Men's football news
Written by: DanielL
Lewes men were beaten 2-0 at home by Chatham Town who prevailed despite playing most of the match with 10 men.
The visitors’ goalkeeper Nathan Harvey was sent off in the 28th minute for handling the ball outside the box, but the team from Kent overcame their numerical disadvantage to score a pair of unanswered second-half goals.
In soaking wet conditions at The Dripping Pan, both teams had good chances to open the scoring in the period leading up to the red card.
The first good opportunity fell to Bobby Unwin who, on his first start since returning to the Rooks this week, had a low effort saved by Harvey in the third minute.
Jack Burchell then had a free header from a corner tipped over the bar by an outstretched Chatham keeper.
Up the other end, Chatham forward Tope Fadahunsi almost poked the ball in from close range in the eighth minute, but Lewes keeper Louis Rogers bravely put his body in the way.
Rogers then acrobatically palmed away Sam Sene-Richardson’s fierce drive from outside the area on the left-hand side, which was destined for the underside of the bar.
The defining moment of the first half occurred when Ryan Bernal played an excellent long ball through to Walker, and Harvey used his left arm 25 yards from goal in a one-on-one scenario.
After seeing their keeper receive a straight red, Chatham were forced to put substitute centre-back Simon Cooper in between the sticks, due to there being no replacement goalie on the bench.
But despite their opponents being reduced to 10 men, and with an outfield player deputising in goal, Lewes struggled to create shooting opportunities.
That came back to bite the Rooks less than a minute into the second half, when Fadahunsi pounced on the ball and slotted past Rogers to open the scoring.
Clear-cut chances continued to elude Lewes as the match wore on, and Cooper managed to soak up any loose balls or crosses that came his way.
Chatham proceeded to seal the victory in the 89th minute when substitute Ben Allen’s shot from range took a deflection and looped over Rogers into the net.
The result marked the third consecutive defeat for Lewes in the Isthmian League Premier Division, against a side currently ranked sixth in the table.
“Unfortunately, it’s two mistakes that have given them goals,” reflected Rooks manager Craig Nelson. “We should do better in those situations.
“We have struggled in moments of the game to be combative, and it’s not gone our way in those moments.
“Overall, we need to keep our heads down and focus, working on the details and getting it right more often.”
Lewes will look to rebound in their next match away to Essex side Hashtag United on Saturday, 29th November.
Lewes: Rogers, Bernal, Watson © (Morgan 68’), Hamstead, Burchell, Muirhead, Christian-Law (West 68’), Allen (Bennett 83’), Unwin, Taylor-Crossdale (Franzen-Jones 65’), Walker
Booked: Walker
Subs not used: Asiedu
Chatham Town: Harvey, Evans, Giles, Butler © (Nelson 79’), Aidoo, Moynes (Garlinge 62’), Leathers, Anokye-Boadi (Allen 67’), Sene-Richardson (Cooper 29’), Fadahunsi (Olugbodi 76’)
Sent off: Harvey
Booked: Robins, Butler
Attendance: 722