A new venue, a new town and a new team for Villa Ladies to go up against in the Championship on a nice and sunny(ish) day. We arrived at The Dripping Pan and made our way to the bar for a drink and was greeted by very welcoming staff and the Lewes fans, even though programme was online they had a club shop, hot food, bar and market stall with jewellery. Was greeted by a band of drummers with over 15 beating out a few tunes and we made our way over to the terrace the opposite of the ground where we was joined by other Villa fans as we started hanging out a few songs for ur beloved team. Burgers were needed after a few drinks including meeting with Tim for one before the game, once again staff were nice as were fans throughout the whole experience with complements on our support and singing.
Jodie Hutton had returned to the team which meant Alison Hall missed out for this game, but the rest of team remained the same as we headed for kicked off. As always Villa Ladies came out the blocks fast and with Jodie Hutton’s determination she broke through and hit a shot but didn’t have the power on it as it went straight to the keeper but a great start once again. Villa were much the dominate team in the early exchanges as they piled the pressure on Lewes with some great work by Sophie Haywood, Alice Hassall and Amy West which lead to the pressure creating a goal, 16 minutes into the game a beautifully lofted corner from Amy West saw the ball come to Jade Richards who rose above everyone heading the ball into the net giving Villa the 0-1 lead we had deserved from the way we had started. Jade collided with the post and for a second we panicked she was injured but she jumped straight back up to celebrate the goal if not holding her back a little, our fearless leader smashing the ball homeward bound, but not only her work at front but everything that came forward our defence dealt with as Hollie Gibson, Elisha N’Dow, Jade Richards and Asmita Ale dealt with everything that came forward not giving Lewes a sniff up front. Villa pushed and pushed to double the lead and the ball just didn’t seem to fall as once again in a regular theme Jodie Hutton broke through the defence of Lewes leaving her one on one with the keeper but unfortunately dragged her shot wide. A half that didn’t see Lewes create a lot because every time they got forward the defenders in Villa stopped them in their tracks, a lot of play was via our wings with a lot of nearly passes and almost, with Amy West setting up outside the box with a shot that didn’t change the score but after last week anything was possible while Amy was on the shot. Every player was working for each other near the end of the half and we were good for our lead int the break but somehow was only 0-1.
No substitute at half meant hopefully more of the same and nicking the second goal to give us some breathing space and that nearly happened straight away in second half as once again Jodie Hutton broke through to the edge of the box and hit the ball just wide of the goal leaving the score at 0-1 still, but once again the hard work was all by Villa as we attacked the goal and Jodie Hutton and Kerri Welsh came close once again but the ball wouldn’t just fall inside the net for us. Lewes were awarded a soft free kick for a handball that they nearly made count as Sian Rogers pulled off a fantastic save to keep the score at 0-1. Asmita Ale who had played so well once again she never ever lets the team down was replaced by Ashlee Brown at right back just after the hour mark. As always after dominating so much of the play Lewes started to build pressure on the Villa goal and we was made to rue the missed chances as a total worldie of a goal was unleashed by the Lewes player that Sian Rogers couldn’t get to making the score 1-1 on 72nd minute, could feel it coming as we had a dip in the game but we deserved to be leading but that is our luck this season. On the 73rd minute Alison Hall replaced Sophie Haywood who had ran a lot of game for us In first half and worked so hard Came off the pitch to a well deserved song and our 3rd and final substitution was Tanisha Smith on for Kerri Welsh In the 82nd minute. Near the end of game once again we came close but couldn’t quite make it count as the game came to an end at 1-1 a game we could of and should of won but we left with a point and again something to build on only a cracking strike could stop us.
An enjoyable day with like minded people seeing our team play so well can never be beaten leaving with a win would of been tops but it’s always a great feeling to see your team play so well, from the start to what we are building is a credit to everyone the pitch and on the touch line working hard to make us get the results we deserve. Gemma Davies had Martyn West as assistant today which again got so much good stuff to say on Martyn as he such a top bloke who bleeds claret and blue like us all. We play again on Saturday when we host London Bees and a returning Katie Wilkinson at Boldemere with a 7.30pm kick off. A game where we in the past have always had tight games with them so no doubt will be a cracker.
Sian Rogers – Pulled off few cracking saves during the game to keep us in the game and distributed the ball to our players so well.
Hollie Gibson – Worked hard with Jodie to link defence to attack and cause Lewes players troubles going forwards and backwards.
Jade Richards – Scored a beauty for us and showed how dangerous she is at both ends of the pitch as she was solid at the back.
Elisha N’Dow – Just like a cat at the back she chased down every single ball that came her way and kept Lewes at bay during the game.
Asmita Ale – Always Impresses on the pitch for Villa, works so hard to track back and win the ball back off Lewes players.
Sophie Haywood – Sophie worked so hard during the game to take on Lewes players and get Villa going towards the Lewes goal.
Alice Hassall – Kept Lewes from building in the middle of the pitch and worked effortlessly throughout the game.
Amy West – WestIsBest for me always, I may be a little biast but such a key part of what we do on the pitch, amazing player and an incredible person.
Nadine Hanssen – Had a midfield battle with the Lewes players trying to get Villa on the right foot and link up the midfield and attack.
Jodie Hutton – Ran the Lewes defence ragged and was so unlucky not to get a goal, always gives 110% on the pitch for the cause.
Kerri Welsh – Held the ball up well and worked so hard on and off the ball to get Villa going towards the Lewes goal
Ashlee Brown – Worked the wing with Alison and tried to stop Lewes gaining momentum and creating chances
Alison Hall – Tried to work up the wing with Ashlee to get forward and get Villa on the front foot in the second half
Tanisha Smith – Only got 8 minutes but as always worked hard in those minutes leaving players panicking when she came close.
Player Of The Match
Jade Richards
Not only did Jade score the goal that got us into the lead but her work at the back is always so important to us as she is such a quality player and so important as she always leads from the back as well, you can always depend on Jade to be there to clear the ball or help Villa keep a clean sheet.
