We'll keep working hard

MATCH REPORT: LEWES FC VETS VS BURGESS HILL PHOENIX WHITE | 08/02/25

FULL TIME: 4 - 1

On Saturday 8th February Phoenix White Team played their postponed 4th fixture away against Lewes Vets. Due to a number of their players being injured we agreed to play 9-a-side and only 27 mins halves – neither of which we really like doing, but we were all desperate to play.

We also have a few players out with injury, a couple of players carrying injuries and no goalie, so we had to be quite creative with the formation and player positions, but everyone pulled together, and we went out there confident, with a strong team and some brave ladies who stepped up to go in goal.

The game kicked off with Sheena in goal. We immediately put the pressure on, playing mainly in the Lewes half and having a couple of near misses from Rachael and Chloe before Jude won the ball back in midfield, got it to Lauren who crossed it into Chloe who smashed it into the back of the net – 1-0 to us and we had the upper hand.

We continued with our attacking play trying to get another – our back line was tight with Hanna, Chloe R and Sophie successfully holding off any Lewes attacks, whilst our midfielders, Rachael, Jude and Sara worked hard getting the ball to Chloe H and Lauren who had a few more shots. Unfortunately, though Lewes slotted in a equaliser to make it 1-1.

Ann switched into goal, we stayed focussed and kept pushing to take the lead again before the end of the first half. We created lots of chances, making Fi, the Lewes goalie work hard, however luck wasn’t on our side and Lewes scored from an indirect free kick in the penalty area making it 2-1 at half time.

Spirits were high and we went into the second half positive and determined to level up the score. Holly started in goal and a few minutes in we brought on the impact players for fresh legs and an injection of energy – Lauren, Jude and Sophie and Hanna came off making way for Ann, Sheena, Carolina and Bev to get in on the action. They continued to press, moving and passing the ball up field and we had a few more attempts on goal that were saved, but Lewes also played some great football and early in the second half, after a couple of attempts they made it 3-1. 

We changed it up for the last 20 mins – Rachael went in goal and Holly injected fresh energy into midfield alongside Ann and Sara. They worked hard covering lots of ground to win the ball back and get it to Carolina and Chloe H, but we just couldn’t get that ball in the back of the net. Lewes pressed hard too in the last quarter of the game giving Sheena, Chloe R and Bev a lot to do, but they kept getting the ball back out to the midfielders helping create more chances. We made a couple of late changes with Sara and Ann coming off for Lauren and Jude, but in the last minutes of the game a saved shot rebounded straight to the feet of one of the Lewes players who tapped it into the net – final score 4-1 to Lewes Vets.

Not the score we wanted, but it was a great game, competitive and fairly contested with a friendly team – smiles all round and that’s what it’s all about :) Thank you to Lewes FC Vets for hosting us!

Congratulations to our Player of the Match - Chloe Roberts ✨ 👏👏⚽