WSL Hammers v Championship Rooks in a pre-season friendly at the Beacon
Two of the biggest clubs in women’s football will take to the Beacon on Sunday 7th August as Championship side Lewes host WSL outfit West Ham United in a pre-season friendly.
The Rooks have moved the game to Hassocks with the Dripping Pan unavailable. Kick off is at 2pm and admission is £7 adults, £5 concessions with Under 16s going free.
West Ham finished the 2021-22 WSL campaign in sixth spot and reached the semi finals of the FA Cup. In October, they pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the season when securing a famous 2-0 win against a Manchester City side containing Lionesses Jill Scott, Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Ellen White and Lauren Hemp.
Lewes meanwhile play in the second tier of women’s football. They are the only club in the world who pay their men and women an equal wage, earning them the moniker of Equality FC. The Rooks finished eight last season.
The game comes one week after England were crowned Euro 2022 champions. Goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Smith – both of whom played and scored against Lewes in 2018 for Manchester United and Everton respectively – gave the Lionesses their first major trophy in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley.
A peak TV audience of more than 17 million tuned in to watch, making it the most-watched women’s football game in UK television history and the most-watched TV event of the year.
Women’s football has never been more popular, making everyone at the Beacon particularly proud that Lewes have chosen to play at Hassocks.
The T Bar will be open selling hot food and drink. The Robins Bar has a range of craft beers from local breweries including Bedlam, Silver Rocket and Silly Moo Cider. Other alcohol is also available.
Ample parking will be provided with the south field behind the Maurice Boxall Stand to be opened for cars to use.
Hassocks run their own Ladies side, playing in the Sussex County Women’s & Girls Premier Division. The Robins are one of the longest-running teams in Sussex, having been playing in their current guise since 1999.
Successes of the past 23 years including lifting the South East Counties’ Premier Division title, the League Cup on two occasions and being crowed county champions when winning the Sussex Women’s Challenge Trophy in 2019.
Players departing for clubs up the pyramid and retirements have seen the Robins drop a few levels since those heady days.
The club is now looking to rebuild ahead of an influx of young players set to come through the thriving Juniors Section in the coming years.
If you are aged over 16 and looking to join a competitive, friendly and inclusive women’s team, then please email hassocksladiesfootballclub@gmail.com
