fatuga-Dada knows the club inside out and is the longest serving player in the squad.
Having been with Watford when she was young, she then made the move to Arsenal where she won the FA Youth Cup, before returning to the Hornets in 2015.
A quick player who can play on the wing or in a more central role, Adekite has continued to improve in recent seasons, and now gets a chance back in the second tier with the Golden Girls.
12 Leanne Bell | RB | DOB: August 18, 1998
Leanne joined the Hornets in the summer of 2017, making the move from Crystal Palace.
A player that’s capable of featuring in either an attacking or more defensive role, her pace and attacking flair is a real asset to the side.
She’s been a regular feature over the last few seasons, already racking up her half-century of appearances.
13 Emma Beckett | CM | DOB: May 29, 1987
An experienced player, Beckett returned for a third spell with Watford, having previously been part of the Spurs side that won promotion from the Championship.
The midfielder has also played for Ireland at international level and can play further back if required.
She talks a lot, possesses the rare ability to play with both feet and adds class and composure to the squad.
14 Francesca Ali | CM | DOB: March 9, 1993
Ali joined the Golden Girls in 2020 having previously spent time at Crystal Palace, Millwall and Leyton Orient.
After a serious injury had kept her out of action for some, the exciting and hard-working midfielder showed exactly what she can offer last season.
She was a regular in the side in 2020/2021 and will now be looking to make an impact again in the Championship.
16 Gemma Biggadike | RB | DOB: August 28, 2000
Gemma was promoted to the first team squad for the 2021/22 season after previously impressing with the Development Team.
Those performances were rewarded with a place in the matchday squad for the Vitality Women’s FA Cup tie against Wolves in April 2021.
The right-back will be looking to continue her progress and take advantage of any further first team opportunities that come her way.
17 Megan Chandler | CM | DOB: October 22, 1993
Megan brings with her a vast amount of experience for her age, having played for the likes of Charlton and Crystal Palace, as well as a stint in America.
She plays in centre midfield, is strong in the tackle and will set her team on the attack with a great range of passing.
The midfielder will also pop up with a screamer or two from outside the box as she has a rocket of a shot on her.
18 Rubie Smith | CM | DOB: October 1, 2001
Having started with the Development Team here at Watford, Rubie has progressed and is now a member of the first team squad.
She made her debut for the Golden Girls in October 2019 and then made her first league appearances in 2020/21.
The talented midfielder will now be looking to take the next step and establish herself as a regular member of the first team.
20 Chiara Meola | CAM | DOB: June 16, 2001
Meola is another success story from the Development Team, where the attacking midfielder averaged more than a goal per game in 2019/20.
Those displays saw her given a chance with the first team, as she made her debut against Kent Football United in the FA WNL Plate.
After making her first league appearance against Durham in August 2021, Chiara will now be looking to build on that during the rest of 2021/22.
21 Flo Fyfe | ST | DOB: May 19, 1998
Versatile forward Flo Fyfe joined Watford in July 2021 following her departure from fellow Championship side London City Lionesses.
Fyfe started her career with Arsenal, where she achieved FA Youth Cup success twice and made her debut for England’s Under-15 side aged just 13.
A thorn in the Hornets’ side when at Oxford United, she’s already shown what she can offer here at Watford, scoring a 30-yarder on debut.
22 Jenna Legg | CM | DOB: June 23, 1997
Watford signed midfielder Legg in July 2021 following her departure from Charlton Athletic. The 23-year-old previously played for Chelsea, where she made her first team debut against the Hornets.
She has plenty of experience in the top two tiers of the game, having also featured for Oxford United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Legg played a key role in the Seagulls’ 2017/18 FA WSL 2 campaign, securing a second-place finish under Hope Powell.
27 Corinne Henson | LW | DOB: August 26, 2003
A recent addition to the squad, 18-year-old Corinne is a talented winger who will certainly cause issues for any defence she comes up against.
Henson is part of the Arsenal Academy and she’s joined up with the Golden Girls on a dual sign agreement.
She made her debut for the Hornets in the away match against Durham and will be looking to gain further first team experience in 2021/22.
29 Georgia Ferguson | GK | DOB: October 29, 2002
Ferguson joined the club in the summer of 2021. The 18-year-old has a good pedigree, having previously been part of the Arsenal Academy set-up.
She impressed on her debut against Durham (August 29, 2021) and will now be looking to hold on to that starting position between the sticks.
It would be understandable if there was a little extra affinity from the fans, with support for Watford running in her family.
35 Georgia Clifford | CB | DOB: October 12, 1998
A ball-playing central-defender who’s capable of playing across the backline, Georgia will be a key addition to Watford’s defence.
She impressed in the FA Women’s National League with Oxford United, winning their Supporters’ Player of the Year award in 2020.
Those performances resulted in a move to Crystal Palace for 2020/21. Clifford will be playing in the Championship again this season, but this time, with Watford.
Hazard lights up the Pan
Written by: Charlie
Lewes 2-0 Charlton Athletic
FA Women’s Championship
Sunday 17th October
Sunday afternoon and the sun found its way to the Dripping Pan, with Lewes v Charlton the only fixture across both the WSL and FA Women’s Championship. Fans were not disappointed as both teams battled for the points in a game in one of the most competitive leagues around this season.
Though it was Charlton who initially drove forward with possession in the opening 10 minutes, for the most part both teams cancelled each out, until midway through the first half when Lewes began to take control, pressing high and on the front foot, with Ini Umotong’s shot met by Charlton keeper Eartha Cummings and the rebound shot sent wide by Howells.
Charlton’s Emma Follis had the best chance to get the Addicks scoring off the ground but the Rooks held tight at the back and it was the other end of the pitch where the action began to flow. An energised Paula Howells took advantage of a Charlton mistake and her intent was clear as she fired home the shot from outside the 18yd box in the 38th minute. Goal Lewes! Paula Howells with a wonderful strike that curled past the keeper and put Lewes ahead a goal to nil.
Less than two minutes had passed on the clock before Amelia Hazard won the ball in midfield and sent a long pass to Heidi Logan who cut in on the right wing, sharply crossing the ball back into the box. Umotong’s toe tipped the ball back for Hazard herself to put away convincingly at 40mins. Her first goal for Lewes!
2-0 to Lewes at half time.
Though Charlton looked dangerous in parts, Hannah Filby picking out Charlton players with long balls forward, the solid Lewes defence took care of any threat and the Charlton efforts form Bethan Roe and Keira Skeels gave Tatiana Saunders little trouble.
Lewes were the team who looked more likely to score in the latter stages of the game, Howells looking to add to her goal tally and shots from Logan giving the crowd plenty to be on their feet for. By this stage, the Glynde & Beddingham Brass Band were in full flow, following up their first half rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) – much appreciated by new Manager, Craig Gill – with the Match of the Day theme tune, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and more crowd-pleasers. Special mention to the trombone that accompanied every goal kick by the Charlton keeper.
The Lewes attacks continued, Kallie Balfour and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford saw out the final 15 mins of the game, both with energy and pace, driving forwards. Perhaps the best late chance being sent just over the bar by a stretching Ini Umotong inside the closing stages.
5 minutes added time passed before the final whistle as cheers rang out around the Dripping Pan.
A clean sheet and the three points in the bag, final score Lewes 2, Charlton 0.
Craig Gill reflects on the win
Newly appointed interim manager for the Rooks, Craig Gill had this to say on the match and on his first few days at the Club…
“I thought the players were superb. They took Wednesday’s Crystal Palace performance into today as as I asked them to, with the energy and the discipline and, executed the game plan superbly well.”
“I think I also have to recognize the staff who have been superb since I came in as well, the coaching from Jesús, Adam’s performance analysis, Christos performance coaching, Kat & Paul with physiotherapy.” Craig added “It’s been really great from everybody across the backroom staff and beyond to the support from the board. And of course, with Kelly Lindsey as the Head of Performance.”
Craig has had a chance to see the transition from training to match with two home games in the first few days of arriving at the club;
“It all bodes well. I’ve I’ve enjoyed my first week here, but this is just the beginning and there’s lots lots more work to do as we progress through the coming weeks.”
Come on You Rooks
___
Line Up:
Saunders, McKenna, Howells, Cleverly, Hack, O’Rourke, Ayisi, Hazard, Dalton, Logan, Umotong
Substitutes:
(77) Ashworth-Clifford for Howells,
(77) Balfour for Logan,
(84) Timms for Ayisi
Substitutes not used: Boswell, Salgado, Cousins, Cross, Noble, Miller
Yellow Cards:
Hack (53)
Lewes’ Anti-gambling Work alongside Gambling with Lives
This week, Lewes and men’s team keeper Lewis Carey, launched our education partnership alongside Gambling with Lives. Carey bravely opened about his own experience to raise awareness.
Click here to read the BBC article on the campaign
FILMING AT TODAY’S GAME
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 match day 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
“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. Lewes 2000 FC Limited is 100% owned by Lewes Community Football Club.
Honorary President Terry Parris
Chairman Stuart Fuller
Directors Ed Briggs, Charlie Dobres, Karen Dobres, Stuart Fuller, John Peel, Ed Ramsden, Claire Rafferty (co-opted), Trevor Wells
Chief Executive Maggie Murphy
General Manager & COVID-19 Officer Lynne Burrell
Operations Manager James Barker
Commercial Manager Ini Umotong
Equality FC Campaign Manager Karen Dobres
Life Members
Mr and Mrs Brook, Vic Blunt, Pat Dartnell, Gary Elphick, Gordon Fowlie, Peter Hiscox RIP, 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 RIP

Manager Simon Parker
Assistant Coach Jesus Cordon
Assistant Coach Ady Penrose
PP Coach Christos Andreou
GK Coach John Macrae
Nutritionist Stefano Montanari
Asst PPC Kayleigh Bonwick
Physio Katrina Martin
Physiotherapist Paul Paredes
Team Psychologist Chelsea Orme
Data Analyst Adam Chilcott
Kitman Jessie Maes
Women’s DS Head Coach David Seymour
Women’s DS Assistant Coach Kavi Luchowa
U16 Girls Head Coach Carl Penfold
U16 Girls Assistant Coach Tim Heal
U14 Girls Head Coach Rob Palmer
U14 Girls Assistant Coach Tom Young
Pathway Co-ordinator Ryan Sullivan
Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editor Stuart Fuller
Progcast Editors Stuart Fuller and Sam Simons
Club Photographer James Boyes
NEXT UP AT THE PAN…
