Dee Bradley’s injury time header saw Durham Women claim victory on the final day of the season – after a dramatic comeback against Lewes.
Nat Johnson had put the Rooks ahead before Beth Hepple’s free-kick restored parity.
And just as the game looked to be heading for a stalemate, Bradley smashed home a header in the dying seconds to secure a well-deserved three points.
Durham started brightly on the south coast and could have been ahead after five minutes, only for Mollie Lambert to be denied by Sophie Whitehouse after pinching possession in the attacking third.
Sarah Robson then sent a header narrowly wide from Jess Clarke’s cross, before Lewes started to assert their authority on the game.
Naoisha McAloon had to get down to deny Ellie Mason before Amber Stobbs crashed an effort off the woodwork as the Rooks began to dominate.
And it would be the hosts who eventually found the breakthrough when a low cross found its way to Johnson at the back post, who kept her cool to slot into the far corner.
Durham could have been level before the break when Clarke did well to round Whitehouse but couldn’t find the target from the tightest of angles.
But the Wildcats wouldn’t have long to wait after the restart, as they levelled just five minutes into the second half.
Hepple’s free-kick was goalbound, but a deflection made sure as it looped over Whitehouse and in.
Saoirse Noonan then had two big chances to hand Durham the lead – first being spectacularly denied by the Lewes stopper before then firing narrowly over from the resultant corner.
Yet after that chance, the momentum shifted and the visitors were forced to put their bodies on the line to stop Lewes regaining the advantage.
Sarah Wilson and McAloon combined to somehow keep out Mason from close range while Stobbs was agonisingly close after being found in space in the box.
And as the game ticked into injury time, with a draw looking likely, Durham struck.
A string of set pieces ended with Bradley rising highest to divert her header in at the far post, sparking rapturous celebrations from the travelling players, staff and fans as they ended the season with victory.
Recap
STARTING ELEVEN
Lewes W vs Durham W
GOAL
XX
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Video
Details
Date | Time | League | Season | Full Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 30, 2023 | 2:00 pm | BWC | 2022_2023 | 90' |