South Premier Mens Division 2
Lewes 1st Xi 4 (Jervis (2), Roberts (2))
Bournemouth 1st Xi 2
This was one of Lewes’ best performances of the season to keep their hopes alive of avoiding relegation.
Lewes started well, pressing the Bournemouth defence and, after ten minutes, a skilful run by Toby Price beating three defenders set up David Roberts to score from close range. Bournemouth became frustrated and some poor tackles saw them down to nine players but Lewes struggled to make the extra players count. In fact Bournemouth utilised the aerial ball to great effect and but for Mike Wood’s clearance off the line via a post the scores would have been level after they split open the Lewes defence. As soon as they were back up to eleven players they equalised from a well taken strike. Lewes then regained the momentum with Matt Rickson seeing a shot fly just past the far post but two penalty corners were wasted just before half time.
In the second half skipper Matt Clark was prominent in most of the hosts attacks and he set up Rory Jervis who deflected superbly his pass into the goal with his reverse stick to give Lewes the lead. Mid table Bournemouth had fast forwards and equalised again from close range five minutes later. Lewes responded and as Bournemouth again became frustrated with umpires’ decisions losing three players to temporary suspensions a fast break saw Jervis set up Roberts who scored his second and Lewes’s third with a fierce shot from the top of the circle. Bournemouth pressed again but defenders Grant Davey, Tom Stratford and Tom Voller held firm and goalkeeper Jack Edgerton saved well from a point blank shot to keep Lewes ahead. With ten minutes remaining after a good move down the right involving Jonny Rea, whose selfless running all afternoon stretched the Bournemouth defence, Jervis was released and he scored again to give Lewes a two goal cushion. Lewes absorbed pressure in the final minutes but deservedly held on for three crucial points.
Skipper Matt Clark was understandably delighted “we gave a strong disciplined performance today and scored just at the right times. I am really pleased how we bounced back after some disappointing performances and with two matches left and results in other leagues still not determining whether two or four teams will go down it is still all to play for but all we can do is concentrate on our own results.”
On Saturday they are away at Staines who are four points and two places ahead of them in the league. Staines will be buoyed by having beaten league leaders Oxford University last week who Lewes play in their final fixture.
Sussex Men’s div 2
Lewes 3s 1 (Harvey)
Southwick 2s 1
The home game between Lewes and Southwick was the quintessential six pointer. A Southwick victory would have seen them overtake Lewes and climb away from the bottom of the table. Lewes came into the match following an excellent hard fought point from last week’s trip to Horsham and were confident of building on this foundation. Unfortunately Southwick had other ideas.
In a lacklustre first half Lewes struggled to gather momentum and lacked strength and quality across the pitch. Southwick duly capitalised as several Lewes players were reduced to spectators allowing the Southwick striker to fire in from an acute angle. Lewes 0 Southwick 1 at half time.
Stern words from Captain Casselden followed and once again Lewes came into the second half rejuvenated. Eye catching forward play from Oli Amos, Charlie Cooke and Fred Sanders coupled with swashbuckling tackling from Sam Matthews and Pete Dakin drove Lewes to dominate the second half earning the award of a deserved penalty stroke duly converted by the unflappable Tom Harvey. Further chances but no further goals for Lewes followed but a 1-1 draw ensures Lewes are in a strong position going into the next two crucial games against sides below them in the league starting with away at Crawley next week.
Man of the match: Oli Amos
Match report: Richard Pulley
Sussex Open Men’s Div 3
Mid Sussex 3rd Xi 0
Lewes 4th Xi 3 (Coplestone (2), Debice)
This was not Lewes’ best performance as they struggled with a changed side on a dry hard surface. But for some profligate finishing by the hosts and some good saves from goalkeeper Chris Sharpe throughout the result could have been different.
Lewes scored just before halftime when James Coplestone latched onto a loose ball to hit under the goalkeeper. The defence held firm with Will Champness and Simon Forster outstanding in the first half.
In the second half Lewes were better and Coplestone scored his second from close range and Dax Debice scored a well taken goal with a first time effort from a cross from the right to give a slightly flattering scoreline.
Lewes who remain in third place have two tough away games this weekend at East Grinstead and Horsham with two points separating the top three teams.
Sussex Ladies div 2
Lewes 4s 4 (Hepple, Jackson, Leatherland, Cunningham)
Hailsham 2s 0
A well deserved win hoists Lewes up to 8th position
Slightly jaded from their Christmas do a la Shanaz the previous eve the depilated ladies
arrived somewhat green around the gills.
Despite the oppressive (h)air, Lewes started brightly and were able to create wave after wave of attacking play up the field breaking apart the Hailsham defence with laser like precision.
Lewes’ first penalty corner came early and was struck by Julia ‘hairless’ Hoare to be expertly deflected in by Sara ‘short back and sides’ Heps.
The Lewes defence felt confident enough to push high and Rhiannon ‘Blondie’ Burgess was seen making many welcome forays into her opposing 25. This constant pressure created a second goal when Burgess drove into the D with a cross and, with the accolade of top Ladies 4s scorer still up for grabs, Iris ‘Sweeny Todd’ Jackson needed no runway – like an inverted Brazilian she saw the gap and tapped in the shot.
Leathers tore strips off the Hailsham left back at every opportunity as the opposing defender seemed rooted to the spot. It was after one such bursting run that she found herself top D with time to make no mistake with her resounding, razor sharp shot.
Seemingly trimmed of energy in the second half, the gals in green only managed a single goal. This time from a honed short corner routine. Harriet ‘Coiffured’ Cunningham reverse clipped a shot that snipped past the Hailsham keeper to make it 4-0.
You could have forgiven Constable Gooding a hangover-busting nap as she wasn’t troubled all game and virtually dropped off from inactivity.
Tombstone of the match was awarded to World of Pleatherland.
