Men's football news
Written by: DanielL
Lewes men beat St Albans City 1-0 in the Isthmian League Premier Division in a narrow, well-fought victory at The Dripping Pan, courtesy of a Danny Bassett penalty.
The third consecutive home win for the Rooks moves them up to 11th in the table, overtaking St Albans in the process.
It was a physically demanding contest with a few stoppages resulting from big tackles, reflected in the 14 minutes of additional time across both halves.
The game started slowly, with both teams showing promise on the counter whilst lacking the cutting edge to score a goal.
The Rooks were dangerous on both wings through Bobby Unwin on the right and Devonte West on the left, creating chances through their 1v1 superiority and delivering good crosses – only for them to be cleared by the defence.
In the 39th minute, Ryan Bernal charged forward to receive a pass but was fouled in the box, resulting in a Lewes penalty.
The spot kick was delivered calmly into the bottom left corner by Danny Bassett, who sent the St Albans goalkeeper the wrong way to net his first goal since returning to the club.
Just after half-time, St Albans had one of their best chances of the game. The ball was crossed in from a corner – a common theme of the second half – and was flicked on by towering number 9, Alex Wall, but sailed just over the bar.
The visitors continued to threaten through sustained pressure with their number 17, Leo Sery, looking dangerous but failing to provide the end product needed to result in a goal.
In the 71st minute, Lewes defender Jack Burchell cleared a header off the line to deny the St Albans forward and keep the clean sheet intact.
Louis Rogers in goal for the Rooks was consistently dominant in his box, claiming crosses or punching them clear; a solid performance for the Isthmian League’s Golden Glove winner for December.
Lewes used counter-attacks to their advantage, with Unwin and West continuing to be direct and generating good chances that were marginally unable to be capitalised upon.
The Rooks were also extremely disciplined off the ball, maintaining shape and working together as a unit to restrict St Albans to half-chances and set-pieces.
The game finished 1-0, continuing the Rooks’ strong form at The Dripping Pan.
Speaking after the game, Lewes men’s manager Craig Nelson said: “I thought the boys showed great resilience today, especially off the back of the performance last week.”
“I think in the second half, [St Albans] were very good, and we knew that they were going to have some foothold in the game, but I feel we defended our box exceptionally well and Louis in particular was exceptional today.
“We’ve been speaking today in particular around resilience, standing up and being counted; and when we’ve shown grit, determination, energy and matched the opposition that has come here, we’ve always made the game tough.
“We have to start there, because we have talent in the ranks that can go and win games of football.”
Lewes: Rogers, Kpakpé, Bernal, Hamstead, Burchell, Christian-Law ©, Allen, Unwin, West, Bassett (Hamouchene 65′), Walker (Muirhead 29′)
Subs not used: Watson, Ovenden
Booked: Christian-Law
St Albans City: Ortelli, James (Bostwick 80′), Page, Dyer, Fyfield © (Sanghrajka 60′), Wall (Mather 61′), Smart, Kone (Petrie 60′), Sery, Grante, Mariappa
Subs not used: Gauthier
Booked: Wall