Sunday 28 January 2024 – 2:00pm – Barclays Women’s Championship
Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s Barclays Women’s Championship game against Reading.
Here is your complimentary e-programme
Lewes FC Women 2023/24
NOTES FROM THE CHAIR
Welcome to the Dripping Pan for this afternoons pivotal game in the FA Women’s Championship where we welcome our guests from Reading FC Women.
This afternoon’s game is the archetypal ’six pointer’ with both teams hoping to climb the table.
Lewes produced a solid performance last time out against Durham, a team that we have never beaten, but we were less than two minutes from securing a deserved maiden victory. Whilst we all left the ground feeling as sick as the proverbial parrot on reflection the point and the performance gives us a good base on which to build and our new signings appear to have settled in and quickly jelled with their team mates.
Another positive of last weeks game was a sizeable crowd, this is going to be an important factor in our remaining home games as we have important games against Sheffield United and Watford in March. Your support really boosts the team and we need this more than ever. We have one of the best fan bases in the Women’s game so we really need to get backsides on seats and use this to our advantage.
I hope you have a great afternoon at the Pan who ever you support. It really is true that there are ‘no easy games in this division’ and lets hope for a great match and hope the Rooks can give 110%’, ’take the game by the scruff of the neck’ and we get a contest that is a ’great advert for the game’.
Well that is me all clichéd out.
Come on you Rooks
Trevor
From the dugout… with Scott Booth
Hello everyone welcome to the Dripping Pan this afternoon.
Reflecting on Sunday, I just felt like the first half we allowed them to let the game pass us by.
First-half I think we were still the better team, but we just didn’t do the things we worked on in training particularly well.
I felt we didn’t create enough, as much as we’d have liked, between the way that Durham played and the conditions, we weren’t able to do enough.
That was the talk at half time, about making sure in possession we tidy up our pass detail in the final third, and I think we came out much better.
We were much more aggressive going forward, put them under more pressure, got the goal, and then I think after we scored, we looked like we were looking for a change.
The game then went a bit flat again and my intention was to try and win the game, so I made positive changes, bringing Reanna and Anna on.
But that didn’t materialise as much as we’d have liked and we got sucker punched at the end when we should have been able to see the game out.
Durham are like that, that’s the way they play, they stay in the game, they battle for everything, they fight, they scrap, they’re physical, and in the end we couldn’t hang on.
We’re also left frustrated again by some poor decisions; the pulling of the shirt on Hack was just crazy, she’s got her hands up to remonstrate to the referee and I could see it from the bench, it was so clear.
Then the next one I find even worse, with the shot from Maria that’s going on target and their defender makes a double-handed save, to stop the ball.
Positively, If you look at Anna, Reanna, Bras, we’ve got Moons back as well, V, you’ve got players there we can bring on now to try and influence games.
A lot of players fighting for the same places as well which has created some really useful competition for us in the remainder of the season.
It would have been good to have got another game in to bed some players in. That’s always the more challenging side of bringing players in this window. Because you’re starting again to a degree.
But also, I suppose we’ve been able to train one more day, so I think there’s two ways to look at it. We take it for what it is and we’re prepared for Reading.
Every game for us is obviously a really big one now, not one from now to the end of the season that isn’t.
But Reading, a place above us, so we understand the position we’re in and it’s a tough game.
They will want to win just as much as us because they’ll want to put distance between us, so yeah it’s a really big game and hopefully we get a good turnout of fans, get behind us, support us and hopefully we can get the three points for you.
Thank you everyone as always, your support for us is vital.
Scott
LAST TIME OUT…
Durham scored a dramatic 94th minute equaliser from an own goal to deny Lewes three points at the Dripping Pan. Reports Will Kirkup.
The visitors drew level when a low cross was deflected in from substitute Eleanor Ryan-Doyle after the Rooks had gone in front via a fortune Grace Riglar header.
It was a home debut for Lewes’ January signings Lois Roche, Hannah Godfrey, Lois Heuchan and New Zealand international Jacqui Hand.
Lewes’ first chance came after 24 minutes when Maria Farrugia headed into the side netting at the back post, after she was picked out by Amelia Hazard.
Durham threatened in spells, and Beth Hepple struck a wonderful free kick against the upright in the 31st minute.
But Lewes could have had a penalty ten minutes later when Farrugia’s strike seemed to hit the hand of Durham captain Sarah Wilson in the 18-yard-box.
The Rooks were rewarded after a bight start to the second half in the 54th minute, when Lois Heuchan produced a floating cross, which was cleared but ricocheted into the net via Grace Riglar and in.
The next big chanced didn’t come until the 82nd minute, when Lewes’ Hack volleyed just wide from a freekick.
The draw leaves Lewes three points from safety, and Durham stay sixth.
Today’s Match – sponsored by GoFitness
Adding to the electric atmosphere is the sensational Travis Eddie, who will be performing live music throughout the match. Feel the rhythm and join us in celebrating this incredible sporting event.
Wait, there’s even more! We’ve partnered with Go Fitness to offer ticket holders an unbeatable deal. Kickstart your 2024 fitness journey with our exclusive 28 Day Personal Training Experience for only £99 when you sign up at the match. Take advantage of this special offer and let Go Fitness guide you towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Player chants, by Liam Jenman!
We think our Sport Therapist, Liam, has too much time on his hands on away day coach journeys, but nonetheless, he has come up with some GREAT chants for every single one of our women’s players 😆
So bring the noise today and get singing them!!!
Reanna & Anna interview EACH OTHER!
INTRODUCING OUR VISITORS
THE HISTORY
Reading FC began an association with women’s football when it affiliated with Reading Royals LFC (previously Twyford Comets) in 1988.
In May 2006, Reading ended this affiliation and started their own women’s team, Reading FC Women. In their first season they achieved a Southern Region Women’s Football League and Cup double and were promoted to the South West Combination Women’s Football League. They followed this with an unbeaten 2007–08 League season to gain promotion to the Premier League Northern Division (in which they competed due to an overload at the Southern).
After finishing sixth in the Northern Division, Reading were transferred to the Southern Division for the 2009–10 season. In 2010 they won their last four games of the season to finish runners–up to Barnet and secure promotion to the FA Women’s Premier League National Division.
On 3 April 2011 Reading successfully defended the Berks and Bucks County Cup trophy, cruising past Milton Keynes Dons 3–0 in the final.
Their first season in the FA Women’s Premier League National Division (the second highest league, following the formation of the Women’s Super League) saw Reading finish third. In March 2012 Reading lost top goalscorer Nikki Watts to WSL club Bristol Academy. They finished 9th in the National Division in the 2011–12 season, resulting in their relegation back to the Southern Division for 2012–13.
In 2012–13 Reading FC Women won the FA Premier League Southern Division by eight points and a goal difference of 41, while both the first and reserve team retained the County Cup.
Reading’s top scorer in 2012–13, Fran Kirby, was rewarded for her campaign by being named as Player of the Season – as well as receiving a call up to play for Great Britain in the World University Games in Kazan, Russia. Striker Kirby surpassed the 30-goal mark this season and was also selected for an England under-23s Camp.
Reading were granted a licence to play in the FA Women’s Super League 2 from 2014. They won the division in the 2015 season and were promoted to the FA WSL. On 10 December 2015 it was announced that Reading would play their home games at Adams Park, the home of Wycombe Wanderers FC, for the next two seasons.
Reading finished the 2017–18 season in 4th place and 5th in both 2018–19 and 2019–20, reaching the Semi-Final of the FA Women’s Cup in 2018-19. The side finished 7th in the 2020–21 season, continuing the steady decline to 8th in 2021–22.
Reading were relegated from the WSL on the final day of the 2022–23 season, losing to Chelsea. Following their relegation, Reading switched to operation on a part-time basis ahead of the 2023–24 Women’s Championship.
On 18 August 2023, Reading announced Liam Gilbert as their new First Team Manager.
THE LAST MEETINGS
| 8 Oct 2023 | Championship | Reading | 1 | Lewes | 0 |
| 15 Dec 2021 | Conti Cup | Lewes | 1 | Reading | 1 |
| 20 Oct 2019 | Conti Cup | Reading | 3 | Lewes | 2 |
| 6 Jan 2013 | FA Cup | Lewes | 2 | Reading | 1 |
LEWES VS. DURHAM BY GRACE JONES
THE 2023/24 BARCLAYS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
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 National League South 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 Trevor Wells
Directors Ben Hall, John Peel, Stan Lahood, Tom McJennett, Joe Short, Steve Watts, Trevor Wells.
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 Emma Byrne
GK Coach and Analyst Manager Leah Samain
Head of Women’s Football Lynne Burrell
COO Kelly Lindsey
Fan Engagement & Operations Shrey Nilvarna
Facilities Manager Damien Watts
Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editors Shrey Nilvarna
Progcast Editors Clare Boden
Club Photographer James Boyes & Cecily
NEXT UP AT THE PAN….
Sunday 3 March 2024 – 12:00PM KICK OFF
Championship
