Lewes have reasons for optimism at both ends of the pitch.

The Rookettes will bid for a fourth successive victory against West Ham United on Sunday to climb into the top half of the Premier League south table.

A 3-1 win over Forest Green Rovers at the Dripping Pan last weekend took their goal tally to nine in the last three games having failed to score in their previous five outings.

John Donoghue’s side are also looking far more solid at the back with Hollie Augustus, pictured, making an impressive debut after joining on a season-long loan from Super League outfit Arsenal.

Donoghue said: “We’re really pleased that we are scoring some goals again, especially in front of our own supporters. We are creating more chances now which was the problem before rather than finishing them.

“The team is looking a lot more settled. We lost some key players and it took a while for those who came in to adapt and for those around them to build up an understanding.

“I think things were skewed a bit by the fixtures we had as we played a lot of the top sides in a row and are now starting to face those around us in the table.

“At the moment I don’t think the table is a true reflection of where we are. We’ll have a better idea when we have played every team at least once.”

Donoghue is delighted to have been able to land Augustus from the Gunners after regular No.1 Lauren Dolbear was ruled out with a combination of wrist and elbow injuries.

“Lauren has been magnificent for us but we needed to take her out so she can fully recover,” added Donoghue. “Hopefully she won’t be out too long and can then compete with Hollie for the goalkeeper’s spot.

“Hollie did really well on Sunday. She has obviously been schooled really well at Arsenal and this is an opportunity for her to come and play some competitive games.

“I think it will work out well for both clubs as it can be quite comfortable playing for Arsenal’s development team as a goalkeeper. She needed to challenge herself and fighting for points will be a different scenario for her.”

Lewes will be hot favourites to extend their winning run on Sunday against a Hammers side which saw six players walk out in protest two weeks ago and were hammered 8-1 by Charlton last weekend.

Donoghue said: “I don’t know what went on there. It seems like they have had a few problems but we can’t afford to worry about that.

 “Sometimes people find additional fighting spirit in adversity so we will need to be at our best.”

Meanwhile Sussex Women went down to a 4-2 defeat against Middlesex at Uxbridge last night in their opening match of the Southern Counties Championship. Chichester’s Jade Widdows was on target in the first half with Albion’s Phoebe Leitch making it 3-2 after the break.