Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s Barclays Women’s Championship game against Watford.
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 Watford.
A very warm Lewes welcome to our guests from Watford and everyone visiting the Pan this afternoon for this pivotal Barclays Women’s Championship match.
Whilst we all know that only a maximum of three points an be earned from the game this match is the classic six pointer following the established book of time honoured football cliches and I am sure all the players will be leaving everything out on the pitch today.
To help calm the nerves ahead of the game our Craft Ale and Alcohol Free beverage consultants, Only With Love (OWL) will be giving away one free drink to ticket holders who rock up at the Rook Inn before 1:30pm.
The Band will also be blasting out the usual Lewes Tunes to rock up the atmosphere a notch further and we are hoping that the players can serve up a banger of a game.
So we will have the Beer, the Band and the Fireworks (although our Bonfire adherents and those with a hankering for alliteration prefer the line to read the Beer, the Band and the Bonfire).
I don’t think I need to stress any further how big this game is for both teams in the context of league survival and I hope that the Rooks can fly higher than the Hornets and net the three points. But most importantly that everyone has an enjoyable afternoon irrespective of the result.
Come on you Rooks
Trevor
From the dugout… with Scott Booth
Hello everyone welcome to the Dripping Pan this afternoon.
Against Blackburn, I feel like we had the majority of possession in the game. They allowed us to have it. We just didn’t do enough with the possession, we were very slow with it, which made us easy to defend against.
That’s a key area we needed to be better in. We also lost two goals from set-plays, first from a corner. They’re individual errors where a player hasn’t picked up who they’re supposed to mark, one from a corner, one from a throw-in.
It’s really painful because we work hard on our set-plays both in and out of possession, so it’s a tough to take. It’s tough to take when you lose goals from general play anyway but it’s even worse when it’s set-plays.
We then scored from our own set-play, did have other opportunities but all in all, with all the play we had, we’re disappointed in the way we lost those goals.
I think the biggest issue we had in the game, despite more possession and limiting them to very few chances, in possession we kept giving the ball away. We kept allowing the game to be transitional which is the way they play. We worked on that in training but we just didn’t pass it well enough to create the necessary chances.
We did create more but didn’t test the goalkeeper enough which is really disappointing because again, we work hard at those sorts of moments.
Watford is obviously a massive game for us, at the Pan, and we need to make it count. We’ll have good support as usual, which really helps the players. We know what kind of game it’s going to be, they all are, I think if you were to look through our season, in terms of the scorelines, the vast majority will be either won or lost by a goal.
We know that’s not going to change in the next five games, they will all be tight, so we need to make sure that we’re the ones who come out on top. Watford are a good side, if I’m being totally honest they play some of the best football in the league.
Their style of play has changed a little bit since Christmas, a little bit more direct but they certainly like to play good football. I’m not surprised they’ve popped up with some high profile wins because when their game-plan works it looks good and can hurt the opposition.
You can’t win any game in this league unless you’re aggressive in and out of possession, you need to have that fight, because every game’s a battle. Then you have to take your chances, when you create them you’ve got to take them.
Defensively you have to be really, really tidy, organised, no individual errors and that’s key in this league.
The players have also got to enjoy it and feel like they’re getting something out of it, that enjoyment because they’re keeping the ball, because they’re creating chances, and that’s going to be important for the next five games.
Thank you everyone for your support.
Scott
British Heart Foundation at today’s game
Lewes FC are delighted to announce members of the British Heart Foundation will be attending Sunday’s game against Watford in the Women’s Championship.
The BHF does amazing work around the country to educate people on heart health and save lives.
There are thousands of players, supporters, staff and members of the wider community who call the Dripping Pan and The Rookery a home from home. That’s why we want to ensure both facilities are as safe as possible for all those who spend time here.
On Sunday, BHF members will be on hand to discuss heart health issues and give advice on what to do in an emergency. They will also be raising money for ever-vital funds to keep their programmes going.
Then, on Saturday 23 March, the Lewes FC Supporters Club will run a fundraising campaign to purchase a new defibrillator at the 3G pitch. Both adults and youngsters will be able to use the new defibrillator, meaning anyone can be treated if they suffer a cardiac arrest.
We look forward to seeing you down at the Pan today to cheer on the Women against Watford, and then again to back the Men versus Concord Rangers next weekend!
Blackburn Rovers vs. Lewes – Post Match Reaction
🎙️ Scott Booth reacts to tonight’s defeat. pic.twitter.com/q0GHLkKqTH
— Lewes FC Women (@LewesFCWomen) March 11, 2024
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 Aimee Claypole
INTRODUCING OUR VISITORS
THE HISTORY
Back in 2013 the Hornets finished second in the FA Women’s Premier League. On the pitch success was matched off the pitch as the club’s application for a license to compete in the newly formed Women’s Super League 2 was accepted.
The inaugural season got underway in April 2014, and the first game for Watford resulted in a 2–2 draw against Millwall Lionesses, with 330 in attendance. Impressive form away from home meant that Watford were in third place as the season approached the half-way point; however, some misfortune with injuries meant this form couldn’t be maintained, and the club finished seventh.
The follow-up season ultimately proved to be a difficult one in terms of results, but there was success in other avenues. Watford’s opening home league game against Aston Villa was held at Vicarage Road and attracted a fantastic crowd of 1,102. It wasn’t the only impressive attendance of the season, as respective crowds of 465 (v Yeovil) and 514 (v Durham) saw the team play at Berkhamsted FC.
Having taken over the managerial position in the 2011–12 season and the general manager role for the start of the WSL, John Salomon had plenty to do with the upward trajectory at the Hornets. He stepped down from both roles at the end of the season to begin a new role with the FA. It meant there were two positions to fill. Ellie Kemp came on board as general manager, while Katie Rowson took on the position of head coach.
The third season again proved to be a difficult one on the field, but back-to-back home wins were recorded against Everton and Oxford United. Most importantly it was a campaign where Watford Ladies came under the umbrella of Watford FC for the first time, with the men’s set-up giving plenty of support. One of the big changes was the club moving away from the grassroots set-up and Watford Ladies Youth.
With the WSL transitioning from a summer league to a winter league, it meant a mini nine-game season took place at the beginning of 2017. It was a much better time on the pitch, as the Golden Girls led by new head coach Keith Boanas earned eight points in a five-game period, more than they had earned in the entirety of either 2015 or 2016.
Watford also moved to a new home ground, with Kings Langley becoming the home of the Hornets, a partnership that continues to be fruitful for both to this day. Ed Henderson had helped stabilise the club during the Spring Series, having taken over as interim general manager. His work continued in the summer as he secured several new sponsorships and continued to build the profile of Watford, with 823 turning up for the game against Arsenal. It was another challenging season, however there were plenty of bright spots in the second half of 17–18. Armand Kavaja and Clinton Lancaster were put in charge and handed a number of young players their opportunities in the first-team fold. The coaching staff had played a big role in developing the players and performances were much-improved towards the end, with a 2–1 win at Oxford United the highlight.
The new make-up of the Women’s football pyramid was confirmed on 28 May 2018 and despite a strong application, Watford were put in the FA Women’s National League (Tier 3) rather than the FA Women’s Championship (Tier 2).
In September 2019, Clinton Lancaster took the position of head coach, with Kavaja taking up an assistant role. The Golden Girls were on-track for potential promotion when the 2019–20 season was declared null and void due to the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
The name ‘Watford FC Women’ replaced the name ‘Watford FC Ladies’ in August 2020, with the club saying the new name was “representative of a modern view on language and equality and is in keeping with the way our governing bodies, supporters, squad and management regard the women’s game”.
In the 2020–21 season, Watford were promoted back into the second tier after a three season absence, due to The FA approving the club’s application for upward movement.
In the middle of 2022 Watford F.C. Women agreed to play the upcoming season at Grosvenor Vale the home of Wealdstone F.C.
THE LAST MEETINGS
| 15 Oct 2023 | Championship | Watford | 1 | Lewes | 2 |
| 13 Feb 2022 | Championship | Watford | 0 | Lewes | 2 |
| 07 Nov 2021 | Championship | Lewes | 1 | Watford | 2 |
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 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 Trevor Wells
Directors Priscilla Aldridge, Tim Bradshaw, Ben Hall, Jen Kerrison, John Peel, Stan Lahood,
Tom McJennett, Joe Short, Steve Watts, Trevor Wells.
Chief Executive Officer Maggie Murphy
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 Natalie Lawrence
GK Coach Leah Samain
General Manager Lynne Burrell
Head Physiotherapist Adam Hutchins
Sports Therapist Liam Jenman
Sports Therapist Intern Beth Lenihan
Sport Scientist Ivi Casagrande
Mental Coach Sarah Murray
Data Analyst Tom Dummer
Pathway Manager Kerri Coombs
Pathway Lead Technical Coach / Ops Support Tim Heal
Communications Manager Jack Towers
Commercial Manager Stef McLoughlin
Operations Manager Ryan Sullivan
Fan Engagement Manager Shrey Nilvarna
Facilities Manager Damien Watts
Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editors Jack Towers
Progcast Editors Jack Towers / Stan Lahood
Club Photographer James Boyes & Grace Jones
THE LAST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON
Sunday 21 April 2024 – 2:00PM KICK OFF
Championship
