Sunday 18th September 2022 2PM – The Barclays Women’s Championship – The Dripping Pan

Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s Barclays Women’s Championship game against London City Lionesses. Here is your complimentary e-programme

JOIN THE TEAM

NOTES FROM THE CHAIR

Good afternoon and welcome to The Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s Barclay’s Championship game against London City Lionesses. I hope our visitors had a problem-free journey down from South East London and enjoy our hospitality off the pitch.

It has been three weeks since we last played. Naturally, as a club we have expressed our condolences to the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and will again today mark the occasion with a period of reflective silence but there was significant debate as to whether matches at all levels of the game should have been postponed. The Queen was the patron of the Football Association, and the decision to postpone all games was made by them, taking the matter out of our hands and that of the Isthmian League. Other sports, notably cricket and rugby went ahead with impeccably delivered tributes to The Queen’s memory. As a side note, thank you to Lynne and Maggie for their hard work in moving our travel arrangements from the scheduled game at Blackburn Rovers.

The previous week was an international break and we were all extremely proud of Rebecca McKenna and Ellie Mason in their presence in the Northern Ireland squad. You can read Rebecca’s views on the game against Luxembourg, where she scored the winner, later in this progcast. Since our last game we’ve brought in Charleyann Pizzarello, who has five caps for Gibraltar, to add to our international flavour in the squad.

Three weeks ago we had over 1,100 here for the game against Southampton and we hope for another big attendance today. The support for the team is a key favour in a very competitive league – we’ve gained two draws so far from teams who we expect to be challenging at the top of the table, and with last season’s runners up here today, we expect another similar tough game, but your presence and support can make a huge difference.

Come on you Rooks!

Stuart

SCOTT’S THOUGHTS

Having played out a 2-2 draw with Southampton in front of a bumper crowd of 1,119 three weeks ago, the Rooks are finally back in action at the Pan.

The break has given us an opportunity to make sure the players have rested up more, and at the same time work on a few more things in training.

We were able to have an in-house game where we worked on a few things, which gave us a chance to give some more detailed feedback to the players.

New faces in the squad
We’ve welcomed two new players to the club this week, with Zoe Smith and Charlyann Pizzarello arriving. The duo have already gotten to know their team-mates fairly well, and we have high hopes for both players this season.

They’re going to really help us. They give us a lot more depth in the squad, which we’ve not really had. But now we’ve got a much deeper squad. They’re players who bring something a bit different to the team.

Charlyann has a great left foot and can play up and down that side, pretty much anywhere. When she’s fully settled in she will be a great addition for us, whilst Zoe’s young and ambitious, and wants to be a regular first-team player at some point. She will develop and give us that depth we need in the midfield area.

Focus on London City
It’s not especially different in our prep. We normally work through games in the same way, we’ve plenty of video footage of the opposition, we know roughly what formations and systems they’ve worked, what they might play against us.

You’ve got to be aware of any changes they might make on the day but we’ve done a lot of work on them. It’s that combination of working in training while also continuing to try and improve yourselves – that’s the key.

Support the team at the Pan!
Three weeks ago we played out an entertaining draw with Southampton at the Dripping Pan, with another bumper crowd roaring the Rooks and there was a real positive impact from the crowd on the players, and hope to welcome another vocal following to the Pan this Sunday.

Getting back to the Pan will be great. The Southampton game was amazing because it had been such a long time in the process, watching for weeks and weeks the pitch being laid. We didn’t really get that many opportunities to train on it, so it was still very new when we have the first league game against Southampton.

It’s great to be at the Pan with a brilliant crowd. And the crowd is hugely important. They’re really up close and you can feel their presence. It’s massive for us and gives us that boost we need.

Come on you Rooks!

Scott

DEALING WITH THE SOCIAL MEDIA TROLLS THE LEWES & CURVE WAY

INTRODUCING OUR VISITORS FROM LONDON CITY LIONESSES

THE HISTORY

London City Lionesses, founded in June 2019, is a fully professional women’s football club, based at Princes Park Stadium, Dartford. The team currently competes in the Barclays Women’s Championship, the second tier of domestic women’s football in England, with ambitions and a plan to gain promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League. It is the first independent fully professional women’s club in London.

THE SQUAD

THE LAST MEETINGS

27th Oct 2019	Championship	London City Lionesses	3	Lewes	0
4th Oct 2020	Championship	London City Lionesses	0	Lewes	1
14th Feb 2021	Championship	Lewes	2	London City Lionesses	3
12th Sept 2021	Championship	Lewes	1	London City Lionesses	0
14th April 2022	Championship	London City Lionesses	1	Lewes	0

MATCH WINNER MCKENNA URGES TEAM MATES TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE IRISH SEA

Rebecca McKenna has urged Northern Ireland players offered the opportunity to play for English or Scottish clubs to “take it with both hands” in an interview with the BBC during the international break.

McKenna, who hit Northern Ireland’s winner in the 2-1 win in Luxembourg on Friday, moved from Linfield to Lewes last year.

“When I got the opportunity I was scared about leaving home because it’s such a big move,” said McKenna, 21.

“But if you get the opportunity, you should take it.”

McKenna added: “When you go away, it shows you can become a better player.”

McKenna’s late winner in Friday’s World Cup qualifier came after the hosts had threatened to snatch a draw as Amy Thompson 80th-minute strike cancelled out Sarah McFadden’s first-half Northern Ireland goal before the Luxembourg goalscorer was immediately sent off for her celebration after briefly taking her shift off, which led to a second booking.

McKenna winner a rehearsed move

The Northern Ireland matchwinner revealed that her goal, as she was played in by Julie Nelson, had been a rehearsed training-ground move.

“Practising throughout the week and when it’s going well in training, you bring that into the game and it gives you confidence and that’s what it did for me last night,” said the former Linfield player.

“We’ve been working on different patterns throughout the week and I saw my chance and thought ‘why not?’ and thankfully it paid off.

“It’s always a special feeling scoring for your country but to get the winner and contribute towards getting the three points was quite special,” added McKenna after Northern Ireland had earned victory in their first game since the Euro 2022 Finals in England.

Kenny Shiels’ side misfired in the first half as the match was goalless at the break before McFadden headed the visitors into the lead on 52 minutes.

“In the first half, we just got frustrated with ourselves because we knew things weren’t going as well as they should have,” continued the Lewes defender.

“But we made a good response in the second half and all the subs that came on made an impact and changed the game.”

Despite that, McKenna said there was a sense of disappointment within the squad at their display.

“That shows how far we’ve come as a group. This time last year we probably would have been celebrating those three points but we know we can perform a lot better.”

While Northern Ireland’s hopes of qualification for the World Cup Finals were ended earlier this year, McKenna says the squad will be determined to end their campaign on a winning note by beating Group D’s bottom side Latvia away on Tuesday.

“We just have to come together as a squad and finish the group on a high and hopefully get another three points.”

Fellow Rook Ellie Mason was also in the squad for the most recent Northern Ireland games for the first time.

LEWES 2 SOUTHAMPTON 2 – 28th AUGUST 2022

Goals from Amelia Hazard and Ellie Hack helped earn Lewes a point from the Rooks’ first home game of the 2022/23 Women’s Championship season against Southampton on Sunday, reports Joe Short.

Hazard put Scott Booth’s side in front with a delightful finish into the bottom right-hand corner after quick build-up play from Emily Kraft down the left.

Hack then make it two before the break when rising first to head home from among a crowd of bodies during a well-worked corner routine.

But the Rooks couldn’t hold on in the second half as first Ella Morris and then Laura Rafferty hit back for Saints within seven minutes, to force a draw.

Premier League trophy on show
Paula Howells, Amber Stobbs, Ellie Mason also went close for the Rooks from distance but Lewes couldn’t find the elusive third goal to reclaim the lead.

And at the other end, Megan Collet crushed the crossbar late on to come within inches of snatching all three points for Saints.

The Pan was packed with 1,119 fans in attendance to welcome the Rooks back for the new season, and supporters also had the chance to see the Premier League trophy and meet England icon Fara Williams.

And it was also the first opportunity for the Dripping Pan’s grounds staff to use the new sprinkler system on the newly-laid turf.

‘We deserved the lead’ – Booth
After the game Booth said: “Obviously we were very good in the first half – we looked a real threat, had good energy and deserved the lead when we were 2-0 up at half-time.

“But in the second half, we weren’t able to bring that kind of football into the game at all. That was the main difference.”

Lewes XI: Whitehouse, Mason, Stobbs, Hack, McKenna, Johnson, Howells, Hazard, Dalton, Thompson, Kraft.

Subs used: Copus-Brown (for Hazard, 50′), Longhurst (for Thompson, 69′), Palmer (for Stobbs, 81′)

IT WAS GREAT TO BE BACK…

MEET OUR NEW ROOKS

Lewes FC have signed Gibraltar international Charlyann Pizzarello.

Pizzarello, 25, enjoyed a stellar college career when studying in the United States, and also spent part of last season at Malaga City.

Discussing her arrival, Pizzarello said: “I’ve always known Lewes has been a community-orientated team with plenty of support, and it was the closeness and togetherness of the team that really attracted me.

“I knew about Lewes through Ellie Mason when she came to the Gibraltar national team camp. She told me about the club and it’s been at the back of my mind ever since. I did my research and found out about Equality FC, the only club to pay the men and women equally, and that we’re fan-owned. It’s an amazing ethos and I wanted to be part of it.”

Pizzarello can play left-back or left wing, and describes herself as an “aggressive player” always looking to surge forward.

Discussing what she will bring to the Dripping Pan, she said: “I really like attacking. I don’t like sitting back and parking the bus or anything like that. I like to be on the go.

“And I’m also very protective of my teammates – if one of my girls gets hurt I’m going to support them, try and score a goal!

“I headed back to Gibraltar after my studies and played in Spain. I played for Malaga City Academy and I grew a lot as a player there. That was my foundation that set me up for moving on to this part of my career.

“I went to train with Rayo Vallecano for pre-season and then I decided to head to England and Lewes.”

Lewes FC are also delighted to announce the signing of Wales youth international Zoe Smith.

Smith, 18, joins the Rooks after coming though the youth ranks in Wales. The midfielder began her career at Sully FC before playing for Barry Town United and most recently Cardiff City Ladies.

Discussing her move, Smith said: “I knew that out of the Championship clubs that Lewes are the most community-orientated. It’s great at this club, I really enjoy it here and compared to some friends who I know who have gone to other clubs, there’s not that community aspect.

“I’ve fitted in seamlessly here. The girls have been great and it’s a really nice club to be at.

“The whole community aspect of Lewes FC, with everyone getting involved, is great. I watched the Southampton game and it was amazing to see the crowd. It was absolutely insane! The amount of people down for the first home game of the season was just incredible.”

Midfielder Smith is also studying politics just down the road at the University of Brighton. Having been accepted on the course, she says she can’t wait to kick on with her football career as well.

“I’ve been looking for a challenge,” Smith said. “Regardless of the club, I was always going to study here but I wanted to push onto bigger and better clubs like Lewes, so that’s really worked out!”

Rooks fans may not know much about Smith right now. But she’s certain they’ll quickly learn what type of footballer she is once she’s graced the Dripping Pan.

“I’m a fairly quiet player on the pitch. It’s not that I don’t talk but I like to do the simple things right and don’t mind going unnoticed,” Smith said.

“I like to keep the game simple and calm, make sure the technical side is right, and stick to the game plan.

“I’ve played for Wales since U15 level and currently representing them at U19. I’m really enjoying it with Wales. It’s a great set-up and I’m really grateful to be representing my country. I don’t take this for granted at all. It’s a big thing for me and I really enjoy it.”

THE 2022/23 BARCLAYS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

YOUR 2022/23 LEWES SQUAD

Squad No.	Name	Sponsored By
1	Sophie Whitehouse	Nathan Smith
2	Ellie Mason	Scott Currie2
3	Rhian Cleverly	The Happiness Index
4	Amelia Hazard	Dawn Harding
6	Ellie Hack	Little Stars Childcare
7	Nat Johnson	Alice, Tom & Russ Mould
8	Grace Palmer
9	Emily Kraft	Michael Wirtz
10	Amber Keegan Stobbs	Bill Lynch
11	Emma Thompson	Mark Comford
12	Charlyann Pizzarello
14	Paula Howells	Bruce Taylor
17	Zoe Smith
18	Rebecca McKenna	Leschenault Press & The Book Reality Experience
19	Lauren Heria	Alex Lambeth
20	Libby Copus-Brown	Joe Short
22	Josie Longhurst	Martin Scott
23	Izzy Dalton	Leschenault Press & The Book Reality Experience
26	Emily Moore
31	Laura Hartley	Michael Scoates
32	Frankie Angel

GUESTS AT TODAY’S GAME

We’re delighted to have sculptor Amanda Cotton with us today. Amanda created ‘Inexorable’ – the 8 feet high statue located to the right of the Fries Van alongside the Mountfield Road wall. The one tonne piece is made of marine concrete and depicts 18^th century pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read who dressed as boys to join pirate ships, and ended up commandeering vessels around Jamaica, leaving a trail of stolen treasure, adventures and jilted lovers in their wake. The two fell in love with each other, but had very distinct personalities, which Cotton has sought to convey in her work. If you have any questions about the statue or want to know more, Amanda will be by Inexorable from 1.30 until kick off to chat to Rooks fans about the sculpture and why she has gifted it to Lewes FC for a season.

Please give a warm welcome to local choir Angels with Attitude who have come along to open proceedings today.  They will start off with Redemption Song by the great Bob Marley.

The Angels are ‘a welcoming and relaxed choir which celebrates the joy of singing’. Choir Leader Ali Bishop says ‘New folks are always welcome, and we meet Thursday evenings. Do get in touch if you’d like to join in’. Ali can be reached on 07788720408

We’ll also have the amazing Pentacle Drummers with us today! The ‘Lords of the Earthen Drum’ will pound the team onto the pitch with spirit and energy, and rumour has it they will be dressed as pirates in honour of our statue.

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 Barclays 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
Chair Stuart Fuller
Directors Sue Anstiss MBE (co-opted), Ed Briggs, Scott Currie, Karen Dobres, Stuart Fuller, Lucy Mills, John Peel, Claire Rafferty (co-opted), Sally Taplin, Trevor Wells
Chief Executive Officer Maggie Murphy
Club Secretary John Peel
Fan Engagement Officer Shrey Nilvarna
Financial Director Biram Desai
Operations Manager James Barker

Equality FC Campaign Manager Karen Dobres

Life Members
Peter Brook, Dorothy Brook RIP, Vic Blunt, Pat Dartnell, Gary Elphick, Gordon Fowlie, Peter Hiscox RIP, Billy Nixon, Derrick Parris RIP, 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 Scott Booth
Assistant Manager Nat Haigh
PP Coach Christos Andreou
GK Coach Daniel Matraszek
Nutritionist Stefano Montanari
Physiotherapist Katrina Martin & Lydia Woodland
Team Psychologist Chelsea Orme
Data Analyst Adam Chilcott
Sporting Director Kelly Lindsey

General Manager Lynne Burrell

Women’s DS Head Coach Andy Corrigan

Pathway Co-ordinator Ryan Sullivan

Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editor Stuart Fuller
Progcast Editors Stuart Fuller
Club Photographer James Boyes

NEXT UP AT THE PAN….

SUNDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 2022 12:00PM KICK-OFF

THE BARCLAY’S WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

TICKETS ON SALE NOW