Match Report: Lewes Ladies 2 - 5 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
Sunday 2nd March 2008 at The Dripping Pan, Lewes FC
Match Report: Lewes Ladies 2 - 5 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
(South East Combination)
Diamonds Ladies played some of their best football this season as they raced into the half time break with a 3-1 advantage. After Lewes' recent signing Emma Mead had cancelled out Mikaela Welford's early goal, Ashley Palmer and Aileen Whelan gave Diamonds the two goal lead. Molly Marsh added a fourth before Kerry Tagg got another back for the home side, but Anna McLeod restored Diamonds three goal advantage on the stroke of full time.
Diamonds went with three up front, Ashley Palmer playing a central role, with player manager Vicky Gallagher on the left, and Mikaela Welford on the right. Charly Wright was named on the bench, while Amy O'Brien came in for Molly Marsh at right back. Lewes had former
Both sides started well with some good movement although neither side was able to carve out an early opportunity. As with the match between the two sides earlier this season, the Rooks and Diamonds both chose to play the ball to feet rather than relying on the long ball, but as the game progressed, Diamonds started to control midfield with some excellent one touch passing. Some good play between Fay Howell and Vicky Gallagher on the left set up a chance for Mikaela Welford and fellow striker Ashley Palmer but the Lewes defence did well to clear the danger. After 15 minutes however, Diamonds took the lead. Palmer's ball into the edge of the area was flicked on by Gallagher and Mikaela Welford was on hand to nod the ball over the keeper and into the net.
Palmer nearly added a second as Lewes keeper Trish Gower did well to block the shot with her legs and moments later, Diamonds were made to pay. On 20 minutes, Kirsty Spice played the ball through the centre to Emma Mead who lobbed the ball over the advancing Charlene Ward for the equaliser. The celebrations were barely over though as Diamonds restored the lead within 60 seconds. Aileen Whelan picked the ball up close to the halfway line and ran towards goal. Her shot from the edge of the area was parried away by keeper Gower, and Ashley Palmer was on hand to knock in the rebound.
Diamonds were playing with confidence in all positions as the home side had difficulty breaking down some fine attacking play. Gallagher's overhead kick from a Jade Linnell corner struck the bar, although Lewes were dangerous on the break with Mead having another chance to put the home side level on 32 minutes - Ward being grateful to pluck an attempted lob out of the air. As Diamonds attacked again with a Linnell free kick, the defence failed to clear the danger and Aileen Whelan blasted the ball into the net from 10 yards.
Leanna Doyle's free kick from just inside the Lewes half on 35 minutes saw Gower do well to knock the ball away after Gallagher shot from 15 yards and before the whistle, Whelan had a shot blocked by Lesley Smith, while Linnell shot over.
Half time: Lewes Ladies 1 - 3 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
Injuries forced Diamonds to make two substitutions at the start of the second half. Fay Howell and Caroline Moran both picked up knocks, with Charly Wright and Anna McLeod coming on from the bench. Lewes also made two changes with Ria Rottner and Chelsea Lee replacing Lauren Harding and Kate McMillan. Diamonds seemed to lose a lot of their rhythm as they tried to recreate the superb form from the first half but neither side caused much goal-mouth pressure. Lewes started to get back into the game but without troubling the Diamonds goal.
Molly Marsh replaced Ashley Palmer just before the hour, with Charly Wright moving forward to a more attacking role. Marsh tried to exploit the right flank and set up Anna McLeod to shoot just wide. Gallagher fired a free kick into the side netting after Whelan was fouled as the home side was put under increasing pressure and Diamonds increased their lead on 77 minutes as Gallagher sent Welford clear on goal. As the keeper tried to narrow the angle, Welford laid the ball right for Molly Marsh to fire the ball home into the empty net.
Lewes did not give up however and in the final ten minutes, caused Diamonds some concern. In the reverse game at the Dog & Duck earlier in the season, Diamonds had thrown away two late goals to hand Lewes the three points and when a deflected clearance fell nicely for Kerry Tagg to pull one back for the home side, there were fears of a late revival. Ria Rottner missed a great opportunity to get another back, but right on the stroke of full time, Wright's cross was dummied by Whelan to allow Anna McLeod to shoot past Gower from the edge of the area to finish off a fine performance.
Full time: Lewes Ladies 2 - 5 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
The first half performance from Diamonds was probably their best 45 minutes of the season and to do it against arguably one of the best footballing sides in the League made it even better. Lack of consistency however means they are fighting for a top three spot rather than promotion. On Wednesday evening, they play their eighth consecutive away game when they take on rivals Northampton Town at Bugbrooke St.Michael FC (7:45pm kick-off), while the final League game of the season will see Bedford Town Bells visit the Dog & Duck next Sunday (2pm kick-off).
Teams:
Lewes: Trish Gower, Zoe Jackson, Emma Wood, Lesley Smith, Helen Whitton, Kelly Newton(c), Kate McMillan (Chelsea Lee HT), Kiera Chapman, Emma Mead (Kerry Tagg 70), Kirsty Spice, Lauren Harding (Ria Rottner HT).
Subs not used: Serena Everett.
Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Charlene Ward, Amy O'Brien, Fay Howell (Charly Wright HT), Kirsty Cooper(c), Leanna Doyle, Caroline Moran (Anna McLeod HT), Jade Linnell, Vicky Gallagher, Ashley Palmer (Molly Marsh 58), Aileen Whelan, Mikaela Welford.
Subs not used: Nil.
Goals: Mikaela Welford 15 (0-1), Emma Mead 20 (1-1), Ashley Palmer 21 (1-2), Aileen Whelan 33 (1-3), Molly Marsh 77 (1-4), Kerry Tagg 84 (2-4), Anna McLeod 90 (2-5).
Referee: Mr D,Lyons
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Other results (SE Combination)
Forthcoming fixtures:
5
9
23
Reserve Team fixture:
Midland Combination Reserves
Rushden & Diamonds 0 Leafield Athletic 2
