Sunday 25th September 2022 12PM – Barclays Women’s Championship – The Dripping Pan

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

JOIN THE TEAM

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

Lewes FC’s players will wear warm-up T-shirts in support of suicide prevention charity If U Care Share, ahead of our clash with Sheffield United on Sunday.

September is World Suicide Prevention Month, and If U Care Share is a charity that helps people who are going through crises in their lives, or who have suffered a loss.

Our summer signing Amber-Keegan Stobbs is an ambassador for the charity, and the players were meant to wear the T-shirts before the postponed Blackburn game earlier this month.

Now they will don the T-shirts during the warm-up at the Dripping Pan on Sunday.

“If U Care Share was started in 2005 by brother’s Matthew (age 10) Ben (age five) and cousin Sarah (age 12) after Daniel sadly took his own life at the age of 19,” says Amber.

“Their aim is to spread awareness and support, to prevent anyone feeling the pain their family felt when they lost Daniel.

“I’m an ambassador for them and work with them to fundraise, spread awareness and have hosted workshops with WSL Academies and youth football teams.”

If you are suffering and are seeking help, please call If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661. Fans can also donate to If u Care Share, either with a one-off donation or a direct debit.

NOTES FROM THE CHAIR

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

It feels good to say we are still unbeaten after three games, although we are yet to get that first win. Any good manager will tell you that if you stop the opposition from scoring, you are likely to win more games than you lose. We’ve build a very strong defensive unit for this season and it is no surprise that we have kept two clean sheets from our first three games.

Our visitors today certainly had their shooting boots on last week, putting eight past Coventry United. Let’s hope they’ve left that form back in Yorkshire for today!

Last week we had an excellent crowd of over 650 here for the game against London City Lionesses. I know that is an excellent attendance, but how does it compare to other sides in the division? To be honest, I don’t know as finding the numbers is near on impossible for some reason. As standard in the Men’s game, attendances are announced alongside the score line but for some reason clubs in the Women’s game won’t announce the attendance. It is therefore hard to gauge externally what progress the game in general is making. We will be one of the better supported teams in the Championship for sure – it would be just nice to know how other clubs are doing.

Don’t forget we start our Continental Cup campaign next Sunday with the visit here of Charlton Athletic.

Come on you Rooks!

Stuart

SCOTT’S THOUGHTS

Lewes FC boss Scott Booth spoke to Joe Short about today’s game and that the fans turning up to the Dripping Pan for Sunday’s 12 noon clash with Sheffield United are in for a treat, as the Rooks seek to extend the unbeaten start to the season to four games

Booth’s side are just one of two left unbeaten after three games in the Women’s Championship, and host a Blades side on Sunday that is already picking up speed.

Despite being unbeaten, last week’s 0-0 draw with London City Lionesses means Lewes are also seeking a first win of the campaign.

And Booth says the players are raring to go once more.

“We’re really looking forward to this one. A home game, in front of our fans. It’s always exciting to play at the Dripping Pan, on a fantastic pitch, with our supporters in full voice. And we’re up against a side in Sheffield United who have done really well so far,” says Booth.

“The unbeaten start is really unusual. I don’t think I’ve ever been with a team that has started a season with three draws, playing or managing.

“But the fact we’re unbeaten is great. We haven’t lost a lot of goals, look tight at the back and have been consistent defensively. Of course a win is what you’re looking for each time you go out and play, so in that respect we’re a bit frustrated that we haven’t managed to get those three points yet.

“But we take the positives from the fact we’re still undefeated.”

Despite a valiant effort, the Rooks couldn’t force a winner at home against London City Lionesses last weekend. But Booth has been impressed with a number of his players so far this season.

“We had a number of good performances against London City,” he says. “I felt Amber Stobbs once again played really well, while Sophie (Whitehouse) has been great from day one this season.

“There are a few others in there as well – but I don’t think we as a team played as well as we know we can last week.

“We felt a bit frustrated at that because we felt if we could have played better football we could have picked up the win. It was a very even match and I think that’s the reality of it.”

Focus on Sheffield United
Lewes beat Sheffield United 3-1 in South Yorkshire last season, with Ini Umotong, Paula Howells and Lucy Ashworth-CLifford bagging the goals.

In the reverse fixture, the Blades got the better of Lewes at the Dripping Pan to secure a 2-0 result.

Head coach Neil Redfearn oversaw an 8-0 victory against Coventry United last Sunday. But Blades defender Charlotte Newsham has warned the second-placed team in the league aren’t getting ahead of themselves.

“We’ll carry on building on the last few weeks of training,” Newsham told Sheffield United’s club website. “After a big win, everyone’s buzzing, but Redders will bring us back down to earth. It’s a long trip and a tough game, so we will just train and prepare as normal and keep doing what we’re doing.”

Fans ‘support us through thick and thin’
Booth, meanwhile, is hoping to use Sunday’s fixture as a springboard to further success this season.

“There are definitely some things we’re trying to iron out but the players are generally well settled,” says the Rooks manager.

“Remember we’re only three games into the season, and we had a relatively short pre-season. So there are things we have to work on, that’s for sure – the staff and the players know that.

“We know not to get carried away with anything when it goes well because there’s still a long way to go. We have to make sure we work hard on the things that will make us better, a better team and better people.”

Lewes had another bumper crowd of 679 at the Pan last weekend for the Lionesses clash. And Booth says he’ll never get tired of the incredible atmosphere generated by our supporters.

“The Pan is an amazing place when the fans are as close as they are,” says the boss. “They support us through thick and thin and the noise in the stadium is incredible.

“I know that the players really enjoy having such close contact with our supporters. And I’ll always urge everyone to come down – for this Sunday and for every game – to enjoy good football and get behind a team that they can be proud of.”

DEALING WITH THE SOCIAL MEDIA TROLLS THE LEWES & CURVE WAY

BARCLAYS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDUP – WEEK 3

Newcomers Southampton picked up their first Barclays Women’s Championship win with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Durham beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1, Charlton Athletic saw off Birmingham 3-0, and Sheffield United won 8-0 against Coventry United.

Bristol City continued their perfect start with a 1-0 win over Sunderland while Lewes and London City Lionesses played out a 0-0 draw.

Southampton off the mark

Saints took an early lead through Lexi Lloyd-Smith in the fifth minute before Coral Haines earned a deserved goal for Palace in the first minute of injury time to make it all square at the break. 

Lloyd-Smith bagged a brace just after the restart with both goalkeepers put to work but Palace were unable to continue their unbeaten run.

Both sides traded chances as Katie Wilkinson rattled the crossbar for Southampton before Kayla Rendell remained calm in the visitors’ goal as the Saints held on for all three points. 

Durham pick up first win of season

Saoirse Noonan scored twice as Durham earned their first win of the Barclays Women’s Championship season with a 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Maiden Castle.

Noonan’s double, which came either side of a Sarah Robson strike, proved enough for all three points despite Saffron Jordan’s finish for the Lancashire side.

Rio Hardy came close to adding a fourth but the forward fired Beth Hepple’s free kick against the post.

Charlton ease past Birmingham

Ella Rutherford put in a player of the match performance to give Charlton Athletic a 3-0 win over Birmingham City in the Barclays Women’s Championship.

The Addicks took the win at The Valley thanks to two first-half goals, first from Rutherford and then through Angela Addison.

The third came courtesy of an own goal by Birmingham City keeper Lucy Thomas following a long-range effort from Rutherford.

Sheffield United find free-scoring form in Coventry win

Sheffield United recorded their biggest Barclays Women’s Championship win with an 8-0 triumph over Coventry United at Bramall Lane.

It was a strong attacking performance from the Blades, with doubles from Maddy Cusack and Mia Enderby and further efforts from Grace Riglar, Rhema Lord-Mears, Charlotte Newsham, and Bex Rayner.

The result saw the visiting Coventry fall to a third straight defeat while United are second in the table after three games.

Bristol City on top after continuing perfect start against Sunderland

Shania Hayles’ cool finish sent Bristol City top of the Barclays Women’s Championship as they edged out Sunderland 1-0.

It was looking like City would leave the Robins High Performance Centre frustrated by the visitors as they went in search of their third win in three.

But Hayles’ calm second-half effort, her second goal for the Robins since her summer move from top-flight side Aston Villa, beat Claudia Moan and secured all three points

INTRODUCING OUR VISITORS FROM SHEFFIELD UNITED

THE HISTORY

In his role as Sheffield United’s Community Officer, Tony Currie founded a female team called Sheffield Hallam United in 1993. When this team folded after five seasons, one of Currie’s coaches Andy Keenan began hosting sessions for Year Five girls in Heeley. Despite only five players attending the first training session, they entered a local youth league in 1998–99 as Sheffield United Community Girls.

In 2002, an adult East Midlands Regional Women’s Football League club called Sheffield Inter (formerly Inter Owls) were close to folding and Sheffield United Community Girls and Ladies successfully bid to take their place in 2002–03. Under new manager Derek Baxby the club finished 5th in its first season, 3rd in its second season and then finished as runners-up to Derby County in 2004–05.

The 2005-06 season remains United’s perfect season winning every league and league cup game played to gain promotion to the old Midland Combination. Top scorer Jodie Snelson scored a remarkable 75 goals that season and went on to be a leading goalscorer for Lincoln City and Sheffield FC. The ‘double’ was completed with a League Cup final victory over Steel City Wanderers.

Following seasons were a rollercoaster, a successful reserve team was added but a number of players were lost to rival clubs in leagues above and a rebuilding project was put in place.

Since 2008 the first team have only really had three managers and a great period of stability has ensued. The 2009 League Cup was secured, as was the Charter Standard. Junior teams have also enjoyed success, particularly the 2007 U12s team, who won their Sheffield and Hallamshire league nearly every year up to and including their completion in junior football with the 2013 title as an U18s team. That team was under the guidance of Tony Santoro, who now is club secretary.

The senior team gained promotion in 2012 having won the last 16 games of the season to clinch another League and Cup double, thus returning the club to Combination League level before the pyramid restructure in light of the creation of the Women’s Super League.

For the 2014 campaign, United were put into the FA Premier Northern League One but had a poor season and were relegated for only the second time in their history.

A ground relocation to Swallownest Miners Welfare in 2015 coincided with a new season back in the North East Premier. Manager Dan O’Hearne’s team finished fifth before the decision to move regions and return to the old happy hunting grounds of the East Midland Premier was made.

In 2018 the club took their place in the FA Women’s Championship, opening their campaign with a win at Aston Villa. In that first season they finished a credible 5th place. The following season they were in 2nd place when the season was terminated due to COVID. Last season they finished in 7th place.

THE SQUAD

THE LAST MEETINGS

17th Nov 2019	Championship	Lewes	1	Sheffield United	2
18th Oct 2020	Championship	Sheffield United	0	Lewes	0
24th Jan 2021	Championship	Lewes	0	Sheffield United	2
21st Nov 2021	Championship	Sheffield United	1	Lewes	3
3rd April 2022	Championship	Lewes	0	Sheffield United	2

MOORE THAN JUST A KEEPER

New Lewes FC goalkeeper Emily Moore tells Joe Short she’s already setting in well at the club following her move to the Dripping Pan from Canada at the start of this season.

Moore was on the bench for the Rooks during last weekend’s 0-0 draw with London City Lionesses, and arrives at the Pan having been on West Ham’s books last term.

The goalkeeper, 23, was back in Canada over the summer playing for her home club Victoria Highlanders when she got the call from Lewes.

And Moore says she’s raring to go this season.

“I’ve been aware of Lewes since I started looking for a club in December. I joined West Ham but in the summer was trying to find a new club and spoke to Kelly Lindsey,” says Moore.

“It worked for me to come on trial and as soon as I got here I just fell in love with the town.

“I knew about the Equality FC side of Lewes because of my earlier research. I was trying to figure out what the club was all about, and it’s really inspired me.

‘There’s always someone there for you’
“It’s crazy to think it’s the first club to pay the men and women equally. I love the community feel here, and it shows within the games. How everyone supports the club, supports the players and staff. Whatever anyone needs, there’s always someone there for you.”

Moore was playing in a tournament in Montreal when she got the confirmation she’d be heading to East Sussex this summer. But first she had to dash back home near the west-coast city of Vancouver.

“I got here after a crazy few days in Canada. The first few days were a blur. I had to fly to Montreal, and then fly back to Vancouver – a five-hour flight – and then the same day I flew over to the UK. I was very discombobulated when I got here!” she says.

“The team has been super welcoming. There’s the same feeling within the team that the community as a whole has.

“The day I flew in I went to a men’s game and that was really cool, to see the Pan full of fans and so loud.

“It was cool to see a more “English” feel to the game. It’s different when the fans are so close to the field, I really like that.”

Champion keeper at British Colombia
Moore began her youth career at Victoria Highlanders before spending five years at UBC Thunderbirds while studying for a university degree.

After graduating having won the nationals and being named graduating athlete of the year, Moore got a place in the West Ham set-up.

Discussing her playing style, the keeper said: “I’m pretty vocal out there but am not of the breed of goalkeeper who is argumentative.

“I’m calm and don’t care about getting involved with all the stuff beside the football, like pushing around and arguing with the ref. I just want to play my game – calm, cool and collective with how I play.

“One thing that really attracted me to Lewes was that I feel I can develop here and be myself as a keeper. I can focus on my development and how I want to succeed in the Women’s Championship.

“I’m looking forward to that – the Championship right now is wide open and anyone could win it. So it’s really an exciting opportunity that we as a team have to make a mark this season.”

Lewes’ famous matchday posters have also caught Moore’s well-trained eye, having graduated from the University of British Colombia with a degree in visual arts and graphic design.

“I find them hilarious!” says Moore. “Funnily enough I’ve already been over to Rhian’s place and they have a whole wall of the posters. They’re pretty funny some of them, others are really ‘out there’.”

Everyone at Lewes FC would like to welcome Emily to the Dripping Pan.

ENGLAND TO CELEBRATE 50th ANNIVERSARY IN THE GAME VERSUS USA

England will celebrate the women’s senior team’s 50th anniversary during the international game against the United States at Wembley next month, reports the BBC.

Members of England’s inaugural team of 1972 will line up with the current Lionesses prior to kick-off.

More than 100 former internationals are expected to attend the sold-out fixture on Friday, 7 October.

“It is great we can say thank you to the Lionesses legends,” England manager Sarina Wiegman said.

“We are all grateful to the former generation of players who have paved the way for today’s growth and success.”

Players from the 1972 team, who played in England’s first full international against Scotland – a 3-2 win in Greenock, near Glasgow – will also receive a bespoke England cap as part of the evening’s celebrations.

The FA banned women’s football in 1921, a time when the women’s game was attracting crowds of 53,000, and it wasn’t until nearly 50 years later when the FA rescinded that ban in 1970.

Wiegman, who led England to victory at the 2022 Women’s European Championships this summer, added: “All of them represented their country with so much talent but also fought so hard on and off the pitch to break barriers and make the women’s game what it now is.

“The players today also know the challenges they faced and appreciate everything that has been done to give them the opportunities they now have.”

At half-time, all former players, who have been identified through a research programme commissioned by the FA, will be invited pitchside to be celebrated by the crowd.

Also in line with the 50th anniversary, the England women’s team adopt the men’s tradition of legacy numbers which sees players who have represented the country at a senior level receive their own unique number.

These legacy numbers will be announced in November and will be worn on matchday shirts from 2023 onwards.

Kay Cossington, head of women’s technical at the FA, said: “The USA game will be a fantastic chance to celebrate and thank all the Lionesses who have worn the shirt with pride since 1972.

“The FA is indebted to every former player, all of whom are valued members of the ‘England family’. The summer’s success and sell-out crowds at Wembley Stadium would not be possible without them and we hope they can reflect on the role they have played and they enjoy their evening.”

LEWES 0 LONDON CITY LIONESSES 0 – SUN 18th SEPT

The points were shared at The Dripping pan this afternoon, as the Lionesses were held to a 0-0 draw against Lewes (report from London City Lionesses)

Heading into the match, the big talking point was the return of Carly Girasoli to the starting 11, her first of the season.

From the whistle, it was clear she, and the rest of the backline, were going to be for a really physical contest.

Going forward, City’s forwards were always going to be in for a competitive afternoon, yet in the opening minutes, Jamie-Lee Napier and Karin Muya were already causing problems for the Lewes defence.

At the other end, Shae Yanez was kept busy between the sticks, rising to come and collect several dangerous balls into the box.

The first half was one where the midfield battle proved crucial, with Amy Rodgers winning the ball high up and playing in Atlanta Primus, who the Rooks struggled to contain.

The best effort of the half came from Lois Joel, who’s outside the box shot was struck well, but the keeper was able to get a hand to it.

Indeed the second half began in much the same vein, with Joel having another shot fired towards goal, but this time it was just over.

Primus also continued to be a threat, with her shot rattling off the crossbar, reminding the home side of just how dangerous she is.

At the other end, Yanez again was kept busy, commanding the box to ensure the Lewes set plays caused no problems.

With an hour gone, Shanade Hopcroft and Sarah Ewens were brought on to continue to pile pressure on the Lewes defence.

Just a few minutes later another opportunity to take the fell to the Lionesses, with Napier making another determined run down the line and getting her shot away, yet once again Sophie Whitehouse between the sticks was able to save it.

The rest of the half continued to be just as competitive as the first, with chances few are far between for both sides.

Yet there proved to be late drama for the Lionesses, with Lily Agg dismissed following her second yellow card.

The final few minutes proved to be a real test of the backline’s nerve, with Player of the Match, Harley Bennett marshalling the team into shape to ensure City went home with a point.

RECORDS CONTINUE TO BE BROKEN IN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Last weekend the San Diego Wave broke in their new Snapdragon Stadium by setting a National Women’s Soccer League attendance record on Saturday night as more than 32,000 fans watched a 1-0 win over fellow expansion side Angel City, reports Andrew Keatts for the Guardian.

The record-breaking crowd is part of a trend in 2022 after Barcelona twice broke the worldwide mark for a women’s match this year, most recently with a 91,648 strong crowd in April.

The Wave crowd, meanwhile, topped the 25,000 ticket-holders who attended a Portland Thorns game in 2019 to set the NWSL record, all while watching the first-year club return to the top of the league table.

Before moving into Snapdragon Stadium – constructed by San Diego State University, primarily for the use of its football team – the Wave’s home for their inaugural season had been nearby Torero Stadium, capacity 6,000.

The team said it sold those games out, but their plan to move to the brand new, 32,000-capacity stadium across town nonetheless caught many by surprise.

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said the record-breaking crowd offered a “proof of concept”.

“People will value our league the way we value ourselves,” she said. “If you play in small stadiums, it looks like we’re not a real professional league, and it will be hard to command the kind of respect and credibility that we want. We showed up in a 32,000-seat stadium a lot of people were like, ‘That’s a lot of seats to fill,’ particularly when San Diego was playing in a 6,000 seat stadium. Jill Ellis called me at the beginning of the summer and said, ‘We are going to sell it out.’”

Snapdragon Stadium was still under construction in May, when the Wave started their inaugural season, leaving the team to start its existence in the smaller Torero Stadium. Splitting the season between two stadiums also meant they couldn’t sell season tickets this year.

That meant the team needed to push single-game tickets to their new stadium debut with a purpose, an effort Ellis hopes to pay off with season tickets for next year. She said she’s expecting the team to settle into a sustainable attendance area around 15,000 to 20,000 a night next year, comparable to Angel City and the Thorns.

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

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 2nd OCTOBER 2022 2:00PM KICK-OFF

THE CONTINENTAL TYRES LEAGUE CUP

TICKETS ON SALE NOW