Crawley Wasps v Gillingham Women Vitality FA Cup

Match Sponsor OF F IC IAL MATC H DAY P ROGRAM M E Vita Risk Solutions CRAWLEy GILLINGHAM WOMEN WASPS VS Sunday 4 April 2021 2PM KICK-OFF | HORLEY TOWN FC

Manager’s Notes A warm welcome to Josh, all the players, staff FIRST-TEAM GAMES of Gillingham WFC. We hope you enjoy your The New Defence, Horley Town FC, off short stay with us at the new Defence Ground Court Lodge Road, Horley, RH6 8SP today. RESERVES, DS & YOUTH So here we are again after what seems like an eternity HOME GAMES, since our last game before Christmas. BST TRAINING FOR ALL TEAMS Ewhurst Playing Fields, Ifield Drive, With our league now being null and void for a second Crawley, RH11 0AE time and the county cup going the same way our FA Cup journey is the only competitive thing we have left to play Want to play for us? for this season, although we will be playing friendlies to fill [email protected] the void till May. Want to sponsor a team or player? After the last lockdown the ladies came back in good [email protected] shape and I’m pleased they have come back this week in good spirits and have done what was asked of them. Want to get in touch? Thanks go to all my backroom team but I have to give [email protected] special praise to Darcey/Chat for badgering the ladies to get them at the levels needed again. FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT Today will be a bit strange in that we have to play this First Team Manager Dave Cole game behind closed doors, but am pleased all our supporters will be able to follow and cheer us on with our Head Coach Mike Gardner very first livestream. Coach Chat Perera Every player and coach loves it when you get to play in the FA Cup and its one we all want to do well in this season Goalkeeper Coach Paul Woodhams but things never come easy and today’s opponents will want to do the same, I’m pretty sure those watching today Physio Richard Lowes can expect the game to be much the same as our league encounter back in September where we came out on top EXEC BOARD Jack Ayles 2-1 in a tight end to end game. Chairman Kim Beasley Business Director Peter Beasley On the player front we have had to say goodbye to Magda Head of Operations Gary Ayles for personal reasons and Sarah Wignall is still on the IOM Director due to the pandemic and we hope to see her back next season. On the plus side we have signed four players that OPERATIONS BOARD Jack Ayles are great additions to the club in Jo Wilson, Skye Bacon, Chairman Maz Graves and the loans from Brighton & Hove Alibion in Madison Secretary Alison Smith Hook and Iesha Swaby All have of them have hit the Welfare & Safeguarding James Laraman ground running this week but unfortunately due to the Commerical Manager Dave Connor competition rules all of them have to sit out this game. Head of Youth Andrew Lowson Youth Fixtures Secretary Mick Gainsford I hope you enjoy the game and hope we gain some new Ewhurst Groundsman fans from the livestream and we will see you here in the near future. THIS PROGRAMME Hannah Gaster Editor Matt Temple Enjoy the Buzz Designer Pictures Ben Davidson Dave

CAPTAIN’S NOTES Good afternoon all and the first time I’ll be welcoming you from afar back to Horley Town. You may not be here physically but to have your support at home still goes a long way. We are hoping you’ll be joining live on our stream to see all the action. We may not have had the league outcome we wanted, with the season curtailed for a second time it’s disappointing. As a club we were willing to play and hoping for a resolution to the season, however it wasn’t to be. Our focus now is the FA Cup and the game today v Gillingham. Gillingham were one of the few sides we played during the “season” in a 2-1 win away from home. As always the game was physical, tightly contested and both teams fought until the end for the win. On reflection we underperformed that day so know where we can improve as a team for today. As a unit of players we’ve been working hard since December, massive credit has to go to Darcey James for that... Not only is she a key squad member but she has stepped up into a supporting S&C role and been pivotal for our preparation building up to being back in training this week. The weekly fitness sessions on zoom, to the daily programs we’ve had, nothing has been missed out. So from all the girls, we hate you for the pain you’ve put us through, but we thank you at the same time! There’s a couple of squad changes from the Plymouth and Lewes games in 2020...we have lost Magda Mosengo from the squad who has decided to step back from football for the time being. Lottie Turner and Nelly Gainsford have become first team squad members permanently, fully deserving of their call ups. We’re fortunate to welcome four new signings too in the break: Skye Bacon – Signed from Lewes DS in the new year, looking to push on in her career and test herself at a higher level than she was. She brings a lot of youthful energy to the team with a cracking ability in the final third. Jo Wilson – Signed from Ashford in mid March. Jo joins having trained with us preseason and the team is excited to have her around again knowing her quality as a player. We also have two loan signings from Brighton: Madi Hook – A talented young CB who brings a commanding presence. At such a young age she has a mature footballing brain and hasn’t looked out of place since joining us. Iesha Swaby – Another young prospect, she already has a sharp eye for goal. Blessed with natural flair and finishing she is a handful for any opponent. All four girls we are excited to have on board and pleased they’ve chosen to join Crawley to improve their game. It bolsters our squad and the strength in depth is at an exciting place for this club. All the above shows how hard the club has been working this new year to be ready for this fixture, collectively we’re focused and striving to win. I’ve never been more proud of the team than now; every player’s adaptability and work ethic is incredible and I couldn’t be happier with my girls. Hope you enjoy the game, and soon you can be with us here in person. All the best, Naomi C ole #17

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Welcome back to the first and hopefully not the last, of a series of FA Cup games for the club! We’re back (again) and looking forward to finally playing some more football this season. Unfortunately the news about the league being declared null and void, was the news we were expecting! Being a pyramid wide decision to end the season is very tough to take for teams like ourselves who are competing at the top of the Women’s National league with aspirations of moving to the next level. Our players put in so much time and commitment on a voluntary basis to get to the next level of football and are more than capable of competing in the Championship. To be told your season is over is hard to take but we pick ourselves back up as a club and go again. We have complete faith in Dave and his team go get some good results in the FA cup. Long term nothing’s changed for our vision as a club. We are as committed as ever to building the Crawley Wasps brand and winning promotion to the Championship. If anything, the lockdown has given a chance for us to work on some off-field ideas. One of them, our first ever live-stream of the FA Cup game today! It’s a huge milestone for the club and something we will be looking to do more of going forward. Other things we have been working on behind the scenes is the rapid growth of our youth section! The appointment of Dan Risk as Youth Technical Director and Kyle Jordan as Youth Development Manager will help to really professionalise the youth and provide a more structured pathway into our first team. The main goal is to have more players like Nelly Gainsford and Lauren Graves pushing for places in the first team. We want to be the girls club of choice, not only for Sussex but for the south of England – which we’re working on! Thank you for your continued support – we hope you enjoy the stream and look forward to welcoming you back in the stands later in 2021! Jack

MEET OUR NEW SIGNINGS 8 SKYE BACON BACON “I’m a hardworking attacking player. I JO like to run at defenders, score and create WILSON goals. I’ve played at an international level “Although I’m a striker, I’m the kind of so hopefully I can bring that experience to player who enjoys assisting others rather the team as well as plenty of energy and than scoring, so not your usual forward. I feel like I will work hard for the team enthusiasm.” and even as an attacker I know the importance of defensive work. I make 9 sure I do that throughout the game.” WILSON 20 HOOK MADI IESHA HOOK SWABY “I would say I’m a very physical player, I like to get my body in the way and win challenges. “I’m a very dynamic forward, I’ve got I also like to get forward and link up the play some pace and I like to score goals. If i with the midfielder when there’s an opportunity can’t score then hopefully I’ll be assisting. I can’t wait to get this FA Cup campaign to do so. Hopefully I can create some underway and hopefully we can do well opportunities to score either playing from the as a team.” back or from attacking set pieces.” 14 SWABY

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TODAY’s OPPONENTS GILLINGHAM WOMEN FACTS Founded 1995 Nickname The Gills Ground The Bauvill Stadium Maidstone Road Chatham, Kent ME4 6LR This season 10th (when league voided) THEIR LAST MATCH Portsmouth 2 Gillingham 1 The Gills travelled to Westleigh Park to play Portsmouth F.C. Ladies in the FAWNL a winner. Jade Bradley put Charmaine True in with Southern Premier Division. a chance, but Gill’s Davies took it from her feet. It was a perfect start for Gillingham Women as they In the last 5 minutes of the game, the ball fell to took the lead early in the game, with a long ball to Pompey’s Rowbotham who from 25 yards out Otesha Charles who fired the ball into the corner. chipped effort went over Davies and put them in Giving the Gills a great start. 0-1. front. 2-1. Pompey had a great chance to level the game in the Gills Women were unable to create any other 17th minute after an exchange of passes between chances on goal but battled to the end in what was Rosie McDonnell and Katie James, leading to a well contested game. the ball being squared but no one being able to convert. Shortly after, Pompey equalised after a corner by Bradley was headed down by Younger to Becki Bath who knocked the ball in from close range. 1-1. Gills Mel Espinosa received the ball at the back post from the left-hand side and fired a shot on goal where Pompey keeper Haughton picked the effort out the top corner. Just after, Charles had the ball in the back of the net but was disallowed due to offside. The half time interval did not stop Otesha Charles as she found herself through on goal again but putting the ball over the goal, as well as a free kick attempt being saved a few minutes later. With 10 minutes to go, both sides were looking for (Picture: Twitter @gillswomenfc)

TODAY’s OPPONENTS LAST TIME WE MET FA WOMEN’S Gillingham 1 NATIONAL LEAGUE Crawley Wasps 2 SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION Tuesday 29 September 2020 Rochester United Sports Ground REPORT BY MATTHEW POINTER GILLINGHAM Summer signing Wignall’s opener marked her 1 Cara Davies first goal for Wasps, and Cole scored the winner 2 Jasmine Auguste with a brilliant long-range strike after Dayna 5 Hannah Wheeler Chong had equalised for Gills. 6 Vicky Ashton-Jones 7 Georgie Griffin Wignall broke the deadlock after eight minutes. Immy 8 Jade Keogh Lancaster flicked the ball into the winger’s path and she 12 Chloe Burr smashed it into the net with a stunning half-volley to open 18 Ellie Jeffkins her Wasps account. 19 Dayna Chong 24 Lilli Maple Gillingham’s equaliser came five minutes later. Wasps’ 26 Amy Haynes keeper Megen Lynch dived low to keep out Amy Haynes’ Subs attempt, but the rebound fell to Chong, who tapped the 3 Millie Waud ball into the empty net. 4 Georgia Pearch 14 Mel Espinosa Cole scored Wasps’ second of the evening seven minutes 17 Maddie Ferrand before the break. Kate McIntyre and Plewa linked up 20 Abbie Hearn well to feed Lancaster, and she had time to stop and turn before setting up Cole outside the box. Wasps’ skipper WASPS then capped off the fantastic team move by rifling home from distance. 13 Megen Lynch 3 Rachel Palmer Wasps dug deep to keep their opponents at bay, with 4 Kate McIntyre Lynch rising to defend two corners in quick succession 5 Darcey James with powerful punched clearances, and Flo Jackson also 6 Rachel Palmer notching up her first minutes for Wasps when she came 7 Emma Plewa off the bench in the second-half against her former club. 11 Tash Stephens 15 Immy Lancaster 17 Naomi Cole 18 Sarah Wignall 22 Hope Nash Subs 8 Megan Stow 12 Holly Talbut-Smith 21 Flo Jackson

OUR SQUAD HOLLY 2 RACHEL 3 TALBUT-SMITH 4 PALMER 5 6 7 SPONSORSHIP 8 SPONSORED BY 9 AVAILABLE NEIL HANSLOW 11 Ex-Wasps and Brighton youth player brought back to the Played for Wasps’ youth club in summer 2020 after a teams before moving to spell playing college soccer Chelsea and then spent five in the US. seasons with Lewes, before rejoining Wasps in January KATE 2018. MCINTYRE DARCEY SPONSORED BY JAMES JOE & KAYSHA FRANCHI Experienced former Lewes SPONSORED BY skipper and Brighton ISABELLE WEATHERSTONE midfielder, who joined Wasps in summer 2020 less than a First had a very brief spell at year after announcing her Wasps in 2015 before playing retirement. in the US. A classy centre- back, she rejoined in March ELLIE 2018 after leaving Lewes. RUSSELL EMMA SPONSORED BY PLEWA BESPOKE HANDLING Centre-back who joined us SPONSORED BY from Portsmouth in October CARIDON 2018. Formerly of Brighton, she played against Wasps in Former Wales international the 2016 Sussex Cup final. winger who joined Wasps in the summer of 2018. Former SKYE clubs include Chelsea, BACON Tottenham, Millwall and Lewes. SPONSORED BY GLOW UP TANNING JO Previous clubs were Lewes, WILSON Brighton SPONSORSHIP CHARLOTTE AVAILABLE OWEN Previous Clubs: London Bees SPONSORED BY VITA RISK SOLUTIONS 10 TASH Creative midfielder who STEPHENS joined Wasps in July 2019, after two years at Lewes. SPONSORED BY Previously with Brighton & BEN DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY Hove Albion. Former Portsmouth winger signed in August 2019 from Chichester City. Won the Sussex Cup with Chi in 2019 and Wasps in 2020.

OUR SQUAD MEGEN 13 IESHA 14 LYNCH SWABY 17 20 SPONSORSHIP SPONSORSHIP 22 AVAILABLE AVAILABLE 30 Experienced goalkeeper Previous Clubs: Crystal signed from London Bees Palace, Dual Signed from in summer 2020, who Brighton & Hove Albion previously played for Crystal Palace, Tottenham and 15 NAOMI Charlton. 18 COLE IMMY SPONSORED BY LANCASTER PRIMAL GRAZING SPONSORED BY Former Chelsea, Millwall, REGENCY SECURITY Lewes and England U23 player, who joined Wasps Energetic and creative Welsh in November 2016 and youth international, who assumed the captaincy in joined Wasps in summer August 2017. 2020 after leaving Oxford United. Previously with MADI Millwall Lionesses. HOOK SARAH SPONSORSHIP WIGNALL AVAILABLE SPONSORED BY Dual Signed from SKIN:GENIUS Brighton & Hove Albion Winger signed in summer 21 HOPE 2020 after a spell in US 23 NASH college soccer. Played for Peel AFC on the Isle of Man. SPONSORED BY JAMES LARAMAN FLO JACKSON Signed for Wasps in summer 2019 after 15 Championship SPONSORSHIP games for Crystal Palace. AVAILABLE Won the FAWNL Southern Premier with Charlton. Former Wasps Under-18 midfielder, who played for NIKITA Charlton and Gillingham WHINNETT before returning to the club in summer 2020. SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE AMY GREEN Experienced striker signed in October 2020 from SPONSORED BY London Bees, after spells at GODFREY INVESTMENTS Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Charlton. Lively attacking player who joined Wasps in February 2019 after leaving Crystal Palace. Previously with Brighton.

TODAY’s LINE-UPS CRAWLEy GILLINGHAM WASPS WOMEN YELLOW & BLACK Dave Cole Manager RED & BLACK Manager Mike Gardner Assistant Coaches Josh Oatham Head Coach Coach Chat Perera Toby Waters & Ben Franks 2 Holly TALBUT-SMITH 5 1 Cara DAVIES 5 3 Rachel PALMER 5 2 Jasmine AUGUSTE 5 4 Kate McINTYRE 5 3 Millie WAUD 5 5 Darcey JAMES 5 4 Georgia PEARCH 5 6 Ellie RUSSELL 5 5 Hannah WHEELER 5 7 Emma PLEWA 5 6 Vicky ASHTON-JONES 5 8 Skye BACON 5 7 Georgia GRIFFIN 5 9 Jo WILSON 5 8 Jade KEOGH 5 10 Charlotte OWEN 5 10 Otesha CHARLES 5 11 Tash STEPHENS 5 13 Chloe BRUNTON-WILDE 5 13 Megen LYNCH 5 14 Mel ESPINOSA 5 14 Iesha SWABY 5 15 Daisy MONAGHAN 5 15 Immy LANCASTER 5 16 Lauren PARSONS 5 17 Naomi COLE 5 17 Maddie FARRAND 5 18 Sarah WIGNALL 5 18 Sophie CHAPMAN 5 20 Madi HOOK 5 20 Abi HEARN 5 21 Flo JACKSON 5 22 Trinity BARDEN 5 22 Hope NASH 5 23 Lydia WILLS 5 23 Amy GREEN 5 24 Lilli MAPLE 5 24 Lottie TURNER 5 25 Selin BUYUKGIRAY 5 25 Lauren GRAVES 5 26 Amy HAYNES 5 27 Nelly GAINSFORD 5 30 Nikita WHINNETT 5 33 Jade SIMMONS 5 Referee OFFICIALS Assistants Elle KAPLICZ Ryan CALVER & Pablo AGUILAR