02/4/09

Lewes under-18s completed a double for the club by lifting the Sussex Youth Cup tonight.

The young Rooks followed the achievements of the Ladies who also lifted the Sussex Cup last month.

Goals from Arron Hopkinson, Tim Rivers and Ross Sutton helped Lewes to a 3-2 win over Eastbourne Borough at Lancing.

The result was more convincing than the scoreline suggests with Lewes on top for most of the game. They started strongly and went ahead after 12 minutes when the excellent Ryan Storrie crossed from the left and Hopkinson arrived at the far post to convert the chance.

It became 2-0 on 32 minutes when Rivers outjumped Eastbourne keeper Adam Sargent to head home.

Borough raised their game at the start of the second half and Wade Eason headed against a post before reducing the deficit on the hour mark, stroking the ball home after goalkeeper Jake Buss palmed a high ball into his path.

The outcome was decided six minutes from time when left-back Sutton intercepted the ball just inside the Borough half and advanced before unleashing a rasping 35-yarder which Sargent completely misjudged.

Eason made it 3-2 in the fourth minute of stoppage time but Lewes were worthy winners.

After the match, joint manager Jason Hopkinson said, “We didn’t do ourselves justice, we didn’t really play. The surface wasn’t great but I’m pleased for the boys."

"There were two or three boys who are due to play on Saturday who we weren’t going to play tonight, but they all wanted to play which made things difficult.”

“It’s their last cup final at U18 and they didn’t want to come off, but I’m chuffed with the boys. They’ve had a good season and they’ve really deserved it.”

“We’ve still got a chance in the league but as long as we keep playing that’s what I’m interested in.”