The prestigious First Team Manager’s Player of the Year was presented to 18 year old striker Kasia Viggor who has  also played for the England Womens Under 19s

KASIA VIGGOR

 during the season. Kasia of Forest Hill was chosen for her consistent strong performance on the pitch and the number of goals scored which enabled the club to stay in the Women’s Southerm Premier League.

Equally exciting was the nomination for First Team Players’ Player of the Year – an accolade that is voted on by the Millwall Lionesses themselves. 28 year old Dionne Lennon of Southwark, Captain and defender, was presented with the award because of her strong leadership skills and commitment to the club having played at Millwall Lionesses for over ten years.

Dionne also picked up the Surporters Player of the Season award which was voted for at the last home match of the season by the Lionesses surporters.

DIONNE LENNON

Prior to the First Team receiving their trophies, Millwall Lionesses Reserves players Natalie Alexander-Grant of Tooting and Ashante Odogun of Southwark received the Players’ Player of the Year and the Reserves Manager’s Player of the Year respectively.

Other categories presented during the Awards included:

• Millwall and Lewisham Centre of Excellence Manager’s Under 17 Player of the Year – Sophie Bridson
• Millwall and Lewisham Centre of Excellence Players’ Under 17 Player of the Year – Chantelle Mackie
• Millwall and Lewisham Centre of Excellence Manager’s Under 15 Player of the Year – Charlie Devlin
• Millwall and Lewisham Centre of Excellence Players’ Under 15 Player of the Year – Hope Nash
• Millwall and Lewisham Centre of Excellence Manager’s Under 13 Player of the Year – Lotte Wubben-Moy
• Millwall and Lewisham Centre of Excellence Players’ Under 13 Player of the Year – Simone Eligon
• Millwall and Lewisham Centre of Excellence Manager’s Under 11 Player of the Year – Katie Jefferies
• Millwall and Lewisham Centre of Excellence Players’ Under 11 Player of the Year – Tia Kelk
• Millwall Lionesses Junior Clubman of the Year – Paige Bradley

Admission is by ticket only. Tickets can be obtained for your team manager or from the Lions Centre.

Players- free entry

Adults- £5

Children u16- £2

Family ticket- £12 [2 adults maximun]

Deserted by the manager and majority of players who got us relegated from the National Division last season the Lionesses was bound to find hard going this season.

The Lionesses appointed new manager Alberto Kurti  from within the club with the difficult task of putting a team together from scratch.

With only 3 or 4 players remaining from last season first team squad Alberto had to promote last season reserves players into the team to start the season.

With only one point gained from the first 5 matches, Millwall young and inexperienced team found it hard going against the established teams in the league.

With the addition of a few new players the team began to gel and gain confidence. By the end of March the Lionesses completed the season with 17 points in 7^th position.

The three team below [ QPR 2 games,16pts/ Plymouth  3 games, 14pts/ Keynsham 1 game, 14 pts] were within 3 points of the Lionesses and had up to 3 games remaining. All these remaining fixtures were scheduled to be completed this month.

Two team will be relegated.

1^st APRIL , Plymouth beat Brighton, this left Plymouth level on point, but with an inferior goal difference and 2 game remaining.

8^th APRIL, QPR beat Brighton, this left QPR with 19 points and pull Millwall down into 8^th position.

15^th APRIL. A crucial weekend for the Lionesses. If Keynsham win at QPR or Plymouth get a point at home to Tottenham, the Lionesses would be relegated.

  Results—QPR 1, Keynsham 1,  Plymouth 1, Tottenham 4.                                           

 Keynsham Town was relegated, the Lionesses survive another week.

TODAY.   Portsmouth Ladies  v  Plymouth Argyle                                                                   

 Bad news- A point for Plymouth would relegate the Lionesses.                                           

 Good news- Portsmouth is in 3^rd place, 2 point behind leaders Colchester.  A win at home today would see them promoted to the F.A. Women’s National Premier League, and most of all survival for Millwall Lionesses

The Lionesses came second in group four behind Charlton Athletic and will meet West Ham United Ladies in the next round this Sunday

Millwall Lionesses 1 – Gillingham LFC 0

First Half
The Lionesses welcomed local rivals, Gillingham, back to their home turf for the second time in two weeks in what was the Lionesses’ final league fixture.
The Lionesses started the game with a high tempo and could have taken the lead in the first minute with KAYLIGH XIDHAS’ strike going just inches wide of the goal.
After some frank exchanges, after 15 minutes CHARLOTTE GURR began demonstrating some intelligent passing against the opposition, this becoming one of the key tactics of the home team as the game went on. After collecting the ball on the left wing, KAYLEIGH XIDHAS made one of her many forward runs beyond CHARLOTTE GURR who was able to play a through ball in between the Gillingham defence for KASIA VIGGOR to run onto. However, the Gillingham goalkeeper was alert to the danger and quickly advanced to collect the ball.
LEANNE CHAMP returned to the starting line up and wasted no time in introducing her tough tackling style on the disciplined Gillingham midfield.
19 minutes into the game Gillingham worked hard to gain possession and were economical in their passes. The midfield duo of KAYLEIGH XIDHAS and LEANNE CHAMP were unable to retrieve possession from the Gillingham midfielder who used some excellent skill to bypass both Millwall players.

LEANNE CHAMP went on to make a forward run, retaining possession despite Gillingham pressure. Captain, DIONNE LENNON, advanced from the centre of defence, to take an uncharacteristic shot which went inches wide of the visitor’s goal.
SHAUNIE GRIFITHS found some joy, pouncing on opportunities to attack the wing.

Second Half
Gillingham barely had time to settle when 7 minutes into the second half CHARLOTTE GURR slid a through ball to her attacking partner, KASIA VIGGOR who calmly slotted past the advancing Gillingham goalkeeper making it 1-0 to Millwall.

The Lionesses grew more confident and successfully maintained dominance over their rivals from then on in. Once again, leading by example, DIONNE LENNON found herself driving forward. Her low cross was safely collected by the Gillingham goalkeeper who showed confident, safe hands.
On the 70^th minute, Lioness keeper FRANKIE GIBBS took her turn to show her command of the goal area, as she made an impressive double save against the Gillingham striker who shot from close range, reacting quickly to strike the rebounded ball.
Substitute, NICHA DYETT, came on to give the Gillingham defence little rest, in particular their impressive centre back who was constantly halted by the Millwall striker, in her efforts to play out from the back.
Substitutes IZZY KULINSKI and ASHANTE ODOGUN brought energy to the game, helping keep the remainder of the game time in favour of the hosts, as Gillingham appeared to run out of steam.

Result: Millwall 1 Gillingham 0

Squad: Frankie Gibbs, Ellie Manning, Dionne Lennon (C), Francesca Strugnell,

Shaunni Grifiths, Leanne Champ, Francesca Ali, Kayligh Xidhas, Charlotte Gurr, Kasia Viggor,

Channel Yardley, Ashante Odogun, Ciara Sherwood, Isabel Kulinski, Nicha Dyett.

Millwall Lionesses are currently seventh in the league. Other results yet to come in will determine their future in the league.

On Tuesday night

Squad:
Chanell Yardley, Ellie Manning, Dionne Lennon, Francesca Strugnell, Eve Gilroy, Shauni Grifiths, Ciara Sherwood, Francesca Ali, Kayligh Xidhas, Kasia Viggor, Charlotte Gurr,
Sub:
Ashante Odogun, Egle Trezi, Isabel Kulinski, Nicha Dyett.

The match will take place at Thamesmead Town Football Club Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ , kick off 7.45 pm

  A much anticipated cup fixture played in front of a crowd who were treated to what transpired to be a competitive exchange.

The standards were established by the home side, who looked to maintain Millwall’s signature low, short passing. Flashes of promising combination play initiated by KAYLEIGH XIDHAS fell short as play reached the final third. As the early stages of the first half wore on, it was important that both teams rose to the challenges and the pressures resulting from the heat. Gillingham adopted a contrasting, direct game plan with their defence coping well with aerial challenges. However, in attack Gillingham struggled to successfully link their efforts in the final third. Lioness SHAUNIE GRIFITHS particularly shone in the first half with a strong, confident performance, beating players and delivering crosses, her progress prevented only by three Gillingham defenders.

The opening goal came from The Lionesses in the 50^th minute with a well executed cross by CHARLOTTE GURR finding DIONNE LENNON who headed it expertly past the Gillingham keeper. It was a deserved goal, as Millwall players had shown great resilience.

As the game wore on, tempers began to rise, from the bench to the pitch. The passion for the game demonstrated the desire to perform well at a high level by both teams. The players began to tire and the tally of free kicks began to increase. Gaps began to appear but neither team were able to take advantage. The industrious Lioness CHARLOTTE GURR was at the heart of some impressive short passing, combining with KASIA VIGGGOR and KAYLEIGH XIDHAS. Gillingham continued to compete, but were outplayed as tactically they were left exposed. The aerial passes were less profitable as players became tired and it was at this stage that Millwall grew in confidence.

In the 89^th minute Gillingham achieved their equaliser from a corner and former Lionesses player Sarah Jones’ header found the back of the net.

The Millwall response was immediate, their never say die attitude typified by defender, EVE GILROY, who collected the ball from the Millwall goal, placing it on the centre circle whilst the Gillingham players celebrated at the scoreline.

With 2 minutes of normal time left, KASIA used her skill and pace to escape the Gillingham defence to deliver a low cross from the left. NICHA was on hand to direct the ball for a second time past the helpless Gillingham goalkeeper.

Injury time was played, but at this stage, Gillingham were low on confidence, dominated by the determined Lionesses.

Result: Millwall 2 Gillingham 1

Squad: Francesca Gibbs, Ellie Manning, Dionne Lennon (C), Eve Gilroy, Francesca Strugnell, Shaunni Grifiths, Ciara Sherwood, Francesca Ali, Kayiligh Xidhas, Charlotte Gurr, Kasia Viggor.

Sub: Channel Yardley, Nicha Dyett, Egle Trezzi, Isabel Kulinski, Ashante Odogun.

The Lionesses’ next game is on Tuesday the 13^th March away at Charlton Ladies FC in the League cup at Thamesmead Town FC Stadium 7:45 kick off.

The Lionesses are due to play Gillingham again on Sunday 18^th in their final league game at Beckenham Town FC. They are determined to win this game and secure survival in the league.

Millwall Lionesses FC

get in touch to promote your business by Sponsoring the Lionesses!

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The Millwall response was immediate, their never say die attitude typified by defender, EVE GILROY, who collected the ball from the Millwall goal, placing it on the centre circle whilst the Gillingham players celebrated at the scoreline.

With 2 minutes of normal time left, KASIA used her skill and pace to escape the Gillingham defence to deliver a low cross from the left. NICHA was on hand to direct the ball for a second time past the helpless Gillingham goalkeeper.

Injury time was played, but at this stage, Gillingham were low on confidence, dominated by the determined Lionesses.

Result: Millwall 2 Gillingham 1

Squad: Francesca Gibbs, Ellie Manning, Dionne Lennon (C), Eve Gilroy, Francesca Strugnell, Shaunni Grifiths, Ciara Sherwood, Francesca Ali, Kayiligh Xidhas, Charlotte Gurr, Kasia Viggor.

Sub: Channel Yardley, Nicha Dyett, Egle Trezzi, Isabel Kulinski, Ashante Odogun.

The Lionesses’ next game is on Tuesday the 13^th March away at Charlton Ladies FC in the League cup at Thamesmead Town FC Stadium 7:45 kick off.

The Lionesses are due to play Gillingham again on Sunday 18^th in their final league game at Beckenham Town FC. They are determined to win this game and secure survival in the league.

Millwall Lionesses FC

get in touch to promote your business by Sponsoring the Lionesses!

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