LEWES 2:1 BILLERICAY TOWN

Two first-half goals from Michael Malcolm helped Lewes to their second home win in succession against a strong Billericay Town side.

Lewes manager Steve King made three changes to the side which had beaten Metropolitan Police in their previous game, with Stuart Robinson, Jamie Cade and Hakeem Adelakun coming in for Steve Williams, Wade Small and Dwayne Lee in the starting line-up.

The Rooks started well, with Michael Malcolm seeing Billericay goalkeeper Nick Morgan misjudge his low 25-yard shot and only just manage to turn it onto the foot of the post.

Lewes’ positive start was rewarded after 15 minutes, as Malcolm gave them the lead with an outstanding 30-yard lob after a wind-assisted through-ball from Jamie Cade.

The Rooks doubled their lead after 29 minutes, when Malcolm sent a curling shot from 12 yards in off the post after a low cross into the penalty area from Cade.

Lewes could have extended their lead soon after when Paul Booth saw his close-range shot well saved by Morgan, after latching onto a through-ball from Malcolm.

However, it was the visitors who came close to scoring just before half-time. Thankfully for Lewes, goalkeeper Stuart Robinson was at his best to keep out a glancing header from Jay May following an in swinging free-kick by Sam Berry.

The visitors started the second half well and were unlucky to see a long-range shot from Benson Kpaka go just wide.

Just before the hour mark, the Rooks thought they should have had a penalty when Billericay left-back James Hawes appeared to slice an attempted clearance onto his arm. However, the referee waved play on.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Billericay went close again when Junior Luke sent a shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area just wide of the far post after a good passing move in midfield.

The visitors did pull a goal back with seven minutes remaining, when May looped a header over Robinson after Rob Swaine had headed a free-kick back across goal.

Billericay enjoyed a lot of possession after their goal, but the Rooks were able to see out the closing stages of the game relatively comfortably and secure their second win of the season.

Impressive Lewes performances came from Steve Robinson, Jamie Cade, Michael Malcolm and Nic Ciardini.

Lewes:

Stuart Robinson, Kamara, Robinson, Hustwick, Sterling, Cade (Watson 76), Somner, Adelakun, Ciardini, Malcolm, Booth (Draycott 82).
Unused Subs: Lambu, Pringle, Hamilton.
Booked: Somner.

Billericay Town:

Morgan, Berry, Oates, Swaine, Hawes, Luke (Plummer 80), Kpaka, Edwards, Chatting (Semankula 62), May, Knight (Thomas 77).
Unused Subs: Toms, Avery.
Booked: Swaine, Luke, Kpaka.

Referee: Mr O Jackson  Attendance: 482

Tom Harper