Tough physical tussle with top-of-the-table Horsham see Lewes defeated up at Tanbridge

Truly missed some players today, but a really good showing from the majority of the squad. Freya Colvin saving some cracking shots on goal, although my particular favourite passage of goalkeeping was the seated saving manoeuvres followed by the lying-down saving. Genius skill level as it was too, with a defender eventually clearing off the line and pressure eased.

First goal conceded was undoubtedly off a Lewes stick, disconcerting both teams, but this was unfortunately not the only gift that the greens insisting on bestowing on the opposition. The first half was characterised by such benevolence, unfortunately not just the gifting of possession but the generosity continued with us allowing them time and space on the ball too. A team of this stature doesn’t need to be accepting such charity, but boy did they capitalise on it… their former England player slotting home a fantastic goal before the end of the first half bringing the tally to 2-0.

Lewes regrouped at half-time and tightened up on the possession – with some lovely work in pairs and triangles, particularly down the right-hand side. Lovely supporting work and commitment from Mia Childs, linking well with Gabi Shaw and it was smashing to see Kate ‘Bert’ Lambourne back supporting them down the right. An absolute belter of a goal from Zoe Richards, who came looking for and found work beautifully but finished a gorgeous passage of play between Gabi and Mia by firing the ball over the head of the keeper.
Second half was a draw with a goal apiece, the opposition goal from the follow-up to a penalty-corner that I will wear the dubious badge of a badly bruised knee earning that short for Horsham.

A very physical game, which saw the defence especially getting battered and bruised. Lucy Nuttal stepped up to the challenge brilliantly and held her own despite some interesting muscular tactics from the opposition. Great organisational work through the middle from Jan ‘Goldie’ Goldsmith who received a belter of a ball to the ankle to thank her for her efforts, which saw her game finishing pretty much at half-time. Hope it heals quickly for you Gold-thang, good thing we have a couple of weeks to heal. Naomi Blackwell had a stormer as her replacement in the middle in addition to her brilliance on the left, her usual uncompromising style adorned this week with a little fruitiness in her verbal response earning her a nice little chat with the umpire!

Player’s Player today saw a handful of players receiving a split of the votes – which is fair and just as there was some brilliant commitment and effort across the pitch – well done to Freya, Lucy, Gabi and Mia for sharing Trevor and the Unicorn of Truth.