FOOTBALL: WEST Ham United Ladies and Lewes were forced to share the spoils after a hard fought game at Ship Lane ended 1-1 on Sunday.

Lewes recorded a 3-0 win in this fixture last season and the Hammers were keen to avenge that defeat, coming close in the 10th minute after a thunderous Cherelle Albert effort hit the crossbar.

Albert showed considerable skill when she skipped past two challenges to put in a dangerous cross after 21 minutes, but nobody was able to connect.

The Hammers started playing further up the pitch as the Lewes team began to frustrate their opponents.

The Rookettes were dangerous on the counter and could have stolen the lead just before the break, but Naomi Cole skied her shot over after good work from Kirsty Spice to get the cross away.

The second half kicked-off and almost immediately, Lewes were ahead. A corner was drifted in perfectly for Cole to head home.

After the goal Hammers laboured to create chances that were few and far between, despite keen running from Blanchflower and Albert.

As the match entered its last ten minutes, Hammers breached the Rookettes backline and Albert released Blanchflower who found the back of the net.

With the game all square, the last ten minutes were back and forth as both teams refused to play for the draw. Lewes came closest to breaking the deadlock at the death, but Kirsty Spice drilled her effort into the post.