FA Women’s Championship: Lewes Women 1 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 3
Rianna Dean scored twice for Tottenham Hotspur Ladies as they continued their winning streak in the FA Women’s Championship with a 3-1 victory away to Lewes FC Women on Sunday.
Spurs fell behind at the Dripping Pan after a tidy finish from Sarah Kempson gave the hosts an early advantage.
Karen Hills’ saw her team respond 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 made a good save to deny a penalty kick from ex-Tottenham player, Avilla Bergin, to maintain their two goal cushion.
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.
Manager Hills made three changes to the side that were victorious against Crystal Palace Ladies in their last encounter 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 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 Tottenham the lead in the 32nd minute, finishing off a delightful move just outside the box, which involved Naz and Sarah Wiltshire, to fire 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.
The two teams had their chances after the interval yet a very professional display from Spurs in the second half contributed significantly in securing a fourth straight league win.
Lewes FC Women: Nina Wilson, Avilla Bergin, Charlie Boswell, Daniele Lane, Katie Mcintyre, Leeta Rutherfood, Rebecca Thompson-Agbro, Samantha Quayle (Natasha Wells 79), Sarah Kempson, Shannon Moloney (Rebecca Carter 62), Georgia Robert.
Unused substitutes: Rosie Paye, Charlotte Owen, Faye Baker
Spurs Ladies: Chloe Morgan, Anne Meiwald (Lucia Leon 62), Josie Green, Renee Hector, Sarah Wiltshire (Angela Addison 74), Rianna Dean, Jenna Schillaci, Jessica Naz, Ashleign Neville, Bianca Baptiste (Megan Wynne 84), Coral Jade Haines.
Unused substitutes: Emma Gibbon, Sophie Mclean, Wendy Martin, Ryah Vyse
Attendance: 714.
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