Solid Win Sees Lewes Advance In FA Cup
Lewes FC ladies 5 Brislington LFC 0
SSE Women’s FA Cup 1st Round
Sunday 4th December 2016
The Dripping Pan, Lewes
Lewes Ladies cruised into round two of the SSE Woman’s FA Cup with a strong showing against Brislington LFC. A crisp, sunny day at the Dripping Pan offered cold comfort for the visitors once the home team hit their stride.
A perfectly observed minute’s silence gave all present pause to consider the recent Chapecoense tragedy before the game started under clear skies.
Early exchanges saw Lewes on top with close to 80% possession. Rusty after weeks of postponed matches, Lewes took time to find their rhythm. They moved the ball well through midfield, but found the combination of a dogged defence and firm ground tough to break down. Rutherford and West had little to do for much of the game, patrolling the back line hungry for challenges, supporting their midfield in attack.
Georgia Bridges, up front in the absence of the injured Rebecca Carter, fed on supply from Sian Heather and Dani Lane. Lane clearly enjoyed her free-roaming role, popping up inside left and right, working with Paige Walder and Katie McIntyre to prize an opening.
Early chances for Bridges and Lane, created by Walder and a peach of a pass from Leeta Rutherford, went begging. Brislington worked their socks off, Rogers and Whelan impressive in their industry, Zoe Gunter giving everything for the cause, taking a fierce drive full in the face.
Natasha Wells, returning to the Lewes first team, struck the post with a header, meeting a smart cross from Bridges in typically full-bloodied fashion. Bridges eluded her marker to bear down on goal, only to see her shot blocked at the near post by alert ‘keeper Tallulah Wheeler.
On the half-hour Lewes broke through. Dani Lane, running at the Brislington back four, pulled the ball back to the unmarked Bridges who finished low to Wheeler’s left from 12 yards. 1-0.
Rogers picked up a caution for a lunge on Wells, though Wells hurdled the challenge to tear in on the left to feed Bridges, who shot wide. Brislington fought back, Zoe Gunter hitting a shot just wide after a smart turn. Bridges came close to doubling the lead, her first-time curled shot-on-the-run beating Wheeler before grazing the upright. HT 1-0.
The second half saw more of the same. Brislington fought bravely, players making blocks and tackles that ceded a string of corners that the hosts could not convert. Apparently frustrated by her team-mates’ errant finishing, Lane took matters into her own hands. Beating three defenders she drove in from the left before calmly passing the ball past Wheeler into the opposite corner. 2-0 (53)
Still Lewes pressed, still Brislington resisted. Walder smashed a shot into Ham Lane, Lane sent Bridges through only for Chelsea Heal to get a toe in. On 66 minutes, Lewes brought Kim Stenning on for the hard-working Bridges, Brislington Sophie Allen for Gunter.
The changes suited the home side. As Brislington figured out who would pick up Stenning, Lane picked up possession on the left, slipped inside and curled the ball high past Wheeler from 16 yards. 3-0 (68)
Walder warmed to her playmaker role, pinging a pin-point pass to Heather who’s cross was blocked by Whelan. Walder raced in to keep the ball alive, Stenning’s resulting shot well saved by Wheeler. Stenning, out on the right, picked out Wells with a fine ball, the well-struck volley rattling the cross-bar.
Charlie Carter replaced Rachel Palmer for Lewes. Georgia Vandries warmed the hands of the traveling support with a smart turn, her fierce shot flying just over. Lewes attacked and after another accurate Walder feed, Kim Stenning belted the ball past Wheeler for 4-0 (82).
Despite the relentless assault Brislington refused to lay down, taking the game to Lewes and forcing a corner, a fine delivery well-taken by Dolbear. Wells made way for debutant Hayley Bridge. Four minutes later Bridge marked her arrival with a thunderous finish after yet another perfect pass from MvP Walder. 5-0 (88).
Shannon Osman, jumping for the ball, crumpled in a heap, in obvious pain. She was carried from the field, having apparently aggravated a previous knee injury. FT 5-0
Lewes manager John Donoghue was understandably pleased by his team’s professional performance.
‘I was happy that once we found our rhythm, we dictated play. Brislington offered a good challenge and made it hard for us early on. It’s good to be playing competitive football again and we’ll look to build on this, hopefully now with a run of games.’
Brislington, a friendly and hard-working side, left with their pride intact after a brave performance. Osman was taken on the team bus back to Bristol where she was assessed in A&E. All at Lewes FC Ladies wish her all the best for a swift recovery.
MvP: Paige Walder. Relished the opportunity to run the game in the second half, pipping the excellent Danielle Lane by a whisker.
Lewes: Lauren Dolbear, Hayley West, Rachel Palmer, Katie McIntyre ©, Leeta Rutherford, Claire Capon, Sian Heather, Natasha Wells, Paige Walder, Danielle Lane, Georgia Bridges
Lewes bench: Charlie Carter, Kim Stenning, Hayley Bridge
Brislington: Tallulah Wheeler, Sophie Whelan, Chloe Rogers, Jade Hatton, Polly Wardle, Chelsea Heal, Kim Maggs, Adele Brown, Shannon Osman, Georgia Vandries, Zoe Gunter.
Brislington bench: Sophie Allen
