Durham Women made it three straight wins in the FA Women’s Championship with a comfortable victory over Lewes.
Ellie Christon and Bridget Galloway netted in the first half to secure a 2-0 victory – with the Wildcats coming close to extending their lead on several occasions.
Durham made three changes from the side that won at Bristol City last weekend as Danielle Brown, Dee Bradley and Christon were handed starts.
And it was the hosts who began brightly at Maiden Castle, with Bridget Galloway firing in an early low cross which was just lacking the touch it was begging for.
But the Wildcats wouldn’t have to wait long to take the lead.
Lauren Briggs’ cross was flicked on by Beth Hepple and Christon picked up the pieces, composing herself before drilling into the bottom corner.
Lewes’ only real efforts at retaliation in the first half came via set-piece, with Izzy Dalton seeing a free-kick held by Megan Borthwick before the Durham stopper denied Georgia Timms when she got a head to another Dalton delivery.
It was the home side who continued to carve out the better chances and so it was little surprise when the lead was doubled before the break.
After Sarah Robson won the first contact from Hepple’s corner, Galloway pounced quickest to turn the ball home from close range with just five minutes to go until the break.
The Wildcats continued to search for further goals in the second half with Becky Salicki bundling another corner just wide of the back stick while Lambert was denied by Shannel Salgado after a mazy run.
Kallie Balfour had a glorious chance to bring Lewes back into the game but skewed her shot well wide after being picked out in space in the area – but in truth, Borthwick had little to do in the late stages of the game.
The ‘keeper made one low save to deny substitute Ini Umotong, but was otherwise untested with Durham looking the more likely to score.
And they almost did when Hepple’s audacious lob from 30 yards came back off the crossbar with Salgado well-beaten.
But two goals were enough for the Wildcats who registered another crucial win.