Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s Barclays Women’s Championship game against Sheffield United.
Here is your complimentary e-programme
Lewes FC Women 2023/24
NOTES FROM THE CHAIR
Welcome to the Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s pivotal game in the FA Women’s Championship where we welcome our guests from Sheffield United.
Here we go
A big Lewes welcome to everyone visiting the Pan today especially our guests from Sheffield and members of our Women’s Vets team who are celebrating their 10th anniversary.
All our games from now to the end of the season our massive and we need to muster as many points as we can. We just have three more games at the Pan and we need that special Lewes vibe to lift the players. We will have the band playing in the Philcox rounded up and led by their musical director Dr John Masterson and they really add to the atmosphere. They have taken to calling themselves the Trevtards… I have several other names for them… all complimentary of course! So don’t be shy and join the band in some of those Rooks favourite tunes.
Obviously today’s game is huge but is just part of a gargantuan week we have had at the Pan this week with a classic European night on Tuesday when our men’s team qualified for the finals weekend of the Fenix trophy to be held on the shores of Lake Garda in May.
On Thursday the club announced the sad news that our inspirational CEO Maggie Murphy will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Maggie’s impact at the club and for the Women’s game in general has been far bigger than even huge or gargantuan and of course she will be greatly, greatly missed and I will personally miss all the fun times she brings to the club.
The week now needs to be rounded off with Lewes securing a big three points.
Come on you Rooks
Trevor
From the dugout… with Scott Booth
Hello everyone welcome to the Dripping Pan this afternoon.
It seems a long time ago [Sunderland] now because of international break. And probably the fact that I wanted it to go away in my memory.
It was really, really hard to take that, for everyone to take. I thought the team did really well, we had a competitive first half, took control in the second.
We had more opportunities as well, if we had more details in our attacks I think we would’ve seen it out.
Again, late in the game, I’m saying it every week at the moment, we’ve gone four games where we’ve had the lead and given it away, whether it’s three points to the opposition or a point to the opposition.
It’s really disappointing but at the same time, we have to look at the positives, there’s still 21 points up for grabs, and we’ve been scoring more goals, playing good football, competing with every side.
We just need to get that bit right at the end, where we either make it easier for ourselves by scoring more or whether we see it out professionally.
I think it’s inevitable that there’s a mental aspect to it. It’s inevitable because it’s four games we’ve done well in.
We’ve scored the goals in these tight matches where it should be enough to see it through, we’ve been good enough to go ahead.
When you score three goals away from home against top of the league, then you’ve got to have the mental strength to see it through.
They’ve trained really well over the last two weeks, taken everything on board, the aspects we’ve profiled on the opposition, they’ve done all that right.
We’ve done a lot of work on the psychology side of the game, I think there’s a number of reasons we’ve been in these situations.
I think it’s important though like I said, to focus on the positive aspects of what we’re doing, and how we’re playing. All it takes is that one win to get rid of any memory of what’s happened.
It was good to have international break, the players have done really well, lots of energy, players back from knocks and it’s a big group again.
You know it’s going to be a tough game no matter what, they’ve [Sheffield United] got good players throughout, they can play good stuff as well.
They can also be very economical with how they play their football. They’ve got different aspects to their game but we know every game is going to be a battle.
Thank you everyone for your support.
Scott
Celebrating International Women’s Day!
To mark international women’s day on March 8 we will be celebrating the amazing women within our club and community at our game today!
In the Rook Inn, we will be showcasing the women on and off the pitch and around the club and asking fans to nominate and shout out the amazing women in their own lives.
We are also thrilled to welcome female musicians from the East Sussex college next door to the club who will be performing in the Rook Inn before the game, at half time and after the game.
We will also be celebrating our Women’s Vets team who celebrate their 10 year anniversary this year. They will be giving the teams a guard of honour as the teams walk out.
Ahead of the game, we caught up with Jenny and Saskia from the Vets, to talk about how it all started!
LAST TIME OUT…
Lewes FC Women were defeated away to Sunderland despite leading 2-3 going into stoppage time.
The Rooks had twice led in the game thanks to Lois Heuchan’s early opener, and a sensational second half strike from Reanna Blades, but Sunderland fought back with minutes to play with Jenna Dear netting twice in two minutes.
The first five minutes of this game really set a precedent for the whole 90 minutes. Lois Heuchan stepped over a free-kick just four minutes in, and from a wide angle curled it all the way into the far corner with the help of a deflection.
Then less than a minute later, the Rooks celebrations were cut short as Sunderland, with their own free kick, found an equaliser following a good delivery which was smashed home from the centre of the box.
It gave the Lasses the bit between their teeth and they bombed forward with a flurry of attacks. Then less than 10 minutes later, they were in front from another free kick that was this time headed in.
Sunderland looked really strong from the second goal and were putting a lot of pressure on the Lewes back-line who for the most part were dealing with it well.
Then on the half-hour mark, Brasero-Carreira went on a darting run into the penalty area before being brought down in her tracks and won a penalty.
Up stepped Hollie Olding who, cool as you like, slotted home sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
2-2 the score with 15 minutes until the break and you bet the drama didn’t stop there.
Almost straight from kick-off Sunderland went up the other end and forced an absolutely incredible save from Sophie Whitehouse who got down with a strong hand to deny Sunderland going back in front.
The last kick of the half again put Whitehouse into action when she tipped a free kick over the bar which looked certain for the top corner.
Some time to breath was definitely needed in what was a crazy, end-to-end half of football.
From the restart, Sunderland looked a bit more flat and we saw more of the ball in the early exchanges.
Farrugia was introduced and had the half’s biggest chance on 59 minutes when Aimee Claypole teed her off on the edge of the box but she couldn’t quite keep her effort down and it rose just above the crossbar.
10 minutes later, Amelia Hazard went on a great run down the left wing, cut inside the box, then with limited options, struck venomously at goal missing by the tightest of margins.
Lewes were looking like the team that would go in front and did so went substitute, Reanna Blades, speeded down the right wing and struck wonderfully into the roof of the net from a tight angle. A strike so good that it looked at first that it must have taken a deflection!
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for the Rooks, and with seven minutes added on, we were once again left to ponder what might have been, and conceded twice in two minutes, as Sunderland peppered the Lewes box and snatched a 4-3 win to go top of the league.
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 our women’s players 😆
So bring the noise today and get singing them!!!
Pre-match with Jacqui Hand
INTRODUCING OUR VISITORS
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. Inspired by 75-goal striker Jodie Michalska, the club secured promotion to the Midland Combination Women’s Football League in 2005–06.
In July 2022 it was announced that all league and cup matches in the 2022/23 season would be played at Bramall Lane.
THE LAST MEETINGS
| 17 Sep 2023 | Championship | Sheffield United | 1 | Lewes | 0 |
| 26 March 2023 | Championship | Sheffield United | 2 | Lewes | 3 |
| 25 Sep 2022 | Championship | Lewes | 2 | Sheffield United | 2 |
| 3 Apr 2022 | Championship | Lewes | 0 | Sheffield United | 2 |
| 21 Nov 2021 | Championship | Sheffield United | 1 | Lewes | 3 |
Training this week 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 17 March 2024 – 2:00PM KICK OFF
Championship
