LEWES LADIES 5-0 GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET LADIES

Gravesend & Northfleet stayed top of the London & South East Regional League table despite suffering their second league defeat of the season, losing 5-0 at Lewes on Sunday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Fleet Ladies manager Valter Antunes had prepared the ladies in training for the tough game ahead over the Christmas period, as the reverse fixture was only just played in December which saw a very closely fought tight and competitive game go Fleets way with a narrow 1-0 league victory.

Excuses can be made on the day as the pitch was heavily waterlogged, in freezing rainy conditions but both teams had to play and it would be honest to say that Fleet ladies were beaten by a more determined side than themselves.

Unusually for Gravesend and Northfleet ladies, who have only lost one league game prior to this game and have a very strong defensive record this season, they simply did not get into the game, the ladies side didn’t challenge or fight anywhere near hard enough to compete with a strong Lewes side and found themselves beaten in all areas in the first half going into the break 2-0 down.

With deserved harsh words at half time and some redirection by their manager, the ladies felt more determined for the second half and went into the restart of the match wanting to improve their performance but again this didn’t last long before the Lewes domination began again, leaving Fleet ladies demoralised by a 5-0 loss that should not of happened from the current top of the league side.

Due to other results Gravesend and Northfleet ladies managed to hold on to top spot for a further week but have allowed other teams to creep closer with this unexplained dip in form. With a break in the league next week, this should give the team time to regroup and sort out their team mistakes, although no easy fixture awaits as they take on Millwall Lionesses, who play their football in National Southern League, at home in the 2^nd round of the Kent cup, 1.00 kick off, supporters are very welcome on the day at the AEI Sports Ground, Gravesend Kent.

Any girls out their that fancy getting involved in football this year or want some extra training with FA qualified female coaching team, then Gravesend & Northfleet Ladies Football Club are running a Girls only Football Club where all abilities are welcome to come along for our skills, matches, coaching, fun and fitness session at Swan Valley community School, Swanscombe. Every Monday from 16^th January 2006 (excludes school hols) they are offering U11’s Primary schools after-school club 4.00 pm - 5.15pm, U12’ s 4.00 pm - 5.15 pm* - £1.00 per week, U14’s 4.00 pm - 5.15 pm* - £1.00 per week, U16’s 4.00 pm - 5.15 pm* - £1.00 per week

If your interested please come along, the session is outdoors, meet the coaches out on the Astroturf pitch, dressed suitably for all weather surface and weather, including shin pads and bring a drink.  *Parents/guardians must complete player details form on first session. First session is free.

The ladies team are working in partnership with Gravesend and Northfleet men’s club, Swan Valley School sports partnership, local schools and local clubs they are intending to start junior teams for girls in various age groups, and will be looking for players, coaches and volunteers to support this venture.

For further details on the team please use any of the following contact methods. Club website: www.intheteam.com/gravesendladiesfc Club contact Tina ladies section: 07732 148011 - Club Email: fleet.lfc@blueyonder.co.uk

For current league table please follow this link -
 <http://full-time.thefa.com/gen/Index.do?division=4855588>

Club sponsors this season are S.E.A Limited, Secure Electronics Applications Ltd who are a local company specialising in access control and warden call systems and Accord Lift Services who specialise in the installation, maintenance, restoration and repair of all types of lifts.

London and south East regional league results -
Crowborough Athleitc 4 - 3 Long Lane
Hastings United 5 - 2 Carshalton Athletic
Hendon 3 - 1 Clapton Orient
Lewes 5 - 0 Gravesend & Northfleet
Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 2 London Women
Woking 2 - 3 Whitehawk