Albion Women ended 2012 with a narrow victory over Lewes in a hotly-contested Sussex derby at Withdean...
The three points were sealed when Rookettes defender, Vicky Elcombe slid the ball into her own net with just seven minutes left on the clock, ensuring Jay Lovett’s side made the perfect end to the year.
It was not a vintage performance by Albion, but the result could be vital as the Seagulls moved to within four points of Reading at the top of the table.
The match was an even contest with chances falling to both sides; as Lily Agg and Catherine O’Hagan had early shots on goal, before Kim Stenning’s curling effort was headed behind by Kate McIntyre.
The away side then had a sustained spell of pressure just before half-time as Hayley Cunningham delivered in a number of deadly crosses that created havoc in the Albion defence, before Ashley Goddard’s ball was headed over by Clare Trafford.
Both teams had early chances in the second-half, when Jodie Botterill fired her shot over the bar and Stenning saw her effort go narrowly wide.
But the best chance of the match fell to Goddard, who capitalised on a slack back-pass and stormed one-on-one with Albion keeper Charlotte Sole only to fire wide of the target in the 60th minute.
The final 30 minutes provided end-to-end action as both teams sought that vital winning goal. O’Hagan saw her effort saved by Lewes keeper, Michelle Beazley, before Faye Rabson headed over the bar.
Sophie Perry, who was making her Albion debut, also had a long-range effort, but fired wide of the target.
It looked like the game was heading for a stalemate, until Rabson’s cross from the right was slid into the net by Rookettes defender Elcombe as she attempted to clear the danger.
It was a cruel blow for Lewes but elation for Albion, especially after the last-minute heartache at Gillingham the previous week.
The result means Albion are now unbeaten in eight matches at home, winning seven and drawing one so far this season.
Manager Lovett admitted he expected a tough encounter against their local rivals, but feels the three points could be vital at the end of the season.
He said, “We always knew it would be a tough game against our local rivals in a derby, it could have ended six-all with the chances created. But we can look back on that game and say that it was a well-deserved three points.”
He was also pleased with Perry’s performance on her debut, with the Chelsea full-back moving to Albion temporarily during the Super League off-season.
“She did a really good job on her debut and linked up play very well; I like my full-backs to squeeze on, joining in with the wide players and she did that, putting some very good crosses into the box.”
Albion: (4-3-3) Sole (GK); Cheshire, Ryan (c), James (Waine 53), Perry; Barton, Agg, Boswell; O’Hagan (Adams 90+2), Stenning, Boswell. Sub not used: Carter.
Original article
The three points were sealed when Rookettes defender, Vicky Elcombe slid the ball into her own net with just seven minutes left on the clock, ensuring Jay Lovett’s side made the perfect end to the year.
It was not a vintage performance by Albion, but the result could be vital as the Seagulls moved to within four points of Reading at the top of the table.
The match was an even contest with chances falling to both sides; as Lily Agg and Catherine O’Hagan had early shots on goal, before Kim Stenning’s curling effort was headed behind by Kate McIntyre.
The away side then had a sustained spell of pressure just before half-time as Hayley Cunningham delivered in a number of deadly crosses that created havoc in the Albion defence, before Ashley Goddard’s ball was headed over by Clare Trafford.
Both teams had early chances in the second-half, when Jodie Botterill fired her shot over the bar and Stenning saw her effort go narrowly wide.
But the best chance of the match fell to Goddard, who capitalised on a slack back-pass and stormed one-on-one with Albion keeper Charlotte Sole only to fire wide of the target in the 60th minute.
The final 30 minutes provided end-to-end action as both teams sought that vital winning goal. O’Hagan saw her effort saved by Lewes keeper, Michelle Beazley, before Faye Rabson headed over the bar.
Sophie Perry, who was making her Albion debut, also had a long-range effort, but fired wide of the target.
It looked like the game was heading for a stalemate, until Rabson’s cross from the right was slid into the net by Rookettes defender Elcombe as she attempted to clear the danger.
It was a cruel blow for Lewes but elation for Albion, especially after the last-minute heartache at Gillingham the previous week.
The result means Albion are now unbeaten in eight matches at home, winning seven and drawing one so far this season.
Manager Lovett admitted he expected a tough encounter against their local rivals, but feels the three points could be vital at the end of the season.
He said, “We always knew it would be a tough game against our local rivals in a derby, it could have ended six-all with the chances created. But we can look back on that game and say that it was a well-deserved three points.”
He was also pleased with Perry’s performance on her debut, with the Chelsea full-back moving to Albion temporarily during the Super League off-season.
“She did a really good job on her debut and linked up play very well; I like my full-backs to squeeze on, joining in with the wide players and she did that, putting some very good crosses into the box.”
Albion: (4-3-3) Sole (GK); Cheshire, Ryan (c), James (Waine 53), Perry; Barton, Agg, Boswell; O’Hagan (Adams 90+2), Stenning, Boswell. Sub not used: Carter.
Original article