07/1/12 - Rooks 0:1 Wealdstone
Lewes made a disappointing start to 2012 on the road thanks to a 1-0 defeat at Wealdstone.
REPORT PHOTOS
The Rooks struggled to get going and after some early pressure, found themselves a goal down in the 6th minute.
A seemingly innocuous move by Wealdstone down the Lewes left found Scott Fitzgerald and the striker was able to advance unchecked towards goal, launching a crisp shot which eluded the dive of Rikki Banks to put the Stones ahead.
The keeper was on hand minutes later when he made a fantastic double save first from Watford loanee Britt Assombalonga, diving low to his right, and then plucking David Hicks’ shot out from the top corner in a move that had originally begun with a Lewes corner.
The Rooks first foray into the area came courtesy of Nic Ciardini who moved to cross from the left with Chrisitian Nanetti running in but he scooped his lunging volley high over the bar.
Lewes chances were few and far between in the first period though as the midfield struggled to cope with the Stones' advance play.
In the 24th minute, Nanetti's sloppy clearance into danger fell to Connor Smith and the loan signing from Watford had time to say thank you before rifling a shot towards the left corner which Banks scrambled away majestically.
There was no let-up for Lewes with Wes Parker steering his near post header over from a corner and Malvin Kamara being lucky not to concede a penalty for what looked like a push on Assombalonga.
Lewes were careless, needlessly giving the ball away and incensing skipper Steve Robinson who made no bones letting his players know how he felt. The visitors were pleased to reach the half time interval, despite having to face the angry shouts of the home supporters as they left the pitch with Nanetti a particular target after Hicks’ challenge on him lead to a booking moments earlier.
Lewes improved markedly after the break, and were enhanced by a change of formation in the 63rd minute which led to Nanetti and Albert Jarrett being replaced by Paul Booth and Ian Draycott as King sought the equalising goal.
Draycott was in action immediately, running free on goal and forcing Stones keeper Jonathan North to hold his fierce shot.
The Wealdstone defenders' love of booting clearances into the air meant that the ball was aloft far more than the first half as they were kept busier by a more organized Lewes side.
However, it was far from one-way traffic though as Man of the Match Banks pushed away Assombalonga’s shot and then watched as Fitzgerald poked the rebound wide.
On the hour, Draycott headed Harry Harding's free kick over in a crowded penalty area but the striker's wasteful finish minutes later annoyed his teammates when better options seemed to be available.
A cross from Kamara allowed Alex Stavrinou to set up Harry Harding who cleverly stepped through two defenders on the edge of the area, only to see his shot blocked and the move ending after an infringement.
Banks made another essential stop, this time from Kurtney Brooks after his clever run split the defence as the Stones continued to show their teeth.
Lewes were still pressing on in search of a goal with Ciardini seemingly at the centre of much of the danger, but the best chance came at the other end when substitute Peter Dean managed to beat Banks only to see his shot cannon off the far post.
Unused subs: Massey, Poniskaitis
Booked: Fitzgerald, Hicks, Cronin
Unused sub: Hamilton
Booked: Kamara
Ref : C Hatzidakis
James Boyes
REPORT PHOTOS
The Rooks struggled to get going and after some early pressure, found themselves a goal down in the 6th minute.
A seemingly innocuous move by Wealdstone down the Lewes left found Scott Fitzgerald and the striker was able to advance unchecked towards goal, launching a crisp shot which eluded the dive of Rikki Banks to put the Stones ahead.
The keeper was on hand minutes later when he made a fantastic double save first from Watford loanee Britt Assombalonga, diving low to his right, and then plucking David Hicks’ shot out from the top corner in a move that had originally begun with a Lewes corner.
The Rooks first foray into the area came courtesy of Nic Ciardini who moved to cross from the left with Chrisitian Nanetti running in but he scooped his lunging volley high over the bar.
Lewes chances were few and far between in the first period though as the midfield struggled to cope with the Stones' advance play.
In the 24th minute, Nanetti's sloppy clearance into danger fell to Connor Smith and the loan signing from Watford had time to say thank you before rifling a shot towards the left corner which Banks scrambled away majestically.
There was no let-up for Lewes with Wes Parker steering his near post header over from a corner and Malvin Kamara being lucky not to concede a penalty for what looked like a push on Assombalonga.
Lewes were careless, needlessly giving the ball away and incensing skipper Steve Robinson who made no bones letting his players know how he felt. The visitors were pleased to reach the half time interval, despite having to face the angry shouts of the home supporters as they left the pitch with Nanetti a particular target after Hicks’ challenge on him lead to a booking moments earlier.
Lewes improved markedly after the break, and were enhanced by a change of formation in the 63rd minute which led to Nanetti and Albert Jarrett being replaced by Paul Booth and Ian Draycott as King sought the equalising goal.
Draycott was in action immediately, running free on goal and forcing Stones keeper Jonathan North to hold his fierce shot.
The Wealdstone defenders' love of booting clearances into the air meant that the ball was aloft far more than the first half as they were kept busier by a more organized Lewes side.
However, it was far from one-way traffic though as Man of the Match Banks pushed away Assombalonga’s shot and then watched as Fitzgerald poked the rebound wide.
On the hour, Draycott headed Harry Harding's free kick over in a crowded penalty area but the striker's wasteful finish minutes later annoyed his teammates when better options seemed to be available.
A cross from Kamara allowed Alex Stavrinou to set up Harry Harding who cleverly stepped through two defenders on the edge of the area, only to see his shot blocked and the move ending after an infringement.
Banks made another essential stop, this time from Kurtney Brooks after his clever run split the defence as the Stones continued to show their teeth.
Lewes were still pressing on in search of a goal with Ciardini seemingly at the centre of much of the danger, but the best chance came at the other end when substitute Peter Dean managed to beat Banks only to see his shot cannon off the far post.
Wealdstone:
North, Hammond, McCubbin, Parker, Cronin, Brooks, Smith, Hicks (Ahamed 82), Fitzgerald (O’Leary 70), Jolly, Assombalonga (Dean 84)Unused subs: Massey, Poniskaitis
Booked: Fitzgerald, Hicks, Cronin
Lewes:
Banks, Kamara, Ciardini, Somner, Robinson, Hustwick, Stavrinou, Harding, Malcolm, Jarrett (Booth 63), Nanetti (Draycott 63).Unused sub: Hamilton
Booked: Kamara
Ref : C Hatzidakis
James Boyes
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