Match
Reports
1 March 2008
Sussex Veterans League
Worthing Veterans 7
Lewes Priors 2 (Fitzpatrick, Spruce)
Lewes were missing four players and were well beaten by Worthing.
They were 2-0 down midway through the first half before they got
back into the match with Paul Spruce deflecting in a penalty corner
and Simon Ball setting up Jason Fitzpatrick to equalise. Lewes could
not convert other chances or penalty corners and were made to pay
when Worthing scored a well taken goal to snatch the lead just on
half time.
In the second half an early injury to Fitzpatrick saw him leave
the field disrupting Lewes and whilst they forced penalty corners
these again came to nothing. Worthing were more clinical with their
opportunities scoring two quick goals and in the final five minutes
Lewes were guilty of not getting the ball clear in defence and conceded
two more goals.
16 February 2008
9 February 2008
Sussex Veterans League
East Grinstead Saints 5
Lewes Priors 1 (Fuller)
Lewes were well beaten by a strong Grinstead side on the water
based surface at Saint Hill. Lewes started slowly and were quickly
2-0 down. They got back into the game but could not convert their
limited chances or penalty corners. Five minutes before half time
Lewes conceded the third goal but creditably replied just on half
time when Mike Fuller scored after a breakaway.
In the second half Lewes were under early pressure and keeper Richard
Walker kept them in the game with some brave saves. Midway through
the half Grinstead scored their fourth but despite spells of pressure
Lewes could not score and just on the final whistle Grinstead got
their fifth goal even though they were down to ten men.
3 February 2008
Sussex Veterans Cup
Worthing Veterans 2
Lewes Priors 3 (Fuller, Spruce, Williams)
Lewes made it to the final of the Sussex Veterans Cup for the first
time in four years with a narrow win on Sunday.
Worthing were runners-up last year and were desperate to be in the
final again but Lewes were first to score when a penalty corner
shot looped up into the air and Mike Fuller calmly volleyed the
ball over the line after 15 minutes. Lewes ‘keeper Adrian
Shorter then made a number of brave saves as the Lewes defence was
put under severe pressure by the home side for long periods up to
half time.
In the second half Lewes had the early possession but did not take
their chances. With 20 minutes left Jon Williams finally scored
from one of Lewes's penalty corners with a skilful reverse flick.
Worthing would not lie down and immediately came back and scored
from a penalty corner to make it 2-1.
With ten minutes remaining Lewes looked to have put the game out
of Worthing's reach when Simon Ball released Paul Spruce in the
circle and he drew the ‘keeper before slotting home. Worthing
came back again and scored with two minutes remaining and even had
a goal correctly disallowed as their forwards shot had hit a foot
as the match became frantic in the final stages. Lewes survived
and deservedly will face East Grinstead or Chichester in the final
on 20 April.
2 February 2008
Sussex Veterans League
Lewes Priors 5 (Baillie-Hamilton (2), Fitzpatrick, Fuller, Meacher)
Tunbridge Wells Veterans 4
Yet again a goal in the final minutes saved the Priors and kept
them in second place in the Veterans league. Comfortably ahead 4-1
at half time they allowed Tunbridge Wells back into the match in
the second half. Lewes goals were from Simon Baillie-Hamilton (2),
Dave Meacher, Mike Fuller and Jason Fitzpatrick.
26 January 2008
Sussex Veterans League
Mid Sussex Veterans 3
Lewes Priors 4 (Fitzpatrick (3), Fuller)
The Priors are making a habit of winning matches with late goals.
They snatched victory in dramatic style with a goal two minutes
from time when Jason Fitzpatrick scored from close range to complete
his hat-trick and keep them in second place in the Veterans League.
The early stages of the match saw the Priors under pressure as players
in different positions to normal struggled against the pace and
movement of an in form Mid-Sussex team. It was against the run of
play when Fitzpatrick nipped in to open the scoring after 25 minutes.
In the second half the pattern was the same and when Fitzpatrick
struck from the top of the circle after 15 minutes there seemed
no way back for the home side. Creditably Mid Sussex' pushed forward
and scored from a deflected penalty corner, but the Priors responded
immediately when Mike Fuller deflected the ball home. Ten minutes
to go and 3-1 up, 'it must be all over...'; but it was not! Mid
Sussex scored twice in five minutes, their third goal three minutes
from time being a penalty stroke to equalise. But they had not taken
into account the Priors resilience and they went straight back up
field to score the winner and leave the home side deflated.
19 January 2008
Sussex Veterans League
Lewes Priors 2 (Fuller S, Heinzl)
Horsham Veterans 1
Lewes won this match the hard way. Chris Shaw was 20 minutes late
having been delayed by traffic and ‘keeper Richard Walker
got the start time wrong and arrived 25 minutes late!
Lewes had therefore to start with only nine men and held out until
a soft reverse stick shot surprised replacement ‘keeper David
Mansell and rolled in with 15 minutes gone. The early extra running
of the nine players had taken its toll on Lewes even when they were
back up to eleven but they survived until half time with no further
damage.
Lewes immediately stepped up the pace of the game in the second
half with winger Mike Fuller involved in most attacks but Horsham
defended valiantly to keep their lead. Despite dominating possession
for long periods Lewes rarely tested the Horsham ‘keeper.
But with less than ten minutes remaining, skipper Rob Heinzl scored
with a penalty corner strike and then at the other end ‘keeper
Walker made amends with an instinctive save as Horsham suddenly
pressed for the winner. With five minutes remaining Lewes were awarded
another penalty corner and Steve Fuller scored with a fierce shot
into the corner of the goal to give an exhausted Lewes side a deserved
but extraordinary win.
12 January 2008
Sussex Veterans League
Oxted Veterans 7
Lewes Priors 4 (Heinzl, Spruce (3))
This top of the table clash result leaves Oxted seven points clear
and favourites to win the Veterans League for the second successive
year, although Lewes have a game in hand.
In a hard fought game Oxted were stronger and more skilful throughout
and Lewes were guilty of conceding some soft goals at important
times in the match. They were 3-0 down within twenty minutes but
creditably fought back to level just before half time through ‘skipper
Rob Heinzl and a brace from Paul Spruce. Oxted scored a crucial
goal just on half time from close range and dominated the second
period. Only brave defending from Clive Stillman and David Mansell
kept the scoreline down before Lewes grabbed a consolation goal
right on the final whistle when Spruce scored.
.
For copies of last years match reports please
e-mail Carl
Goldsmith
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