FINAL LEAGUE VICTORY FOR THE FLYERS

A gritty and hard-fought win was a fitting end to a successful League season for the Flyers. Adur hit the bar twice as they put the Flyers under considerable early pressure. Leeming responded well and showed a calm head whilst Callen and Howard kept the wings under control.

Carter’s safe pair of hands were nevertheless put to the test. Howes sustained an injury but quickly returned to the fray and, together with Hilton, energised the team with consummate skill and enthusiasm. This combined with Sabin’s pace set the scene for Ellis’s excellent goal just before half-time. 

The Flyers started slowly in the second half and conceded a free kick and then a corner which was well-cleared by Hilton. Ellis was unlucky to shoot over the bar and not long after Adur managed to scramble in an equaliser when Carter was left exposed.

This was enough to galvanise the Flyers who played some deft and creative football and held the initiative for the remainder of the match. Adur’s excellent keeper frustrated some half chances for the Flyers but Ellis did well to beat her and score the final  goal of the match.

Campbell hustled and harried and Lambourne sustained the momentum until the end. Carter ensured the victory was secure with an excellent late save. It was a well-deserved win for a team who have grown in stature throughout the season.

TEAM: Carter, Howard, Callen, Leeming, Campbell, Hilton, Howes, Lambourne, Sabin,  Ellis, Harnett.
SCORERS: Ellis
REPORTER: Su Leeming
 

FLYERS CONSOLIDATE THEIR LEAGUE POSITION

An impressive display from the Flyers gave them a well-deserved and convincing victory against a Worthing side that was persistent but lacked firepower. Two outstanding early goals from Lambourne, the second of which curved in beautifully from 20 yards, made it clear that the Flyers were going to make their mother’s proud.

The dominance continued throughout the first half with Lambourne’s drive, Howes’ prompting and girl-of-the-game Sabin’s craft and guile all playing a part. There was constant pressure and it was only fair that a third for Ellis came after a goalmouth scramble just before half-time.

The second half showed more of the same with Keeper Reddin having little to do. The feisty Campbell hit the back of the net twice, which meant more to her Manager mother than a conventional bunch of daffodils. There were missed opportunities too as several shots failed to hit the target despite intelligent play from Ansell and Harnett’s nimble footwork.

Ellis however did well to score the sixth and final goal. In defence Howard was ever-present, Callen was tenacious and Leeming made some telling passes. The result was never in doubt and the Flyers have justifiably consolidated their League position.

TEAM: Lambourne, Ansell, Sabin, Hilton, Howes, Harnett, Ellis, Callen Leeming, Howard, Reddin.
SCORERS: Lambourne (2), Ellis (2), Campbell (2)
REPORTER: Su Leeming
 

CLASSY CHIP MEANS NO CHEER FOR CHICHESTER

Chi Flyers were outclassed and out-muscled in a hard-fought encounter.

Early Northfield pressure led to several half-chances, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring, a prodigious passing movement allowing Lauren Ellis to break away and score her 9^th goal in 6 starts.  Sasha Ansell nearly doubled the lead a few moments later and Isola Hilton was tireless in midfield.  However, Northfield continued to press, particularly from set-pieces, and their scrambled equaliser was no more than they deserved.

The second period saw more high-quality possession for the home side, possession that was soon rewarded by a simply stunning strike from outside the area which looped into the top corner, leaving Girl-of-the-Game Amy Carter stranded between the sticks.  Some effective work late on in the game by Amy Howes and Flyers’ skipper Claire Lambourne created a couple of chances for the visitors but Northfield’s hard-tackling determination saw them through to the final whistle and ensured that the all 3 points remained in Rustington.

TEAM: Carter, Campbell, Lambourne, Leeming, Howard, Callen, Hilton, Ansell, Howes, Harnett, Sabin, Ellis
SCORERS: Ellis
REPORTER: Matt Leeming
 

FLYERS CONSOLIDATE LEAGUE POSITION WITH COMFORTABLE WIN

Chichester consolidated their hold on 4^th spot with a comfortable win at Oaklands.

Early Adur pressure saw a superb saving stop by skipper Claire Lambourne but the pacey Sasha Ansell smashed home Flyers’ first a few seconds later.  She nearly netted again shortly afterwards, latching on to an incisive through ball from Amy Howes but her shot sailed just wide.

An uncharacteristic lapse at the back saw the visitors snatch an equaliser but Chi were never really troubled and Ansell scored again 5 minutes from the break.  With Lauren Ellis adding a third right on the whistle, it looked like ‘game over’.

However, Flyers had to work hard after the interval as Adur piled on the pressure, but Girl-of-the-Game Coral Campbell was immense at the back and Alice Leeming and Olivia Howard also made telling tackles.

Lauren Ellis late strike sealed the points. The margin of victory probably flattered the Flyers a little but it was a solid performance and a deserved home win.

TEAM: Reddin, Campbell, Lambourne, Leeming, Howard, Callen, Carter, Ansell, Howes, Harnett, Sabin, Ellis
SCORERS: Ansell (2), Ellis (2)
REPORTER: Matt Leeming
 

SUN SHINES UNDER 13 GIRLS

Spring was in the air when the Flyers travelled to Felpham at the weekend. There were some nervous initial exchanges and an early goal for Felpham before the defence had woken up. Ansell sprang into action and galvanised the team with a beautiful goal, a looping curler from the edge of the box. As if to emphasize the point, she confidently hammered in a second off her left foot after another breakaway run.

Both sides conceded a penalty after a hand-ball apiece; Ellis’ struck gold but Felpham’s soon after found the back of the net too. The Flyers’ confidence was not dented and some terrific trademark tackling from Lambourne and creative play by Howes kept the away fans cheering. Campbell’s speed and tenacity harried the home team until she was forced to retire injured. Sabin skilfully scrambled in the 4^th and was ecstatic to be on the scoreboard.

A tactical switch at half-time with Ansell and Harnett swapping sides mixed things up and was rewarded by a well-crafted goal from Harnett who angled it through a bemused Felpham defence. The team were clearly enjoying themselves and claimed their final goal, tapped in by Ellis after a goalmouth scramble which left the keeper on her knees.

The Flyers didn’t have it all their own way and Felpham turned on the pressure with some robust tackling and persistence from their no.9 but Leeming kept a cool head and blocked most chances. Callen and Howard kept both wings under control and Carter is proving very reliable under pressure.

The Flyers regained the initiative but tired legs couldn’t capitalise on the late opportunities they created. They were all smiles though as they left the pitch with a well-deserved and emphatic win.

TEAM: Ellis, Harnett, Ansell, Sabin, Hilton, Howes, Lambourne, Campbell, Callen, Carter, Leeming, Howard and Reddin
SCORERS: Ansell (2), Ellis (2), Sabin, Harnett
REPORTER: Su Leeming
 

HONOURS EVEN AS DEVILS DENY CHICHESTER

A thrilling and open game saw Chi and Town share the spoils at Oaklands Park. Chichester started strongly with early efforts from Sasha Ansell and Lauren Ellis failing to find their targets.  A rare Town salvo then saw a spectacular sequence of saves between the sticks from skateboarding stopper Louisa Reddin. Chi found themselves in front a few moments later, a fine goal from Jessie Harnett the fitting fulfilment of Flyers’ flowing football.

The second half saw chance after chance for Chichester.  A shot from Lauren Ellis soared high and wide while Jessie Harnett’s great solo effort from the right also sailed over the bar.  Some impressive improvisation in the middle of the park by Amy Howes and Isola Hilton and a great run by Claire Lambourne led to further opportunities to increase the lead but Flyers’ firepower foundered in the final third.  Chichester were to rue their profligacy mid-way through the half when a rare Town attack led to the equaliser.  Chi pushed forward, desperate to regain their lead and created more gilt-edged opportunities but it was not to be – the Devils departed with their point.

TEAM: Reddin, Campbell, Lambourne, Leeming, Callen, Carter, Ansell, Hilton, Howes, Harnett, Sabin, Ellis
SCORERS: Harnett
REPORTER: Matthew Leeming
 

MAJOR PERFORMANCE BY MINORS

An early peach of a goal from Ansell set the scene for a cornucopia of footballing delights. The Minors sowed the seeds of success as they soon got one back which squeezed past the Flyer’s keeper. The remainder of the first half was hard-fought with both sides showing real zest for the game. Hilton played out of her skin as the midfield general, ably supported by Howes and Lambourne.

There were some great runs down the wing from both Ansell and Campbell who frequently peeled off their markers. Up front Ellis and Harnett were a constant threat but the Minors keeper dominated the six-yard box effectively. The Flyers had more of the possession in the first half but the Minors came out with greater presence and went ahead just into the second. The Flyers soon equalised with a beautifully crafted goal from Harnett.

The defence were kept busy and Carter made an outstanding save. However, despite sustained resistance, Worthing were ripe for another goal which came in the last five minutes. This galvanised the Flyers but the final whistle came just too soon. The Minors won by the skin of their teeth.

TEAM: Reddin, Lambourne, Callen, Leeming, Campbell, Howes, Hilton, Sabin, Harnett, Ansell, Ellis
SCORERS: Ellis (2), Sabin
REPORTER: Richard Sabin
 

FLYERS LOSE MATCH OF THE SEASON SO FAR

In the match of the season so far the Flyers gave league leaders Horsham a real shock.  A display that showed real purpose and belief got off to the best possible start when Lauren Ellis put Chichester in the league after only five minutes.  Unfortunately a mix up at the back quickly gifted Horsham an equalizer and they then took the lead only a couple of minutes later.

The Flyers did not let this setback affect their game and with Isola Hilton and Amy Howes battling to gain control of the midfield they were always in the game.  A break down the right from Coral Campbell released the flying Sasha Ansell who provided the perfect cross for Ellis to score her second of the game.

Two goals either side of half-time gave Horsham a two goal lead which was ultimately enough for victory.  The Flyers did pull one back when a corner from Jessie Harnett was volleyed high into the net by Emily Sabin but they just couldn’t get the equalizer in the last few minutes.  This was an excellent game of football and if the Flyers can take this form into the New Year then it promises to be fruitful.

TEAM: Carter, Campbell, Lambourne, Howard, Callen, Ansell, Hilton, Howes, Harnett, Sabin, Ellis
SCORERS: Ellis (2), Sabin
REPORTER: Richard Sabin
 

SOLID PERFORMANCE BY UNDER 13 GIRLS

An energetic and spirited performance suggested that the Flyers were looking to impress the new manager. Both sides took a while to settle down but the Flyers came off better in the early exchanges with Isola Hilton and Coral Campbell winning a lot of ball in midfield. The breakaway goal was well-taken by Lauren Ellis after a good pass by Amy Howes who was tenacious throughout. There followed some Shipley pressure but Louisa Reddin was superb between the sticks and made an outstanding save towards half-time.

The Flyers came back out to put the home team under relentless pressure during the second half with Emily Sabin showing some deft footwork and Sasha Ansell’s speed a constant threat. The Flyers were unlucky to have what looked like a second goal disallowed but were undaunted. The defence responded well to the occasional bursts of Crawley pressure with Bronwen Callen and Claire Lambourne regularly gaining possession while Alice Leeming, playing intelligently, avoided the row Z option and distributed well.

The scoreline fails to reflect the Flyer’s dominance of the game and they looked a well-balanced and well-organised side.

TEAM: Ellis, Harnett, Sabin, Ansell, Campbell, Hilton, Lambourne, Leeming, Callen, Reddin
SCORER: Carter
REPORTER: Su Leeming
 

U13 GIRLS BEAT FELPHAM

Chichester put on a much-improved display to overcome a strong Felpham team. A first-rate first-half performance together with a brace of goals for Ellis secured the points for the Flyers.  The game began untidily but Chichester soon asserted themselves, Emily Sabin, Sasha Ansell and Jessie Harnett providing good-quality crosses and setting up chance after chance. Girl-of-the-game Claire Lambourne and Alice Leeming were solid in defence and the Flyers were unlucky to go in at half-time with the scores level.

The break through came soon after the interval with a spell of concerted Flyers pressure culminating in a simple tap-in for Lauren Ellis. Felpham were galvanised by the goal and an equaliser came a few minutes later.  The second half was much more even with new keeper Louisa Reddin making several important saves but Chichester just about shaded it with Ellis’ second goal being no more than they deserved.

TEAM: Reddin, Callen, Leeming, Lambourne, Hilton, Howes, Carter, Ansell, Harnett, Sabin, Ellis
SUB: Campbell
REPORTER: Matthew Leeming
 

NORTHFIELD CAPITALISE ON DEFENSIVE ERROR TO BEAT CHI

The Flyers deserved a point from this hard fought encounter but paid the penalty for some defensive errors and failing to convert any of their second half chances.

After going behind early on a slick move down the right involving Coral Campbell and Lauren Ellis ended up at the feet of Sasha Ansell who scored her debut goal for he club with a pinpoint left foot strike.  Northfield continued to exert pressure and so force mistakes and from another of these they took the lead once again.  Three minutes before half-time the Flyers were level again and once more it was girl of the game Ansell they had to thank as her shot was deflected past the despairing dive of the Northfield ‘keeper.

The second half was a tiring affair on a big pitch.  Amy Howes and Isola Hilton did their best to exert influence in the midfield but neither side really gained the upper hand.  Ellis had a smart shot well saved and Emily Sabin showed some neat skills to force an opening but shot just wide but the Flyers just couldn’t break the deadlock.

At the other end Northfield also had chances but they were thwarted, in the main, by the excellent Claire Lambourne who drove her team relentlessly from the back.  However with 15 minutes to go a defensive error was cruelly punished as Northfield scored the only goal of the second half.