Eastbourne Town
Football Club
Ladies Team
Latest L&SE Ladies League Table & Results HERE
EASTBOURNE TOWN LADIES 5
BOREHAM WOOD LADIES 0
L&SERWFL Premier Division
The Saffrons Sunday 29th January 2012
Team performances have become a trademark of Town Ladies this season
so, despite putting in another excellent all round game, it was
unusual to see one player stand out as much as Vicky Phillips did on
Sunday at the Saffrons as Town entertained Boreham Wood.
Showing exceptional energy from start to finish Phillips bagged
three goals, set up Stav Panayiotou for a fourth and drove a shot
goalwards that could only be turned home by a Boreham Wood defender.
This was probably the most one sided game that the league
leaders have played all season and, if it had not been for an
inspired effort by the visitor's goalkeeper along with some dogged
defending, the Town Ladies may well have rattled up a double figure
goal haul. It took the hosts just 16 minutes to open the scoring
as Phillips notched her first of the game before she doubled the
lead on 30 minutes. With Town enjoying most of the possession,
Phillips then slid a perfectly weighted pass into Panayiotou’s
path that allowed her to give Town a 3 – 0 advantage. With virtually
the last kick before the half time interval, Phillips’ completed
a very satisfying hat trick.
After the break Town again came storming out of the traps and soon
added a fifth goal when a strong goal bound effort from Phillips
was helped into the net by a Boreham Wood defender who had little
option other than to attempt to block the shot. Eastbourne Town's
defence again produced a clean sheet, while Beth Richardson and Emma
Parslow made appearances as a stand in goalkeeper. Parslow’s
second half outfield introduction was also important for Eastbourne
Town as it signalled the return of yet another key player from the
injured list, giving Town a near complete squad for the
crucial, upcoming phase of the season as they take on second and
third place teams in league matches and play their two tough cup
semi finals in the space of three weeks.
Person of the Match - Vicky Phillips for her superb and influential
contribution.
AFC WIMBLEDON 1 EASTBOURNE TOWN LADIES 0
Town entered into this tie remembering that AFC had proven to be a
really awkward opponent in the previous encounter at the Saffons,
where the Eastbourne ladies somewhat fortunately secured all three
points. Town started strongly and for 20 minutes had full control,
with some excellent passing and possession play, but a rigid
Wimbledon defence prevented any real chances of opening the scoring.
As the first period wore on Wimbledon came more and more into the
game, but struggled to get a clear scoring opportunity. Until on
44 minutes Town conceded a free kick almost 30 yards from the goal,
and the resulting shot was rifled expertly into the net marginally
out of Sarah Walshaw’s reach.
A goal down at the break Town knew that they had their work cut out
to break down Wimbledon’s resilience. Town again started the more
lively of the two teams but they looked pressured and nervous in
front of goal, placing the few half chances that occurred, either
too high or too wide, although Kelly Hunter came close with a long
distance shot and Ali Read’s free kick sailed just inches over the
bar. With two solid defences, and as the majority of the match was
now played between the two penalty areas, it became more apparent
that further goals were unlikely for either side.
Town will reflect on this match, thinking that they did enough to
earn a draw, but probably not enough to deserve victory, but also,
full of respect for the team that ended their run of 16 matches
unbeaten this season.
Charlie Longuehye, at the centre of Town’s defence was awarded
Person of the Match.
EAST PRESTON LADIES 1 EASTBOURNE TOWN LADIES 7
When East Preston took the lead 90 seconds into this
encounter Town got the wake up call that their title challenge
required. From that moment on they totally dominated the fixture.
On 9 minutes Tina Wilson brought down Stav Panayiotou’s excellent
cross with her chest and thumped the ball home on the volley to
level the scores. On 23 minutes Wilson was unlucky not to score
another as her carefully placed shot came back off of the post.
However 4 minutes later and again on the 40th minute Beth Richardson
was on hand to drive home two more goals, giving Town a comfortable
3 – 1 half time lead.
Town’s fourth came just 4 minutes after the re-start and was a well
deserved goal for Panayiotou, who had already brushed the outside of
each post Wilson’s second and Town’s fifth following on 55 minutes.
This commanding lead gave Town the ideal opportunity to make
changes and Janine Daly, Tasha Pearson and Maria de Battista entered
the match at 5 minute intervals. On 67 minutes Town were awarded a
free kick on the corner of the penalty area, which saw Ali Read
drive the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net.
Town’s final goal came when Janine Daly found herself in the penalty
box with just the keeper to beat, which she did, placing the ball
into the corner of the net.
The Saffrons based ladies now take on AFC Wimbledon in their next
league match.
For the second week running Beth Richardson was awarded P.o.M.
EASTBOURNE TOWN LADIES 3 WESTFIELD LADIES 1
L&SER Premier League
Sunday 8th January 2012 2pm The Saffrons
Lying in second place, behind their hosts, after the winter break,
Westfield Ladies were obviously going to be a tough opposition for
Town, which they duly proved to be, right from the kick off. The
first half was end to end but while the visitors probably had a few
more chances to score, it was Town that looked to have the clearer
openings, limiting Westfield to shots from distance and a number of
direct free kicks. However, in the eighth minute, a long clearance
from the Town defence was perfectly headed by Stav Panayiotou into
the path of Beth Richardson, whose 35 yard screamer of a volley flew
into the net. It was immediately evident that, against this
committed opposition, a single goal was not going to be sufficient
to win the game or even to gain a rest phase, and it was only a few
minutes later that Ali Read was clearing the ball off of the line.
Fortunately, Town were able to capitalise on a succession of
corners, and, as one such set piece came in from the left, Charlie
Longuehye rose first at the near post to thump the ball home with a
clever back header, to extend the home side's lead. Town were
unlucky not to get a third goal just before half time, as
Longuehye’s freekick, delivered diagonally across the penalty area,
saw Read run in to head home, but she just failed to make contact.
2 – 0 ahead at the break, Town were still certain there was more to
come from Westfield, which again proved to be the case, as, for
nearly ten minutes of the second period, the home team were unable
to get out of their half. The loss of pivotal midfielder, Kelly
Hunter, was potentially a massive blow, as Town were forced to
restructure at a time when they under immense pressure. However, no
sooner had Beth Richardson taken on the Hunter role, than she found
herself on the edge of the opposition's box in a rare Eastbourne
counter attack, she then dribbled around three Westfield defenders
and scored a second left footer on 68 minutes to the delight of her
team mates and supporters. To their credit, Westfield refused to
accept the pending defeat and Town were almost camped out in their
own half for long stretches. With a defence that came into the match
on the back of a run of four matches without conceding, it was
always going to hard for the visitors to make a break through,
although they did come close when hitting the crossbar from one
freekick. Westfield did finally score from another set piece with
just 15 minutes to play but that was to be their only reward. Two
yellow cards for Lil Johnson saw the home team reduced to 10 players
for the last twelve minutes, but, with stout defending to the end,
Town took all three points in what was their biggest battle of the
season thus far. Beth Richardson, not surprisingly took P.o.M.
with her two wonder strikes and Town were also pleased to see Janine
Daly have a 10 minute cameo at the end, returning after breaking her
leg in September.
SCFA WOMENS CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Eastbourne Town Ladies FC vs Lewes Ladies FC
Brighton & Hove Albion FC vs HaywardsHeath Ladies FC
Matches to be played on 19th Feb 2012
EASTBOURNE TOWN LADIES 2 CRAWLEY WASPS 0
Sunday 18th December at the Saffrons
This home league fixture was due to kick off just five hours before
the team's Christmas dinner, with the opponents being responsible
for Town’s exit from this year's FA Cup competition, just a few
weeks earlier. So, with much to play for, a point to prove and a
thirteen match, season long unbeaten league record to protect, the
Eastbourne Town Ladies were in no mood for any generosity on the
pitch that could tarnish the atmosphere or anticipation of the
festive celebrations that were to follow. Crawley Wasps had
already proven to be a difficult opposition for the hosts twice
already this season, fighting to the end to salvage a point in the
reverse league match and then stunning Town with a late winner in
the FA Cup tie. Town took a little while to find their rhythm,
but, after the first fifteen minutes, appeared to be on top. Both
teams played the ball well, each using some intricate close passing,
but although in the early stages Wasps probably dominated
possession, it was the Eastbourne Ladies who looked the most likely
to capitalise in the attacking third. Rachael Hillman, in the
Wasps' goal, was the busier of the two 'keepers but it was
Eastbourne’s Sarah Walshaw who pulled off the save of the game
midway through the first half, and, from then on, the Eastbourne
team became more and more dominant, to the extent that Vicky
Phillip’s goal on 40 minutes was well deserved and a fair reflection
of the game. A few moments later Stav Panayoitou was floored on
the edge of the penalty area, and Charlie Longuehye drove the free
kick marginally over the bar, leaving Town with a narrow 1 – 0 lead
at the break.
Town started the second half with the knowledge
that a victory would secure a seven point league lead at the top of
the table, going into the winter break, but, rather than sit back
and defend, they piled non-stop pressure on the Crawley side,
bringing the visiting 'keeper more and more into the game. On 60
minutes, the scorer of the first goal, Vicky Phillips, turned
provider as Beth Richardson placed her close range shot against the
left post, seeing it canon off the upright it into the net to extend
the host's lead to 2 – 0. The home team continued to dominate and
looked as if there was always a gear or two to step up if required,
while the visitors appeared to lose their structure, although no
further goals were scored. Town have now won five league games
consecutively, scoring sixteen goals, however, while the attacking
players are receiving all the headlines, full credit goes to keeper
Sarah Walshaw and the back row of Steph Harrison, Chelsey Leighton,
Charlie Longuehye and Loren O’Dwyer, who can proudly boast five
consecutive clean sheets. Tina Wilson, in her first full league
game, was given the
P.o.M. award, for an excellent display on the right wing, and the
best of the near misses.
EASTBOURNE TOWN LADIES 1 v PANTHERS 0
Sunday 27th November 2011 at the Saffrons
Primarily, the first target in the new division, following last
season's promotion must be securing survival, and Sunday's victory
at home against Panthers Ladies, achieved just that, as well as
giving Town the bonus of a seven point cushion at the top of the
table. The match itself was a real battle for Town, as Panthers
proved to be one of the strongest opponents to date.
The first half, saw few scoring chances and although Town had the
lions share of possession it was Panthers Ladies that came closest
to opening the scoring, hitting the post with an excellent left
footed shot in the 6th minute, and then forcing a wonder save from
Sarah Walshaw in the home goal, just before the break.
The second half again started with things as equally balanced as the
first period, but an injury to Emma Parslow stopped the game for
twenty minutes. Whilst the break was unfortunate for Parslow, it
gave her team time to re-group, which together with the introduction
of Tina Wilson and Stav Panayoitou saw Town eventually take control
of the match. Panayoitou, gave the Panthers back line more to think
about with her insatiable work rate, and, as Town played further and
further up the pitch, Tasha Pearson tricked her way through the
visitor's defence and slid a ball across the box for Lil Johnson to
hammer home in the 78th minute. Panayoitou, herself, came close
minutes later when, with just the keeper to beat, she pushed her
shot narrowly wide. At the other end, Town’s back four of Harrison,
Leighton, Longuehye and O'Dwyer, along with keeper Walshaw, secured
a third consecutive clean sheet in league matches.
Not starting until the 60th minute, Stavroulla Panayoitou, impressed
enough, to be voted P.O.M.
BOREHAM WOODLADIES 0 V EASTBOURNE LADIES 10
L&SE Ladies League
Sunday 6 November 2011
In the Eastbourne Town Ladies highest scoring game this
season the girls put forward a winning performance scoring 10 goals
whilst maintaining a clean sheet. Town started the match with
composure and strength. Eight minutes into the first half Beth
Richardson flicked the ball over the keeper for the first goal of
the game. Two minutes later Richardson scored again from
twenty yards back creating a very positive start for Town in the
first half.
Despite the Eastbourne onslaught Boreham Wood managed to prevent any
goals for almost twenty minutes but Town's strength overruled when
Stavroulla Panayiotou gained possession of the ball on the edge of
the box and nipped one passed the keeper for Towns third goal.
Shortly after Richardson received a long ball from Lil Johnson and
dodged a defender to secure a hat trick with a strong ball past a
diving keeper. Boreham Wood made a spirited comeback at the
start of the second half, however Tasha Pearson, Towns’ half time
substitution, made herself busy and after a last ditch challenge
from the opposing defender scored Towns 5th goal from a tight angle
on the left in the 56th minute.
Town kept working hard which led to a sweeping move from the backs
that brought about another goal from Richardson shortly followed by
another from Panayiotou in the 66th minute. A series of passes found
Pearson up front with the ball, she wisely side stepped the keeper
to score her second goal and Towns 8th in the 67th minute. Town’s
flair was confirmed by a cheeky back heel from Emma Parslow to
score the 9th goal. Town were taken into double figures by
Pearson who scored her hat trick by beating the keeper again and
ending the game with Town 10 – 0 winners.
This leaves Town undefeated with bright hopes for next weeks game
against Wandgas Ladies. Beth Richardson, who contributed a lot more
to the match than just her four goals, was awarded Person of the
Match.
Maidstone Ladies 1 v Eastbourne Town Ladies 3
L&SE Ladies League
Sunday 16th October 2011
Three weeks previously, Eastbourne Town beat Maidstone Ladies by 5 –
1 at The Saffrons in a convincing display of high quality possession
football. On Sunday,however, in the first half of the return
fixture ETFC were run ragged by a spirited opponent, whose energy
and endeavour left the Eastbourne ladies turning around, still lucky
to be in the game!
While Town failed to test the host's keeper, Sarah Walshaw had one
of her busier 45 minute periods, pulling off two great saves from
close range and pressuring the Maidstone strikers into missing two
“sitters”.
Following captain, Lil Johnson’s inspirational half time
encouragement, the whole team lifted their game immediately, and
just 5 minutes into the second half, Emma Parslow was upended in the
penalty area. She composed herself before burying the resulting spot
kick. Maidstone were now the team with limited scoring
opportunities, however, they did win and score from a penalty to
equalise in the 60th minute, when Steph Harrison's use of the
shoulder was adjudged to be slightly over enthusiastic.
From this point in, Town were rampant in attack and their midfield
returned to the controlled pattern of play that they are now
accustomed to, whilst Maidstone appeared to be running out of steam.
Capitalising on these factors, with the pace of Vicky Phillips, Beth
Richardson, Stav Panayiotou and Jacey Samson, each found themselves
with good attacking options on numerous occasions and it was no
surprise to see top scorer, Samson, finish coolly on 68 and 75
minutes to ensure victory for the visiting league leaders.
Non football commitments and illness saw Town's settled back line
decimated for this fixture, with three regulars missing at the start
of the game. A totally untested line up of Lil Johnson, Alison Read,
Tanya Roberts and Meg Woods finished the match, after Harrison
retired exhausted after a fine seventy five minute performance,
which is testament to the strength of the squad the ladies have now
assembled.
P.o.M. Emma Parslow
Our Partners
ETFC Main Sponsor
