Albion's women earned a narrow 1-0 win over Eastbourne Town thanks to Chantelle Strudwick's second half strike...
A young Albion side are through to the Sussex Women’s Challenge Cup semi-finals following a narrow 1-0 victory over Eastbourne Town.The win means Jay Lovett’s side now face Bexhill United, as they make the next step towards a successful defence of the trophy.
Lovett made seven changes to the side that beat Reading last week; giving the likes of Megan Stow and Paige Adams a chance to prove themselves in the first team, while Rebecca Simmons came off the bench to make her debut.
The first-half was a rather sluggish affair, as the Seagulls struggled to break down a stubborn Town defence; but they almost took the lead after Adams ran one-on-one with the keeper, although she took a touch too far and the ball was collected by keeper Sarah Walshaw.
Kirsty Barton then fired a shot just over the bar from 20 yards, before Lucy Somes had a go from distance and forced Walshaw to make a save low to her right.
But the away side also created a number of opportunities, with Janine Daly seeing her effort saved by Lucy Mangan, before Beth Richardson shot just wide of the target.
Albion began the second-half with more intensity, as Somes unleashed a fierce shot that hit the underside of the bar almost immediately after the restart; and substitute, Lily Agg fired wide moments later.
It seemed the home side were running out ideas until Chantelle Strudwick’s superb individual effort broke the deadlock in the 61st minute.
She cut inside the Town defence and saw her long-range strike nestle in the top right-hand corner, leaving Walshaw with no chance.
The Seagulls then went in pursuit of further goals, as Sara Hinton’s cross was nearly headed in for an own-goal by Alison Read, before Agg headed over after meeting Barton’s ball into the box; Jodie Jacobs also had a shot from distance that was saved.
But Town refused to give up, as Emma Parslow’s shot deep into injury time forced Mangan to make a fine save to her right; and prevented the match from going into extra time.
It was hardly a vintage performance, but Lovett was pleased to allow his promising youngsters another chance to shine in Albion’s fourth consecutive victory in all competitions.
He told seagulls.co.uk, “I don’t think we put in a performance we’d normally put in; our passing was a bit sloppy compared to what it normally is, but the sign of a good team is the ability to grind out a result.
“In a game like that, it’s always good to make a few changes, so the younger players can experience first-team football in a cup competition. It’s good practice for them and they know what to expect if they’re ever called upon again.”
Albion defender Jacobs also agreed with her manager’s opinion that the performance was not at the usual level, but insisted there was a marked improvement after half-time.
She added, “We gave them a lot of respect in the game and weren’t at our best tactically in the first half, but we played much better after half time. Personally I was pleased with my distribution and physical presence, but there’s always room for improvement when we play Millwall next week.”
Albion: Mangan (GK); Carter, Ryan (c), Jacobs, Hinton; Strudwick (Simmons 71), Barton, Found (Agg 45), Stow; Adams, Somes.
Original article
A young Albion side are through to the Sussex Women’s Challenge Cup semi-finals following a narrow 1-0 victory over Eastbourne Town.The win means Jay Lovett’s side now face Bexhill United, as they make the next step towards a successful defence of the trophy.
Lovett made seven changes to the side that beat Reading last week; giving the likes of Megan Stow and Paige Adams a chance to prove themselves in the first team, while Rebecca Simmons came off the bench to make her debut.
The first-half was a rather sluggish affair, as the Seagulls struggled to break down a stubborn Town defence; but they almost took the lead after Adams ran one-on-one with the keeper, although she took a touch too far and the ball was collected by keeper Sarah Walshaw.
Kirsty Barton then fired a shot just over the bar from 20 yards, before Lucy Somes had a go from distance and forced Walshaw to make a save low to her right.
But the away side also created a number of opportunities, with Janine Daly seeing her effort saved by Lucy Mangan, before Beth Richardson shot just wide of the target.
Albion began the second-half with more intensity, as Somes unleashed a fierce shot that hit the underside of the bar almost immediately after the restart; and substitute, Lily Agg fired wide moments later.
It seemed the home side were running out ideas until Chantelle Strudwick’s superb individual effort broke the deadlock in the 61st minute.
She cut inside the Town defence and saw her long-range strike nestle in the top right-hand corner, leaving Walshaw with no chance.
The Seagulls then went in pursuit of further goals, as Sara Hinton’s cross was nearly headed in for an own-goal by Alison Read, before Agg headed over after meeting Barton’s ball into the box; Jodie Jacobs also had a shot from distance that was saved.
But Town refused to give up, as Emma Parslow’s shot deep into injury time forced Mangan to make a fine save to her right; and prevented the match from going into extra time.
It was hardly a vintage performance, but Lovett was pleased to allow his promising youngsters another chance to shine in Albion’s fourth consecutive victory in all competitions.
He told seagulls.co.uk, “I don’t think we put in a performance we’d normally put in; our passing was a bit sloppy compared to what it normally is, but the sign of a good team is the ability to grind out a result.
“In a game like that, it’s always good to make a few changes, so the younger players can experience first-team football in a cup competition. It’s good practice for them and they know what to expect if they’re ever called upon again.”
Albion defender Jacobs also agreed with her manager’s opinion that the performance was not at the usual level, but insisted there was a marked improvement after half-time.
She added, “We gave them a lot of respect in the game and weren’t at our best tactically in the first half, but we played much better after half time. Personally I was pleased with my distribution and physical presence, but there’s always room for improvement when we play Millwall next week.”
Albion: Mangan (GK); Carter, Ryan (c), Jacobs, Hinton; Strudwick (Simmons 71), Barton, Found (Agg 45), Stow; Adams, Somes.
Original article