Lewes FC Ladies 2016-17

[Sweder]

Lewes FC Ladies 1 Portsmouth LFC 2
FA WPL, Dripping Pan, Lewes
Weds 5th October 7.45pm
 
PORTSMOUTH TURN THE TIDE TO TAKE THREE POINTS
Lewes rue missed chances to let lead slip
 
Lewes missed several chances to put this game to bed before Portsmouth rallied to mount an impressive comeback under the lights at the Dripping Pan. Both sides were bolstered by recent signings from out-of-season Brighton and Hove Albion, Lewes looking to avenge a narrow 4-3 defeat from the previous encounter.
 
The home side started brightly, led by Rebecca Carter, an effervescent striker who looked to be in mean mood from the off. In defence Leeta Rutherford, just signed from Portsmouth, teamed up with the excellent Tammy Waine in the Lewes defence.
 
Portsmouth lost Gemma Hillier to injury on 15 minutes as the hosts took a grip, and ten minutes later, the lead. Hayley West found the perfect pass inside, unleashing Carter who raced in to beat Trodd to the ball and slot home. 
1-0.
 
Carter should have doubled her tally before the break, stealing in after Trodd saved Barton’s long-ranger. Trodd made herself big, Carter blasting over rather than taking the ball round the keeper. HT 1-0
 
If Lewes thought the job was done they were soon reminded of what a tough league this is. Lisa Fulgence, on loan from BHA, punished them twice. First a mix-up in the Lewes defence left keeper Dolbear stranded, Fulgence gleefully sliding the ball into an unguarded net.
 
Ten minutes later Lewes committed a cardinal sin. Firmly believing Fulgence to be offside they appealed as one. Fulgence, in the spirit of ‘play to the whistle’, continued her run to finish unopposed. The assistant’s flag remained down, and after a brief consultation the goal was awarded. 1-2.
 
Lewes lost the injured Carter, replaced by Georgia Bridges, but not their attacking momentum. Bridges’s pacey style offering Portsmouth plenty to ponder. Sarah Kempson ran the midfield for Pompey, setting up chances for Natkiel, who forced a brilliant save from Dolbear on 75 minutes. Barton and Natkiel both saw chances wide before the end. FT 1-2
 
Lewes boss John Donoghue:
‘Portsmouth worked their socks off, with no little quality. They’ve added to their team, which is obviously significant for them. But so have we, and I think we were very good in the first half.’
 
Lewes: Lauren Dolbear, Hayley West, Tammy Waine, Katie McIntyre ©, Leeta Rutherford, Kirsty Barton, Sian Heather, Danni Lane, Rebecca Carter, Rachel Palmer, Kim Stenning
Subs: Charlotte Young, Georgia Bridges