The Hamlet took another large away crowd to Lewes last Sunday for their First Round FA Cup clash against a team who were in the Championship last season.

On the afternoon both of the club’s players and fans came together to campaign for equal pay in the FA CUP.

A bonfire night atmosphere was created as the teams came on to the pitch flanked by members of the Lewes Bonfire Society who held flaming torches to the back drop of firecrackers and smoke.

After the starting whistle blew, the ball was played dead and no other players touched it for 21 seconds to represent the year 1921, when FA banned women from playing football in England—a ban that wasn’t lifted until 1971 when the first Women’s FA Cup was held.

Lewes had the better chances in the first half with the ball spending little time in the Lewes half but the Hamlet came out fighting after half time.

The deadlock was broken in the 54th minute after a 30 yard screamer from Phoebe Leitch evaded Lewes keeper Ella Hunkin and hit the top corner of the net.

Heartbreak hit Dulwich in the 84th minute as Lewes equalised through a goal from Olivia Carpenter which set both teams on course for a penalty shootout.

Fans from both team gathered in the South Stand to watch both teams score their first three spot kicks.

Both teams then missed a goal before it went to 5-5 and Ella Hunkin saved a penalty from Erin Corrigan and Lewes’ Syndey Schreimaier converted her kick to win the game.

Lewes go on the play AFC Sudbury in the Second Round at home.

Our next game is at Champion Hill on Sunday 10th November in the Women's National League SE. Tickets can be bought here