A hardworking performance was not enough to help a youthful Lewes side pick up a result against Canvey Island, as two second-half goals made it six league games without a win for the Rooks.

Simon Wormull made four changes to the side which had lost against Eastbourne Borough in the Sussex Senior Cup quarter-final three days previously with Charlie Leach, Josh Phillips, Jack Walder and Paul Booth effectively replacing Malvin Kamara, Steve Robinson, Max Hustwick and Max Howell in the starting line-up.

The visitors started well, with Jason Hallett being at the heart of their best moves early on. First, the powerful striker saw a half-volley deflected just over the crossbar, before his knockdown hit Matt Somner and bounced just wide.

Canvey Island were continuing to enjoy the better of the play, and should have taken the lead soon after when Alex Rhodes dragged a shot wide of the far post when clean through on goal.

Despite being on the back-foot for most of the opening 20 minutes, Lewes took the lead after 24 minutes. The goal was scored by Paul Booth, who headed home an accurate Christian Nanetti cross from the left-wing.

This goal should have galvanised the Rooks, but Canvey Island were still doing most of the attacking.

They should have equalised almost immediately, when Banks did well to keep out a Jay Curran header and Bradley Woods-Garness somehow managed to send the rebound from a couple of yards out against the post under pressure from Charlie Leach.

Banks kept Lewes ahead again moments later, denying Curran with a good save at his near post.
The visitors came even closer to equalising not long before half-time, when Banks clawed a header from John Easterford off the line after being beaten to the initial set-piece delivery.

The second half started with Canvey Island on top, and they equalised just six minutes after the break. Rhodes was the scorer, as he sent a low shot from just inside the penalty area across Banks and into the far corner after collecting a pass from Hallett.

Canvey Island continued to enjoy the better of the play, and Banks was once again forced into action to save from Rhodes after Woods-Garness had seen a close-range shot blocked.

It was becoming one-way traffic, with the Lewes defence somehow clearing the ball from inside their own penalty area following a goalmouth scramble, and Hallett sending a shot just wide of the far post.

The introduction of Simon Wormull in place of the tiring but impressive Jack Walder after 66 minutes led to a brief period of Rooks pressure, with Ian Draycott sending a half-volley straight at James Russell in the visitors goal, before Booth curled an effort just wide of the far post.

Despite this, Canvey Island took the lead with 17 minute minutes. Woods-Garness was the scorer, as he chested the ball down and sent an accurate volley from just outside the penalty area into the bottom corner.

This was the least meaningful action of the game, with the Rooks unable to create any opportunities to find an equaliser in the closing stages of the game.

Considering the number of youth-team players in the side, the performance from Lewes on a pitch which became heavier as the game wore on was admirable. Unfortunately, the physical advantage which Canvey Island had eventually proved decisive during the second half.

Impressive Lewes performances came from Rikki Banks, Charlie Leach and Jack Walder.

Lewes:

Banks, Leach, Ciardini, Walder (Wormull 66), Somner, Phillips, Draycott, Harding, Malcolm, Booth (Howell 82), Nanetti.
Unused Subs: Schaaf.
Booked: Ciardini.

Canvey Island:

Russell, Ward, Dumas, King, Alaile, Easterford, Curran (Mason 64), Cumley, Woods-Garness, Hallett (Heale 80), Rhodes (Game 86).
Unused Subs: Sheehan, Gordon.
Booked: Ward, Alaile, Rhodes.

Referee: Mr G Ions