BHASVIC overpower Collyer’s as college thrives in golden era

BHASVIC are going for a third consecutive Sussex Schools title

Collyer’s 1 (Taylor 19)
BHASVIC 5 (Chambers 45, 75; Piggott 55; Butcher 64, 66)

Two Sussex colleges, helping to nurture the county’s footballing future, met on the playing fields of Horsham and demonstrated why its upper echelons, at least, look pretty secure .

Wivi call it a day – but not for ever

The picture that epitomises Wivi – former captain Leigh Farley in action for one of the most spirited clubs I have seen (Photo: Dave Burt)

How devastating the irony that on the day that Sent Her Forward celebrates its third birthday I have to report that the team that triggered my love of women’s football has called it a day.

Holders Worthing taken all the way by Oakwood’s teenagers

Oakwood 1 (Higham)
Worthing 2 (Worsfold, Chrimes)

High-flying Oakwood finally lost their first competitive match of their second season in adult football when they were denied a Sussex Trophy semi-final spot by a vastly more experienced – but only slightly more deserving – Worthing.

Lancing sail into semis after overcoming depleted Wivi’s fighting spirit

Haywards Heath attacks were considerably more frequent than might have been expected with eight players

Lancing 4 (Akehurst 20, Cobb 24, Gipson 27, Dack 33)
Haywards Heath & Wivelsfield 0

Just when you think the team have hit rock-bottom, that Wivi spirit shines through yet again and they end up surprising probably even themselves.

Tenacious ten hold out for a draw after Waine red card

Lewes 2 (Carter 2; Rutherford 25)
Crystal Palace 2 (Shakes 19; Maple 58)

Player of the match Leeta Rutherford scored her first goal for Lewes when she fired home from close range (Photo: James Boyes)

Lewes’s tenacious 10 clung on for a gritty draw against Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace, leaving the visitors’ manager frustrated at his own depleted side’s lack of killer instinct.

Oakwood show their class as Page double downs Lancing

Lancing failed to breach Oakwood’s defence as they were knocked out of the Sussex League Cup

Lancing 0
Oakwood 2 (Page 42, 90)

Goal-machine Jade Page helped herself to another two opportunist efforts to earn Oakwood a Sussex League Cup victory over their league title rivals Lancing, a week after being held to a draw by the same opponents.

Portsmouth Ladies sign formal deal with men’s club

Mick Williams (left) and Mark Catlin, pictured with Portsmouth commercial director Anna Mitchell, both emphasised the importance of being part of the “Pompey family”

While West Ham United were, some might say, being shamed into taking over the women’s team that bear their name and Lewes were talking about equal budgets for their men’s and women’s senior sides, Portsmouth Ladies chairman Mick Williams was quietly going into bat for the club he holds so dear to his heart.