Rooks end run without a league win with 3-0 success over Cheltenham
Lewes FC Women claimed their first league victory of the season on Saturday, beating Cheltenham Town 3-0 in front of 246 supporters. The Rooks went into the break two goals to the good and controlled the second half, with a late third goal extinguishing any fightback from the visitors.
A bright start from a young Cheltenham side briefly troubled Lewes, with Leo Joyce forcing an early save from goalkeeper Emily Moore. For the most part, however, the opening period was tight until the 31st minute when a penalty was awarded for what was described as an innocuous handball. Former Robiness, Una Lue, stepped up and converted — her second penalty in consecutive games — to put the hosts ahead.
- 31' — Una Lue, penalty
- Shortly after — Scarlett Kagalwala, following a defensive miscommunication
- Late — Ella Stephens, from a Lue cross at the back post
Less than five minutes after the penalty, Lewes extended their advantage when some miscommunication at the back for Cheltenham allowed a through ball from Scarlett Kagalwala to trickle into the net. The second gave the Rooks a platform going into the second half and the visitors struggled to carve out clear chances.
In the second half Cheltenham still probed and fashioned opportunities, most notably when poor distribution created a chance that required a good stop from Moore to keep the score level. Lewes, however, quelled any sustained pressure and put the match beyond doubt when Lue turned provider late on, crossing deep for Ella Stephens to finish at the back post. Stephens celebrated what was reported as her first goal for the club and was named Player of the Match, although Kagalwala’s performance was said to be closely considered.
“Happy with parts of it. We had to dig in for the first 20 minutes.”
Asked what will take the team to the next level, manager Emma Byrne replied: “Confidence, which is coming.”
What this means for Lewes and what comes next
The 3-0 victory ends a run without a league win and extends a positive spell to three matches unbeaten in all competitions. For Lewes supporters, the result will offer encouragement that the team can build momentum ahead of a busy fixture list.
Upcoming fixtures mentioned by the club include a double header of away league matches against Portsmouth, a final group game in the League Cup, and a league visit to Fratton Park. Lewes are next scheduled to play at home against Real Bedford on 11 October — a match that will also mark the International Day of the Girl, when the club plans to celebrate the next generation of women in football.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Score | Lewes 3-0 Cheltenham Town |
| Attendance | 246 |
| Notable scorers | Una Lue, Scarlett Kagalwala, Ella Stephens |
For local fans, the match underlined both the squad’s potential and areas needing consistency. Byrne’s emphasis on confidence may be a simple message, but it is one with tangible implications for selection and tactics ahead of the club’s next fixtures. Maintaining defensive composure, sharpening distribution from the back, and converting possession into clear-cut chances will be priorities if Lewes are to press on up the table.
The win also contains an element of community narrative: a former Robiness returned to impact the game, a new goalscorer in Stephens to cheer, and a planned home fixture that will tie football into a wider social celebration on 11 October. Those elements help explain why a 3-0 league victory at The Dripping Pan feels like more than three points to many supporters.
