Lewes claimed victory in the Sussex Girls’ Challenge Cup (Under-14s) yesterday morning, after beating Lewes Juniors 3-0 in front of 110 spectators at Culver Road.

Lewes started the game strong, entering Lewes Juniors’ half from the very beginning and pressing slowly but steadily. 

Their efforts were rewarded with a goal in the 20th minute, when Lewes’ Jess Fry cut inside and slid the ball into Juniors’ goalkeeper Safi Bliss’ net, nestling in the bottom left corner, despite Bliss’ heroic dive.  

Lewes Juniors did not let their heads drop after that first goal though, and tried their luck soon after, but a scramble in Lewes’ box did not lead to much.

However, just minutes later, Lewes slotted home their second goal of the morning, Freya Hutchinson doubling her team’s lead after Juniors’ Bliss saved a long-range effort from Holly Zorn but could only parry the shot into the path of F. Hutchison, who made no mistake.

Zorn came close to getting a goal herself just moments later, this time with F. Hutchison playing a ball across the face of goal, but she was unable to keep her effort down. 

It was Bliss again who had her hands full in added time of the first-half, when she pulled off a remarkable save, reacting quickly to deny Lewes’ Esme Harris who almost had her team’s third goal in the bag.

Lewes Juniors had a few opportunities in the second-half but could not quite capitalize on any of them.

Lewes were on the attack early in the half, and they extended their lead even further after Holly Wilson scored from a corner, taking it short and playing a one-two with Arianna Elvin-Speller, before sending a ball into the box which curled and eluded everyone, to nestle into the far corner.

Things then looked like they could get worse for the Juniors, as in the 45th minute, referee Steve Warren awarded Lewes a penalty after a foul committed on Mia Hutchison by Lewes Juniors’ Lola Piper-Rodgers. However, M. Hutchison’s spot kick flew over the bar.

M. Hutchison tried her luck again just minutes later but was denied by a diving Bliss, who got a fist to it, and this time the ball fell to a Junior defender who was able to clear.

Juniors pressed on until the very end of the game, with Ela Ramshaw going clean through on goal, but Darcey Hadfield did well to come out to meet her and claim the ball before she was able to get her shot away. 

It was a spirited effort from Juniors, but Lewes were able to hold firm to win the Sussex Girls’ Challenge Cup (Under-14s).

Speaking after the game, Lewes coach Tim Heal was very happy with his team’s win.

“I think we controlled the game, but we struggled quite a lot because they defended really well,” he said.

“It was important to start well in the second-half and add that extra bit of pressure,” he added. 

He also thanked the parents for their constant support of the team and for providing a great atmosphere at Culver Road.

(Video highlights are available above and on YouTube - courtesy of Your Instant Replay)

(A selection of photographs can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Simon Roe Photography)

Stats: (Lewes Juniors-Lewes): Goals (0-3), Shots (4-19), Shots on target (1-9), Corners (1-2), Fouls (3-3), Yellow cards (0-0), Red cards (0-0).

Lewes Juniors: Bliss, Woollard, Groves, Goodbrand, Teague, Boyes, Scarle, Holder, Hill, Ansell, Ellis.
Subs: Clayton, Piper-Rogers, Ramshaw, Rossi, Dove.

Lewes: Hadfield, Elvin-Speller, Fouracres, Robertson, Wilson, Harris, Zorn, Fry, Legg, Clover, Hanlon.
Subs: Beck, Ratcliffe, Percy, F. Hutchison, M. Hutchison.