Chelsea Ferguson bagged a brace as Lewes beat Fulham Women 2-1 in a National League Cup Group C clash at Motspur Park last night.
The Whites, fresh from a late league victory over Cambridge United on Sunday, started strongly with Jade Bradley’s early strike being deflected wide. Paula Howells went close with a rising drive for the visitors before Kayleigh Stead’s energy up front saw her almost create an opportunity from nothing when she charged down a clearance from Rooks goalkeeper Emily Moore – but the ball bounced away for a goal-kick.
Lewes, who were gradually getting into their stride, took the lead in the 24th minute with a wonderfully worked move. Sarah Harvey’s clearance was touched on by Rebekah Trewhitt for Howells. The former London Bees midfielder found Leah Lane, whose right wing cross was converted by the clinical Ferguson.
Stead skied over when she was left completely unattended at a free-kick eight minutes before the break – although the bounce made the finish exceptionally difficult. The former Hashtag United forward was inches away from a leveller a minute later when she lashed a 25-yarder just over the bar after Ella Tagliavini had won the ball back for Fulham.
Tagliavini made a terrific tackle on Lane to prevent the winger from getting a sight of goal five minutes in the second half before Sasha Adamson was denied an equaliser by an offside flag. Ferguson was dropping into dangerous areas in front of the home centre backs and the Rooks’ number nine unlocked the Fulham defence with a fine through ball for Lane, but the winger’s attempt lob was superbly pushed onto the near post by Jacqui Goldsmid.
Adamson, restored to her natural attacking position after finishing Sunday’s National League win in goal, tested Moore’s reflexes with a low effort but the Lewes goalkeeper saved smartly. That proved a crucial moment in the contest as Ferguson doubled the Tier 3 team’s advantage with seventeen minutes remaining. The former Brighton forward chased a long ball over the top and lofted a lovely finish over the onrushing Goldsmid. Ferguson was then withdrawn to a rapturous reception from the travelling Lewes fans.
Fulham responded well, however, and halved their arrears with eight minutes to play as Adamson’s left-wing cross was emphatically headed home by Stead. The Whites were now galvanised and pushed hard to complete an unlikely comeback with Megalie Mendes sending a free-kick fractionally over the bar. After Adamson had shot straight at Moore, Lewes had the chance to wrap up all three points but both Lane and Howells sent efforts agonisingly wide and the visitors had to survive a stoppage-time scare from a Fulham free-kick but Moore maintained her composure to claim the ball under pressure.
The Whites couldn’t quite fightback to earn a point and Steve Jaye’s side will look to bounce back by making it two wins from two in the league when take on Actonians at North Greenford United on Sunday at 2pm. You can get your tickets here.
FULHAM FC WOMEN: Goldsmid; Mendes, Stormer, Tagliavini (Dale 70), Milne; J. Bradley (Oliver 70), Stevens (Rutherford 63), N. Bradley (Parsonson 58), Adamson, Olds (Dungate 73); Stead. Subs (not used): Gandee Morgan.
GOAL: Stead (83).
LEWES FC WOMEN: Moore; Brant (Edwards 78), Godfrey, Trewhitt (Ginger 45), Howells, Rowe (Carpenter 52), Harvey, Gilligan (Banaras 45), Priest, Lane, Ferguson (Bell 78). Subs (not used): Rolf, Newman, Ginger.
BOOKED: Priest, Banaras.
GOALS: Ferguson (24, 73).
