Men's football news
Written by: Joe
Lewes FC Men’s midfielder Alfie Allen says it’s been “a long time coming” for his first goal in red and black after netting the Rooks’ last-gasp FA Trophy equaliser against Ashford United on Saturday.
Allen, 21, made his 15th appearance of the season against Ashford and found the net with a scorching 20-yard effort in the 92nd minute to take the tie to penalties, which Lewes won 8-7.
“It felt very good. A few of my teammates would say it’s been a long time coming,” said Allen afterwards.
“I’ve had a few opportunities in front of goal. I’ve kind of over-thought them, but this one, Nabeel [Ghannam] laid it off very well, and I just thought I had to get my knee over the ball and keep it on the ground.
“Luckily, it went in the bottom corner, and we won on penalties. It was a good feeling.”
Allen was not expecting to play a key role again in the resulting shoot-out but ended up being Lewes’ eighth penalty taker.
‘You’ve got a long walk up to the penalty box’
Again, he found the net with aplomb, sending ex-Chelsea academy goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney the wrong way and setting up Toby Bull’s decisive ninth penalty.
“I wouldn’t say I’m the most confident when I’ve got time to think about it,” said Allen.
“The goal in the game, it just happened within seconds. But with a penalty, you’ve got a long walk up to the penalty box, and then you’ve got to take the penalty. But luckily, that was my second finish in the game, so I’ll take that.”
As has been the case previously this season, goalkeeper Bull received sage advice from the Lewes bench, including head of analysis, Kevin Rawlinson, during the spot kicks.
“There were a few fingers from where we were standing on the halfway line. There was one penalty, unfortunately, where it went in, even though we were pointing the right way,” added Allen.
“But there were a few that we knew where they were going. Luckily, Toby is a good enough goalkeeper to save them.”
Praise for subs
Allen also reserved praise for Lewes substitutes Ghannam and Tolu Ladapo after they changed the game in the final 20 minutes, with both providing assists to level things up at 2-2.
The two wingers have had limited starts this season but are coming into their own of late, and had their moment in the sun against Ashford.
“It’s a big credit to our substitutes,” said Allen. “I know it’s hard for them that they’ve not been getting the game time they want, but the boys have got around them in the changing room and said their time will come. They’ve just got to take their opportunity.
“It was the same against Horsham; Josh [Williams] and Tolu changed the game even though we lost. But the substitutes really pulled through again, so credit to them.”
With the Rooks’ place in the FA Trophy Second Round now secure and manager Craig Nelson back in the dugout this weekend, the aim will now be to kick on in all competitions.
Lewes head to 15th-placed Chatham Town this Saturday in a repeat of the match which so memorably started the 2024/25 season.
As the Rooks’ squad have often said in recent weeks, carrying momentum will be the focus as they head up to the River Medway.
“We’ve always got to take how we finish the game, take the win, and just look forward,” said Allen.
“We’ve had a bit of a tough spell in the league, but I think we’ve got the players to evidently do it. It’s about being consistent, starting from minute one and taking into the league now.”
Words: Will Hugall