Men's football news
Written by: DanielL
Lewes FC men fell to a 6-1 defeat at home to Isthmian League Premier Division high-flyers Aveley on Saturday.
Despite opening the scoring, the Rooks went into half-time a goal behind, before the visitors netted three times in quick succession to put the result beyond doubt.
Lewes were aiming to rebound from a home loss to league leaders Folkestone Invicta the previous weekend, this time going up against the second-placed team.
The home side started brightly when Devonte West emphatically opened the scoring in the 17th minute.
West cut inside from the right wing and released a brilliant curled effort into the top-left corner that sent the Philcox stand wild.
His goal came on the break, immediately after some brave last-ditch defending from Lewes goalkeeper Louis Rogers, who made two saves, and centre back Olly Hamstead who blocked a shot off the line.
However, the Rooks’ lead didn’t last long, as Aveley equalised just five minutes later, Ryan Charles poking in the second rebound from a direct free kick.
Another five minutes and Aveley had the ball in the Lewes net again, this time courtesy of a long ball from keeper Rylee Mitchell that was played on to George Saunders, who manoeuvred around Rogers to slot home.
The Rooks entered half-time eager to level the scores, but the momentum ended up shifting further in Aveley’s direction. The Essex side went four goals clear with a trio of strikes less than 10 minutes into the second half.
The first was a right-footed Ollie Peters hit from outside the area. The next two came from half-time substitute Jesse Nwabueze and Matt Johnson, who capitalised on defensive errors.
With the visitors’ lead extended, the number of chances in the second half diminished, although West – the main threat for the hosts all afternoon – managed to find space to force a save from Mitchell in the 67th minute.
Aveley rounded off their victory by scoring a sixth in stoppage time, courtesy of substitute Toby Aromolaran who had a rebound effort come off the bar just a few minutes prior.
“We went ahead with a fantastic goal from Devonte, who I thought was excellent the whole game, even when the chips were down,” said Lewes men’s first team manager Craig Nelson.
“But we’re making it way too easy for teams to get chances.
“Lapses of concentration and focus are allowing teams to then score.
“Unfortunately, we’re conceding way too many chances, especially at home where, prior to the last two games – in the last three before that – we haven’t conceded at all.”
The match included the debut of new Lewes signing George Nunn at centre forward, and the return of Ansu Janneh from dual registration spells at two National League South clubs.
Both players were part of Nelson’s starting lineup – return to our website tomorrow for more.
Lewes men return to action at Cheshunt, the team immediately below them in the table, on Saturday 21st February.
Lewes: Rogers, Kpakpé, Hamstead, Christian-Law ©, Bernal, Allen (Bassett 53′), Muirhead, Janneh (Abdsami 87’), Roberts, West, Nunn (Edwards 67’)
Booked: Bernal
Subs not used: Walker, Jenkins
Aveley: Mitchell, Critchley (Tinubu 76’), Saunders, Peters (Muldoon 69’), Charles (Nwabueze 46′), Church, Harris Aromolaran 64’), Johnson, Wind, Hubbard (Robinson 55’), Henshaw ©
Booked: Henshaw, Charles
Subs not used: None
Attendance: 620