Sunday 26th February 2023 2:00pm – Fifth Round of The Vitality Women’s FA Cup – The Dripping Pan

Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s Fifth Round of Vitality Women’s FA Cup game against Cardiff City. Here is your complimentary e-programme

JOIN THE TEAM

NOTES FROM THE CHAIR

Good afternoon and welcome to The Dripping Pan for this historic Vitality Women’s FA Cup tie against Cardiff City. I’d like to welcome the players, fans, management and officials from South Wales. I hope you enjoy our hospitality and have a safe journey back down the M4 later.

The winner today will progress into the last eight of the competition for the first time in their history, and an opportunity for a plum tie against one of the Super League clubs. Whilst that is a tantalising prize, we have to keep our eyes on the next 90 minutes.

Our form has been excellent here, which was why the result against Birmingham City a couple of weeks ago was a surprise. We are still in touching distance, with our games in hand, with Southampton, who are in 3rd place at the moment. A strong end to our league season, starting with our game versus Bristol City here next week, is the goal, with a record-breaking league position finish.

One aspect that was impressive was another bumper crowd for the Birmingham game, over 700 again. I know ticket sales have been good again this week so I hope that those of you who are new to the Pan enjoy your afternoon and come back to see us again soon.

Let’s get behind the team and make some noise today! Come on you Rooks!

Stuart

From the dugout – Scott Booth

We’ve had a good week, we’ve had pretty good numbers for training. We’ve had to work a lot on things we want to bring to the game Sunday.

The players have been great and we’ve now got the internationalists back – they’ve all trained now as well so we’re in good shape.

I think we’ve learned that we have to start well in this competition, start on the front foot, be aggressive in these games, take your chances.

I suppose that counts for every match you go into but in the cup you only get one go at it really so we’re proud to be where we are but definitely want more.

We know quite a lot about Cardiff we’ve watched them and understand how they want to play. They’ve got some really good players and we know it’ll be tough.

They’ve got quality and we have to do our best to nullify that and make sure we can bring our own quality to the game.

It’ll be amazing to go through because it gives the club a platform that we haven’t had before, and gets the clubs values out there even more.

For the players, they get a touch of history at Lewes and it would be great to look forward to the next round and see what comes out the hat.

It’s always important to gain momentum as well, we had a little bit of it at one point, going really well, and then we lost a game that we shouldn’t have and that’s dropped it a bit.

We’re really keen to gain that again, we have had some tough games, they’ve not been easy, they’ve been against teams at the top.

They’re always going to be competitive and you need to play at your best and take your chances to win them.

We look forward to the cup because it’s the first time the club have got the chance to get into the next round and get the winning momentum again.

It hasn’t come up in our discussions in training briefings etc. that we’re at this point in the competition, we haven’t made a deal out of it.

We’ve just gone about our business as we usually would to get the players ready for it. I’m pretty sure the players won’t play the occasion they’ll play the match.

AROUND THE PAN

Today’s fixture is dedicated to Football v Homophobia.

Football v Homophobia is an international campaign working throughout the football pyramid to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

The campaign was founded 12 years ago by ‘The Justin Campaign’ which formed 10 years after the tragic suicide of gay footballer Justin Fashanu in 1998. 

At Lewes FC as part of our commitment to the beautiful game, we care about using football to drive positive change in society. 

We have a wonderful and welcoming community at this club and we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate our diversity, and raise awareness about homophobia in the game.

No one should feel excluded or discriminated against because of their identity and we can all work together to make football a more inclusive place.

Whilst attitudes vary across the industry, homophobic abuse remains a serious problem in football and wider society. 

Just last month, Football v Homophobia penned a letter calling for urgent action after recent incidents of homophobic abuse in men’s football within stadiums and on social media. 

Campaigns like Football V Homophobia are crucial in challenging mindsets, educating people and enhancing LGBTQ visibility and opportunityin football.

There is no place for hate in our beautiful game and we are encouraging all our supporters to join us over the weekend to #KickItOut.

1. Information and leaflets will be available at the Dripping Pan about the work that Football V Homophobia does and how you can support them. Football v Homophobia is an initiative of Pride Sports. To find out more visit: https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/. 
2. If you ever witness any hateful or prejudiced behaviour / language during a game, we urge you to speak to a club official, report to Kick It Out (02039678989 / report@kickitout.org) or report the case to the FA.

DEALING WITH THE SOCIAL MEDIA TROLLS THE LEWES & CURVE WAY

INTRODUCING OUR VISITORS FROM CARDIFF CITY

Cardiff City Ladies History

The club was founded in 1975 as Llanedeyrn L.F.C. after a local charity match.^[4] In 1981 the name was changed to Cardiff L.F.C., and in 1993 the club linked up with Inter Cardiff F.C. and started playing at the Cardiff Athletic Stadium. In 1997, the connection with Inter Cardiff was terminated and the club changed its name to Cardiff County L.F.C while affiliating with the Cardiff County Council. In 2001 the club began affiliating with Cardiff City, the professional men’s club from the same city^.

At the beginning of the 2003 season, however, the club severed its connection with its male counterpart when its members voted against the men’s club’s proposals and its operations became an independent outfit again. Although they were allowed to keep use of the Cardiff City name and kit colours, their crest is very different, and no longer uses the famous moniker ‘Bluebirds’ , incorporating the Welsh red dragon instead.

In 2006 Cardiff City Ladies won the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division and were promoted to the National Division for the first time. Relegated in the 2007–08 season, the club again were promoted to the National Division in 2010–11

The The Vitality Women’s FA Cup Results and Fixtures

LEWES 0 BIRMINGHAM CITY 4 – SUNDAY 5TH FEBRUARY

The Rooks suffered a tough 0-4 defeat on Sunday against Birmingham City as a hat trick from Jade Pennock and a goal from Lucy Quinn secured the visitors all 3 points. 

The Rooks were up against it from the first whistle with Birmingham City taking a more dominant and aggressive style of play.

Lewes did well to slow down the tempo at times and create a flurry of chances. However, it was not enough to stop a competitive Birmingham.

A near perfect ball from across the face of the goal saw Birmingham take the lead on the 15th minute courtesy of Jade Pennock.

The Rooks first real chance came from Ellie Mason from a cross down the left hand side, which saw the ball deflect and fall at Kirsty Barton who volleyed it over the bar.

A collision involving Birmingham City Keeper Lucy Thomas and Rhian Cleaverly saw a stoppage to gameplay as Cleaverly received treatment.

Once the game was underway again Pennock bagged a second goal on the edge of halftime and secured Birmingham the lead as we headed into the break.

The second-half started very much the same as the first, with Birmingham continuing to be relentless and applying pressure.

The rooks did well to slow Birmingham down and take possession of the ball at times, yet Lucy Quinn managed to find the back of the net in the 70 minute.

Lewes kept on fighting and pushing the visitors hard with Mason managing to find space and dart down to the edge of the box, but was taken down and earned The Rooks a free kick which just flied low and wide.

Pennock cut in the from the left hand side and took a shot from outside of the penalty box which earned Birmingham their fourth goal of the game, and bagged her third of the game.

It was a very tough and competitive game which saw The Rooks give it their all.

Captain, Rhian Cleverly, sustained a head injury which halted the game temporarily but we are pleased to report that following assessment in the hospital, she was able to return home and is recovering well

BRISTOL CITY AWAY MATCH GALLERY

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
5	Charlotte Wardlaw
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
14	Paula Howells	Bruce Taylor
15	Jamie Rita	The English Soap Company
16	Kirsty Barton
17	Zoe Smith	The English Soap Company
18	Rebecca McKenna	Leschenault Press & The Book Reality Experience
19	Lauren Heria	Alex Lambeth
20	Libby Copus-Brown	Joe Short
21	Valentine Pursey
22	Josie Longhurst	Martin Scott
23	Izzy Dalton	Leschenault Press & The Book Reality Experience
25	Kenzie Weir
26	Emily Moore
31	Laura Hartley	Michael Scoates
32	Frankie Angel	The English Soap Company
	Aqsa Mushtaq

ELLIE HACK AND SUSSEX FA INTERVIEW

Many players will say that they grew up in a football mad household, and for Lewes centre-back Ellie Hack, 20, that certainly was the case.

“From as early as I can remember, I’ve been heading footballs,” reminisces Hack, “we’d be down the park every day, all of us, me, dad, and my brothers.

“And to be honest, I think the main reason I became a defender was because, when we’d all play together, the boys wouldn’t let me have the ball, unless I was able to get it off them!”

Born in Worthing, Hack’s footballing upbringing is thanks in no small part to her father, Stuart Hack, who made over 200 appearances for Lewes

However, her first taste of competitive football didn’t exactly go to plan.

“My first memory playing for them was a tournament, my very first one, and for some reason I remember asking to go in goal, because I think I wanted to be a goalkeeper?

“So, I went in goal, and we lost our first game 5-0, and I was crying in the car on the way home saying I’d never go in goal again!

Soon the talented young defender would catch the eye of Brighton & Hove 

“I really didn’t want to go, because I didn’t want to play girls football, but thankfully mum and dad convinced me to go and try it out.

“Almost as soon as we started, I remember thinking ‘wow okay these girls can actually play’.”

“Some time went by, and then one day I remember being upstairs and hearing a scream from my mum, so I ran down and saw her standing there screaming at me telling me I’ve got in!”

“So that season I joined Brighton, I was also lucky enough to be playing for the Sussex Schools team,” said Hack. 

“The first year I tried out, got in, but was told that I actually shouldn’t have tried out because I was still too young! So I came back a year later and got in.”

Back at Brighton, Hack was continuing her progression through the academy, with her hard work eventually being rewarded in the 2018/19 season.

“That season was a really special one for me,” said Hack, “because it was at this point that I first began training with the first-team.

At 16-years-old Hack was training with Women’s Super League (WSL) level players, so was she now starting to think that football could become something more than just her passion?

“To be honest, as much as I’ve loved football, even as a kid, I never said I wanted to be a professional footballer,” said Hack.

“I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t think it could come true, but it just wasn’t something I’d thought about.

“I still just wanted to play for enjoyment, so my focus was mostly on making sure I got the marks at school and college.”

But of course, whilst the normality of classroom stress was shared with many her age, Hack was soon experiencing a very different kind of stress when England came to call.

“It was unreal to get that call from England,” said Hack, “it’s such an honour to represent your county at any level, and my family were just so proud.

“My instant reaction was one of excitement and then nerves, because I just didn’t want to mess up the opportunity.”

The 2019/20 season with Brighton saw her continue to represent the academy team, making 15 appearances for the side, along with a start for the senior team in a 5-0 win over London Bees in the Continental Cup.

Yet, as the season came to an end, and the 2020/21 campaign loomed over the horizon, Hack knew she needed more game time.

Enter Lewes FC.

“I was really excited to head out on loan to Lewes,” said Hack, “I’d heard a lot about the values of the club and what they stand for, and they were things that really aligned with me.

“Those first games, I definitely got bashed up in the air a good few times,” said Hack.

“The Championship is such a competitive league. You have to fight for every point, and anyone can beat anyone.

“But playing regularly meant I learnt how to win and how to manage games, which is something you can only learn by playing more.”

That first season on loan saw the Rooks finish fifth in the table, and for Hack, make the move permanent in the summer.

“I’ll be honest after a couple of weeks I knew this was a special club,” said Hack, “everything from the girls, the staff, the whole environment was just somewhere I knew I wanted to be a part of.

“The last game of that season, against Liverpool at home, definitely stands out,” said Hack.

“They’d already won the league at this point, but it was a sell-out crowd and there was such a good spirit around the place that day, and we went on to beat them 2-1 to finish the year.”

This season has seen Lewes look to keep building on the momentum from the last campaign.

Yet following a busy summer transfer window and the arrival of new manager Scott Booth, the club are currently seventh in the table.

“It’s definitely been a season of a lot of change,” said Hack, “but I feel like we’re definitely buying into the way Scott wants us to play, and all the new players have adapted so quickly to the Lewes way.”

“The table says one thing, but at one point we’d only lost two games in ten, so we know what we’re capable of.”

“Personally, this season is one where I really want to continue to develop my leadership skills.

“I’ve been so lucky to play with the likes of Rhian Cleverly, and the way she leads us is something I’m always looking to learn from.”

Indeed, with Hack embodying the determined and hard-working spirit around the Dripping Pan this season, there are few who’d bet against the centre-back making it to the top. 

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 Tim Bradshaw, Willa Brooks, Ed Briggs, Scott Currie, Stuart Fuller, Andy Gowland, Lucy Mills, John Peel, 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 RIP, 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

“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 Willa Bailey, Tim Bradshaw, Ed Briggs, Scott Currie, Stuart Fuller, Andy Gowland, Lucy Mills, John Peel, Trevor Wells
Chief Executive Officer Maggie Murphy
Club Secretary John Peel
Fan Engagement Officer Shrey Nilvarna
Financial Director Biram Desai
Operations Manager James Barker

Life Members
Peter Brook, Dorothy Brook RIP, Vic Blunt RIP, 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
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

Communication Manager Jack Towers
Commercial Manager Stef McLoughlin

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

NEXT UP AT PAN…

WEDNESDAY 1ST MARCH 2023 – 7PM KICK OFF

THE BARCLAYS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

TICKETS ON SALE NOW