Lewes FC Ladies 1 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies FC 6
FAWPL South, Sunday 18th September 2016
The Dripping Pan, Lewes
Spurs came into this fixture flying high at the top of the league. They left with a haul of goals and all three points having delivered a master-class in power, precision and lethal finishing.
Lewes knew they would need to be on their mettle to keep the league-leaders at arms’ length, but three goals in the first nine minutes rocked the Rookettes back on their heels. By the time the home side recovered – and they did, bravely matching their opponents in the second half – the points were heading North.
Bianca Baptiste, at her hungry, hunting best, fired a warning shot as early as the second minute, her long-range shot rising as it cleared the cross-bar. A minute later the visitors had the lead. West made one firm tackle but couldn’t recover to block the cross and Blanchflower arrived late to finish low past Dolbear.
Two minutes later came the goal of the game, perhaps of the season. A swift passing move found Nikita Whinnett, facing away from goal, twelve yards out. She rose, took the ball on her chest and as it dropped, swivelled to smash her volley into the opposite corner. It was a goal of such artistry even the jaded hacks in the press box stood to applaud. 0-2.
Six minutes gone, two up, but Spurs were in no mood to let up. Baptiste, feeding off lay-offs and knock-downs from Whinnett and Martin, got her first two minutes later, her low shot squirming under the diving Dolbear. 0-3.
Lewes collectively shook their heads and, lead by Newton and the excellent McIntyre, fought their way into the contest. Rebecca Carter chased down a back-pass, forcing a foul on Lane right of the D. Rachel Palmer’s free kick whistled just over Wayne’s crossbar.
Tottenham hit cruise control, pinging passes about, looking for spaces. Wendy Martin sprang clear only to find McIntyre on her in a flash, timing her challenge to perfection. West fought as she always does, winning possession, finding Lane who released the ever-lively Carter. Her early shot beat Wayne but cleared the bar by a foot.
On 24 minutes Lewes spurned a great chance to turn the tide. McIntyre, at the centre of all good things for the home side, saw her drive checked. Lane picked up the lose ball, found space on the left to send in a pinpoint pass. Stenning, six yards out, lost her marker before chipping her finish straight at Wayne.
Kelly Newton, pivotal in the Lewes centre, took a painful blow on her foot. She lasted only a few minutes before being replaced by Paige Walder on the half hour. Walder, keen to make an impression, found herself in the referee’s book with her first robust challenge, on Martin, a minute later. Eartha Pond struck a thunderous, dipping free kick, missing by inches. Another West challenge gave Pond the chance to show her dead-ball prowess once more, her corner met by Martin’s flying, hammer-head finish at the back post. 0-4.
West was pulled up for a strong challenge wide on the Lewes left. Pond fired in another fierce cross, met on the volley by Baptistse on the edge of the box. You don’t stop those. 0-5. HT
After the break Spurs brought Renee Hector on for the excellent Pond, Megan Lynch replacing Toni-Anne Wayne in goal. Baptiste spurned two early chances before Lewes upped a gear. Stenning won the ball, found Capon who centred for Walder as Lynch just beat her to the ball. Carter, tireless, took on Keown at full tilt. The Spurs defender backed off before timing her challenge as Carter showed too much of the ball.
On the hour Spurs brought Cheryl Williams on for Blanchflower. Schillaci, hugging the left touch-line, got away after a call for the ball in behind, Tammy Waine wise to the move to intercept. Lewes kept coming and on 62 minutes got the goal their endeavour deserved. Carter raced onto a well-timed Kim Stenning pass, rounding Lynch before slotting calmly into the bottom left corner. 1-5.
Just as it looked like Lewes might win the second half, Bianca Baptiste finished off her hat-trick with the best of the lot, timing her run perfectly to pick up a great pass before smashing her finish high into the Lewes net. 1-6.
Lewes MvP as chosen by match sponsor Martlets Builders was Rebecca ‘Chewie’ Carter. Tammy Waine and Hayley West worked hard against strong opponents, but for my money Katie McIntyre was outstanding.
For Spurs, Martin worked tirelessly, Pond’s deliveries caused chaos and Baptiste had a game to remember, but Nikita Whinnett’s finish, just 6 minutes in, was good enough to win a cup final.
Lewes have two weeks without a fixture. The next home game is a rematch under the floodlights with Pompey Ladies on Wednesday 5th October. Manager John Donoghue will take that time to assess and reset his squad after a tough run of games. As for Tottenham, I think we have just seen the favourites for the FAWPL South.
Lewes: Lauren Dolbear, Hayley West, Tammy Waine, Katie McIntyre, Claire Capon, Kelly Newton, Sian Heather, Danielle Lane, Rebecca Carter, Rachel Palmer, Kim Stenning
Subs: Gabby Baldock, Paige Walder, Charlie Carter, Georgia Bridges
Spurs: Toni-Anne Wayne, Lucia Leon, Alex Keown, Jenna Schillaci, Eartha Pond, Sophie McLean, Rhianna Scoobadoo, Wendy Martin, Kelley Blanchflower, Nikita Whinnett, Bianca Baptiste
Subs: Mehan Lynch, Cheryl Williams, Josie Green, Shannon Maloney, Renee Hector
Rookmeister & Gingeraction discuss the game over a Curly Wurly
