Match Report: London Bees 1-0 Lewes

A nice looking day at The Hive, if not a little Stormy at times saw London Bees host Lewes, the team in Amber taking on the team in White. Sarah Quantrill and Rhian Cleverly met in the middle to do the coin toss and get the game underway.

 

London Bees came out the blocks the fastest putting Lewes on the back foot early on. A corner from Charlie Estcourt saw Nicola Gibson head over the bar early on. Lewes couldn’t seem to get going as London Bees were playing some great build-up football but couldn’t find the final ball.

 

Ellie Leek was an outlet for Lewes and her play with Simran Jhamat saw Evie Gane and Georgia Robert make the important block. Ellie Leek had the first real chance of note for Lewes but her drilled effort was tipped over the bar by Sarah Quantrill for a corner on the 18th minute.

 

London Bees were next to have a golden chance as Amelia Hazard broke up the wing with pace and picked out Lauren Pickett at the far post and just as it looked like the deadlock had been broken, the ball sailed over the goal as she couldn’t keep her header under the bar.

 

London Bees were on top but Lewes were slowly starting to grow into the game. Lewes were starting to cause Bees troubles but again the defence looked strong and solid. Brooke Nunn worked hard down the wing to get the ball into a dangerous position but Melisa Filis’s header goes wide of the target. The half time whistle went with the score at 0-0 with London Bees looking the better team but Lewes always dangerous on the counter.

 

The second half started with Lewes making a change, Ellie Noble came on for Flippa Savva.

 

Melisa Filis had the first effort of the second half on the 48th minute when she turned and forced Tatiana Saunders to make the save. Charlie Estcourt showed her skills as a set-piece was hit towards the goal forcing Saunders into another save.

 

Lewes tried to hit Bees on the counter and as Danni Lane tried to get in behind Evie Gane tracked and blocked her efforts. The game-changing moment happened on the 54th minute as Lauren Pickett backed into the defender and ended up going down. The referee awarded the penalty to Lewes’ disbelief, especially to Rhian Cleverly who picked up a booking for the offence. Lauren Pickett stepped up and slammed it home into the top corner sending Saunders the wrong way and giving London Bees the 1-0 lead with just over 30 mins left to play.

Charlie Estcourt nearly made it 2-0 when she hit another wonderful free-kick but it got deflected wide of the target.

 

Lewes made two changes with Danni Lane and Emily Donovan coming off for Hannah Griffin and Lucy Porter coming on. Both teams were trying to create with a fairly even game but both defences being on top.

Amelia Hazard and Brooke Nunn nearly worked their way into a chance on the Lewes goal but some fantastic defending by Lucy Porter saw the ball get cleared.

 

With 76 minutes on the clock and Lewes were readying another two changes as Ellie Leek and Simran Jhamat were replaced by Emma Jones and returning Paula Howells. 80 minutes and London Bees made their first change as Lauren Pickett made way for Mariane Taho.

Lewes were trying to throw everything at Bees but Evie Gane once again was fantastic at the back. Melisa Filis hit a shot come cross that fired across the goal but no one was there to force it in on the 84th minute.

 

The 84th minute London Bees brought on Georgia Giddings for Brooke Nunn. Lewes were appealing for a penalty as Lucy Porter’s shot struck the defender as handball was requested but nothing was given, no penalty.

Lewes were applying pressure going into the last few minutes as once again Lucy Porter was at the heart of things as she hit a beautiful volley but it struck her own player.

The final attempt of the match also went to Lewes and was so unlucky as Megan Mackey unleashed a rocket that cannoned off the crossbar but stayed out of the goal as the final whistle went with the score being 1-0 to London Bees. London Bees were the better team overall but Lewes were always dangerous on the counter.

London Bees: Sarah Quantrill, Georgia Robert, Evie Gane, Sophie Mclean, Amelia Hazard, Lauren Pickett, Brooke Nunn, Melisa Filis, Charlie Estcourt, Flo Gamby, Nicola Gibson

Subs – Mariane Taho for Lauren Pickett (80) – Georgia Giddings for Brooke Nunn (84)

 

Lewes: Tatiana Sanders, Sammy Quayle, Rhian Cleverly, Danni Lane, Ellie Hack, Simran Jhamat, Ellie Leek, Emily Donovan, Sophie O’Rourke, Flippa Savva, Megan Mackey
Subs – Ellie Noble for Flippa Savva (45) – Lucy Porter & Hannah Griffin for Danni Lane & Emily Donovan (65) – Emma Jones & Paula Howells for Ellie Leek & Simran Jhamat (76)