20/7/09

Lewes put in a great performance this evening in their first outing of the new season, with a goal-less draw against Eastbourne Borough.

Steve Ibbitson's team featured a number of new faces as well as some more familiar ones, and their solid display was at times superior to that of their Blue Square Premier neighbours.

The Rooks started off well and coped better with the heavy rain than Boro, although the visitors were able to make an impression as half time approached.

Both managers made a number of substitutions during the game, but it was the home side who caught the eye in the second half and the Rooks supporters would have been very pleased with the display which Lewes put in throughout the whole match.

David Wheeler came close with a second half effort that Boro keeper Michael Jordan tipped around the post, but chances were few and far between. The Rooks looked confident and many of the new players who have been drafted in look settled already which should encourage Ibbitson as he continues his preparations for Blue Square South.

Lewes travel to Carshalton on Saturday for their secondly friendly, before entertaining Dulwich Hamlet at the Dripping Pan on Wednesday 29th (ko 7.30pm) and Worthing on Saturday 1 August (k.o 3.30pm)

On a sadder note, an Eastbourne supporter was taken seriously ill outside the ground before the game and needed CPR before paramedics arrived to treat him in the car park. Lewes FC wishes him all the best for a speedy recovery and would like to thank everyone who helped administer first aid before the ambulance was called.

Lewes: Banks; Barness; Fisk; Cullip; Chamberlain; Breach; Wheeler; Schaaf; Crabb; Royce; Walder; Pearoux; Keehan; Timms; Koroma; Beck; Storrie; Foreman; Hall; Bell.