Kaptein Of Industry

Chelsea Women host Celtic Women in the UWCL Group Stage at Stamford Bridge

We're back at the Bridge to see the Blues hosting the Ghurls, who are in the group stage for the first time, for their first visit here. The away game finished 1-2 after Celtic took an early lead. In Group B, Chelsea are unbeaten and Celtic have yet to win a game. It's still going to be a difficult game for the Blues and they will have to stay focussed against an opponent that will put up a tough scrap. The bad news is that Kadisha Buchanan has an ACL injury so French youngster Mpone will keep Millie company at the back. Kat is up front and Zecira in goal. It's a chilly one so we are hoping for some goals to warm us up. A bit of Liquidator and the Champions league Anthem and we're off.

Rinse and Repeat. Kaneryd is bombing down the wing causing chaos. The result is a Guru corner. It's taken short and the looping cross is volleyed in by Lucy. The keeper gets a hand to it but can't keep it out and it's 1-0 to the Blues bang on the minute mark. The hosts get a few more chances but the target proves elusive. The early energy tails of a bit. Another short corner and Kaptein heads it in on25 from a Guru cross. Four corners and 2 goals. 2-0. There are more corners and more chances but the ball stays out of the net. There is no added time in a half that has been as frustrating as it has been good for Chelsea.

Sonia makes a change at the break with Mayra replaces Kat up front. Mayra does her thing and holds the ball up well as the Blue continue to dominate. Lucy and Johanna are causing the Ghurls problems down the right. Their defence holds strong despite though despite the pressure and more corners. The Ghurls do seem to be throwing themselves to the floor in frustration and getting free kicks from the ref. Time for the changes to start and Eve replaces Guru. Ashley Lawrence moves forward but is soon replaced. On comes U17 England winger Lola Brown who only signed her first Pro contract just 2 days ago. Huge cheers from the crowd as she get her first touch of the ball but she's not at all phased that her debut is in the Champions League. There are 4 minutes of injury time and at 90+3 the ref gives a Chelsea penalty for handball. Eve makes no mistake from the spot. It finishes a comfortable looking 3-0.

A tough but deserved win for the Blues. They could and should have scored a bucket load more goals but it's job done as they have now qualified for the Quarter Finals. Celtic never looked like scoring with Zecira barely touching the ball with her gloves. The Blues support was a bit quiet tonight but it was very cold. Even basil struggled to get the crowd going. The funniest chant of the night goes to "Just like London, your city is blue!" Harsh but funny. One of the biggest cheers was for 17 year old Lola who seemed at home at the Bridge. Job done for the Champions League for now as it the League cup up next before the international break.

POTM: Wieke Kaptein 🏅 for her dominant performance in the middle and the goal. I, I Kaptein.

The ref had a reasonable game but lacked consistency, booking nothing fouls and ignoring dangerous play like Erin getting pushed in the back while in the air jumping for a header.

Basil watch: He was spotted outside trying to get all his flags through security. He tried to get the crowd going but for the first time his batteries seemed to run out There was some singing for him near the end, "We're only here for the Basil" but everyone was too cold to make much noise by then.

Bottle top update: All bottle tops entered the ground unmolested.

See you in Crawley.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

West Stand Rules

Almost at the Bridge

Up the Chels

We Don't Need No Drummer

Lewes FC host Bognor Regis Town FC in the Isthmian Premier League at the Dripping Pan

It's Sussex derby time again as the Rooks host the Rocks at the Pan Sero. Lewes have flatlined in 6th after 3 consecutive draws while Bognor are sitting bottom after a poor run. Dougie is back in the squad and is on the bench. Malaki has left the Rooks but a new striker, Gianluca Botti, makes his home debut tonight. One last playing (of a recording of) the last post and it's time for battle to commence although a little late at 7.50 not 7.45.

First impressions count and the new No.9 made a good one, Gianluca gets his first home goal for the Rooks after just 36 seconds ⚽. Hoping there aren't any Brentford scout in the crowd. If he disappears suddenly, look for him at a London bus stop. The Rooks level on 10 after a bit of a defensive howler by the Rooks No. 1. There is a brief appearance of the Rocks drummer helping them sing a bit but not much to sing about at the moment.  Neither side really has any control of the game although the Rocks are making better use of their possession. No more goals though. Still 1-1 at the break.

There are no changes at the restart. The Rooks start to control game a lot more and are putting some good moves together. The Rocks are solid at the back though and getting are some joy with their route 1 approach. It gets less effective as the Rooks get wise to it. It's still a bit of a stalemate. Harvey Whyte goes off on 63 and his mate, Dougie comes on at 75. The Rooks only change Elechi replacing Enkh on 81. We have to wait until 87 for the important 3rd goal. It's a screamer from outside the box by Rooks No. 4, Matt Warren  ⚽. 2-1 to the hosts. "2-1 on your big day out is sung towards the silenced Rocks. It's very soon replaced by "3-1 on your big day out" as some great work by Gianluca secures his brace ⚽. He is immediately replaced by Antonio. Another minute and the chant changes to "4-1 on your big day out" as Bassett hits the net on 90+5 ⚽. "We want 5" is the new chant. We don't get our wish and it ends 4-1.

A great day at the office for the Rooks and one to forget for the Rocks. They had no real answer when it was pointed out. no so politely. that they were "going down with the Whitehawk". They played well at times but were predictable. Dougie helped a bit with the creativity they were not good enough at the back. The Rooks were ruthless at the end and got their reward for the second half improvement. Up into the playoff places. Always a good day out at The Pan and it deserves a bigger crowd than 590. It's our international break now before we return to the Champions League.

POTM: The award was already going to Matt Warren 🏅before his goal for great running on the right and getting the ball into the box. Always being available out on the wing when an out ball was required from the congested midfield. . If your speedy wingers are going to play narrower, like Marcus Sablier tonight, then you need a speedy fullback. Goal of the night as well.

The ref had a strange night but was very laid back considering the amount of abuse he took. Another ref would have filled up the sin bin but this guy just laughed it off. He let a huge amount go and was largely consistent.

The Scran'o'meter loved the creamy hot chocolate. Needed sweetening but still gets a stocking 9/10. There was the catastrophe of the broken fryer and hence no chips so a shocking 0/10 for the chips that weren't.

Parking does usually get a comment but we would like to thank whoever locked us in the College Car Park. It was great fun.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

It's Pantastic to be back

When The Gooners Get Tough

Brighton & Hove Albion Women face Arsenal Women in the WSL at the Emirates Stadium

The Seagulls first trip to the Emirates with high hopes but moderate expectations. North London Forever and a rendition of the Last Post set the scene. Worst case scenario is 3rd place as the Gunners are 4 (yes, 4) point below.

Brighton look confident and have good possession but the defending is woeful. Arsenal are 3-0 up after 25 minutes with goals from Beth Mead (13), Caitlin Foord (22) and Frida Leonhardsen Maanum (25). Bugger. Efficient striking from the Gunners.  Baggers makes a great save from Beth Mead deep into injury time. With the clock ticking down, the Gunners decide to take a short corner and the ref blows the half time whistle before the ball can go into the box. Much moaning at the ref on the pitch but lots of laughing in the away end🤣.

The second half starts with Dotti getting injured and being replaced by Rachel McLauchlan on 50. The are a few Gunners chances but the ball is kept out of the net. The Seagulls find the energy for a brief surge and Kiko gets a couple of good chances, forcing a good save and hitting the cross bar. Nearly.  Lina Hurtig heads in a McCabe corner about a minute after coming on to replace Catlin Foord🙄. Dario finally makes his changes on 87 ⌚ and we see Masaka for the first time. Rosso gets round Caraballi then goes over in the box. Lessi just beats Baggers from the spot on 90+4. 5-0. Aisha Masaka starts to make an impact, threatening the Gunner goal. She is felled in the box and has to be stretchered off with gas and air and a shoulder injury. She isn't replaced and the last minute is played out 10 players.

The Gunners have found form at just the wrong moment for the Seagulls. They were outclassed all night. Not what we expected, although it was always on the cards. Great teams are still great teams even when they are playing badly. Still, we are a point above Arsenal in the table seven games into the season. Haha. Seagulls have a huge amount of credit in the bank so just have to put tonight behind them and think about West Ham on Saturday. A consolation goal would have been nice but there wasn't much of a goal threat tonight. It wouldn't have made much difference to the scoreline if they had Gunnersaurus in goal. Lots of lessons need to be learned and to work out what has changed since the Everton game but that's for tomorrow. Hope Masaka is OK and looking forward to seeing more of her playing in the near future. Time to leave North London (Not Forever, just until next time) and head back to Sussex By The Sea.

POTM: Not a great team performance but a couple of good sliding tackles from Jorelyn Carabali so she get the award again🏅.

Bottle top news: Normal service resumed and all bottle tops remained intact following the bag search.🍾

The stewarding was great and they had a good laugh at some of our songs.

Scran'o'meter learned from previous trips to the Emirates and took food from home so the concourse could be avoided. Special mention goes the Sweet Man at £1 a bag outside the stadium.

The ref was inconsistently inconsistent. Felt a bit like the hosts got the benefit of the doubt for every foul although off-side looked well officiated.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Clock End

Seagulls at the Emirates

Olislagers Corner

Here again

Sparks Fly

Newhaven FC v Oakwood FC at Tinsley lane in the RUR Cup 2nd Round

The Dockers finally make it to Tinsley Lane to face the Oaks in the RUR Cup after the postponement a couple of weeks ago. It's Bonfire night so we are expecting fireworks all around us but hopefully not on the pitch. The Dockers lost 5-0 away to Hassocks on Saturday . Hoping for a nice quiet win. Bussy back in goal is a good sign. It starts badly for the Dockers when the Oaks score from nowhere on 9. There is lots of protest about off-side and Bailie ends up booked. Lee levels the score a minute later. A couple more Dockers goals from Bailie and Luke Donaldson sees the half finish 1-3.

The second half sees a few more chances but no goals for the Dockers. The Oaks get a late second and the momentum is with them. Thankfully is not going to penalties as the Dockers hold on for the win. 2-3. WemberleeeeEastbourne.

A good win for the Reds but it was too nervy at the end (again) although they did hang on for the win this time. Newhaven are through to the Semi-finals and will be away at Eastbourne United in January. Hope we find a bit more form by then. And a few more return from injury.

POTM: There will be some tired legs out there after that shift but it goes to Koby for great work in attack and defence.

The ref will have had better days. He didn't protect the young lino who got 'Roger'd' And booking Breachy at the end to give us all a laugh.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Nice new ground

The Oaks

Dario Ga Ga

Brighton & Hove Albion Women face Leicester City Women in the WSL the Peoples Pension Stadium

We're at the Broadfield for the first time this season to watch the on-fire Seagulls take on the struggling Foxes 🦊. Brighton are 3rd and Leicester back in 7th. Dario was Manager of the Month of October🏆.  It's mild but feels like it's getting dark already. It's our remembrance game so the managers lay wreaths and the last post is played.

Brighton have great possession and dominate the ball from the start. The breakthrough comes on 20 when Nikita ⚽ heads home (again) from close range. The score board doesn't update and we start to wonder if it has been disallowed for some bizarre reason. The screen goes black and when it comes back on with the correct score, there is a big cheer. There are more chances and plenty of corners but it's a single goal advantage at the break.

It's business as usual with the Seagulls dominating the ball. The Foxes gradually start to get back into it a bit. The Leicester manager makes changes and they are more effective than those made by Brighton. They have 10 minutes of constant pressure as the Seagulls sit back and weather the storm. It's a big relief when the whistle goes.

It was never in doubt until it was. The Seagulls need to be more ruthless when dominating early in games. It would save a lot of nerves in the last 10 minues of games. Leicester defended well but didn't really look like scoring. It was great to be back at the Broadfield but a shame the 2082 attendance wasn't higher. Up next, the Gunners on Friday.

The ref was a bit of a useless article. Must not have been aware that he could book either side. The Seagulls got 3 yellows (4 if you count Dario) and the Foxes got none. Bonkers. 🤡

POTM: Goes to a top defender for keeping it all safe and organised at the back, Guru Bergsvand 🏅.

The Scran'o'meter was back at it's favourite place with the wood fired Pizza only getting 9 as it was downgraded by 0.0 for making us wait so long.

See you soon.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Back at the Broadfield