Report: Lewes 2-0 Argyle Women
Argyle Women suffered a 2-0 defeat to Lewes in FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division action on Sunday at The Dripping Pan.
The hosts took an early lead through Sammy Quale’s freak ricochet, with Paula Howells adding a second after an error at the back.
Argyle started on the front foot, finding the running Charlotte Whitmore in the channels and causing problems for the backtracking Lewes defence.
Despite the opening pressure, momentum turned to the hosts, when a freak ricochet handed them the lead in the opening 10 minutes. Goalkeeper Lily Felgate’s clearance was blocked by Quayle, and the ball bounced into the back of the net.
As the half went on, the Greens built into the game and created more chances in the final third, however, Lewes had the fair share of their opportunities as well.
Long-range efforts and set-piece attempts from the Rooks tested Felgate, but the Argyle keeper was able to get behind all shots and claim the ball comfortably.
The Greens' best opportunity of the first half came in the 38th minute when Lulu Jarvis shifted onto her right foot and unleashed an effort from outside the box, which required a reactive save from Emily Moore.
The final minutes of the first 45 saw Argyle maintain possession in Lewes’ half, but they could not create any chances in front of goal.
The start of the second half replicated the first, with the Greens pushing forward and creating chances in the Lewes final third.
However, after the hour mark, Howells latched onto a loose pass in Argyle’s box and slotted home easily, doubling the hosts’ lead.
Lewes’ defence continued to hold out until the final whistle, with Argyle’s tired legs on show in the dying minutes.
Head Coach Ryan Perks said: “We've gifted Lewes three points today. It just wasn't good enough. We didn't do anything with the ball.
“I thought we lacked a little bit of enthusiasm without the ball. I've praised the players for performances and not quite getting the results, but the performance level wasn't good enough today. If you take the two goals out of this game, it's pretty even, but, we were poor today and not good enough.”
After a long run of away trips, Home Park plays host to an important game on Wednesday, 9 October. Under the lights at the Theatre of Greens, a Devon Derby awaits, with Exeter City making the journey down. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
Argyle: 1 Lily Felgate, 5 Giota Papaioannou (capt), 6 Taya Pomfret, 7 Charlotte Whitmore, 8 Imy Crawford (2 Katie Dickson, 63), 9 Ellie Sara (20 Fern Orchard, 80), 10 Georgia Wilson (4 Amii Kearley, 63), 16 Ella Stephens, 17 Lulu Jarvis (3 Roxy Thomas, 80), 24 Ava Kukyen (15 Georgie Knott, 80), 26 Caitlin Smith. Substitutes: 56 Comfort Erhabor, 14 Kelsey Blight.
Booked: Stephens 24, Knott 87
Lewes: 1 Emily Moore, 3 Maddie Bryant, 4 Sydney Schreimaier, 6 Hannah Godfrey (capt), 8 Layla Proctor, 10 Olivia Carpenter (11 Adekite Fatuga-Dada, 66), 14 Paula Howells (20 Poppy Derhun, 84), 15 Lucy Connolly-Brame, 16 Sarah Harvey, 17 Sammy Quayle, 18 Lois Roche. Substitutes: 13 Ella Hunkin, 5 Izzy Glass-Oliver, 7 Che Thomas, 9 Muna Eze, 21 Katie Gilligan.
Goals: Quayle 9, Howells 64
