Four-midable ladies topple Lewes
Rianna Dean scored twice for Spurs Ladies as they continued their winning streak in the FA Women’s Championship with a 3-1 victory against Lewes FC Women.
Rianna Dean scored twice for Spurs Ladies as they continued their winning streak in the FA Women’s Championship with a 3-1 victory against Lewes FC Women, writes Rosie Bonass.
The ladies fell behind at The Dripping Pan after a tidy finish from Sarah Kempson gave Lewes an early advantage.
Spurs responded quickly with Bianca Baptiste providing the equaliser just two minutes after conceding and then a brace from Dean shortly after put the visitors in a comfortable position going into the break.
There was late drama deep into the first half as goalkeeper Chloe Morgan saved a penalty from former Spur Avilla Bergin.
The win leaves Spurs in second place, just one point behind the leaders Manchester United Women, with a game in hand and more importantly - their 100 per cent record remains intact with four out of four so far.
Manager Karen Hills made three changes to the side that were victorious against Crystal Palace Ladies in their last game as Anne Meiwald was handed her full debut at right back.
Youngster Jessica Naz was back in the starting line-up following her success with the England Under-19s and Bianca Baptiste started ahead of Angela Addison in attack.
The home side took the lead after 14 minutes through Kempson who struck the ball neatly into Morgan’s bottom right corner.
At the other end of the field, Baptiste capitalised on a sloppy back pass from Charley Boswell and carried the ball past Nina Wilson to shoot into an empty net and bring Spurs on level terms just two minutes later.
Dean, another player returning from international duty with England (Under-21s), gave Spurs the lead in the 32nd minute, finishing off a delightful move just outside the box that involved Naz and Sarah Wiltshire, firing the ball into the bottom right corner.
Naz was instrumental in Spurs' forward play once more and pressed the opposition just outside their penalty area to regain possession and set up Dean for the third goal just before the break.
But the eventful first half didn’t end there as moments later, the referee awarded Lewes a penalty in injury time as Josie Green was harshly penalised for a collision with Leeta Rutherford.
Bergin stepped up to take the spot kick for the home side but her effort towards the bottom right corner wasn’t enough to beat a composed Morgan from 12 yards.
Both teams had their chances after the interval but a very professional display from Spurs in the second half contributed significantly in securing a fourth straight league win.
Key moment
Bianca Baptiste's quick response after Lewes' early opener was important to the turn around but Chloe Morgan's save from Avilla Bergin's penalty in the final seconds of the first half to maintain the team's two-goal advantage is the key moment.
Manager's reaction
Karen Hills was pleased to see her team overcome Lewes’ tough challenge and praised Dean on her two goals.
“It was a difficult game and Lewes have done well this season so we knew it would be tough. We had to really concentrate today and we did well all over the pitch,” she said.
“It was a very good performance and now we're in a really strong position.
“After their goal went in we stepped up and brought ourselves back into the game and although they put us under a lot of pressure, I think we took a hold of the game and put in a professional display.
“I thought Rianna (Dean) was excellent in front of goal today and really owned that number nine role, and was unlucky in the end not to get a hat-trick.”
Match data
Goals: Lewes FC Women - Sarah Kempson 14; Spurs Ladies – Bianca Baptiste 16, Rianna Dean 32, 45.
Referee: Alexander Bradley.
Venue: The Dripping Pan, Lewes FC.
Attendance: 714.