Men's football news
Written by: Stuart
Lewes completed the double over a strong Enfield Town side with a comprehensive 4-1 victory on a rain-soaked afternoon in North London, reports Stuart Fuller.
Rooks boss Tony Russell made two changes from the side that started at Kingstonian on Monday, with Ollie Tanner and Bradley Pritchard both in the XI, replacing Taylor Maloney and Iffy Allen who were on the bench.
The home side were fast out of the traps and Lewis Carey was tested early, saving well from a shot from Lyle Della-Verde but the Rooks soon found their feet with Michael Klass and Razz Coleman De-Graft both stinging the Enfield keeper’s hands, whilst in the 19th minute, a clever flick by Joe Taylor from an Ollie Tanner cross was well saved by Nathan McDonald at his near post.
The opening goal came in the 31st minute after Joe Taylor was wrestled to the ground 25 yards out, having won back possession in a dangerous area. Ollie Tanner took the free-kick which hit the wall and rebounded to Michael Klass whose first attempt was well saved but when it came back to him 6 yards out he bundled the ball home.
The home side almost had an immediate equaliser when top-scorer Mohammed Faal’s effort took a kind deflection and flew just wide of Carey’s far post but they were celebration in the 40th minute when the Rooks failed to clear the ball and a deep cross from the Enfield right was met at the far post by Adam Cunnington who headed it into the corner of the net.
Tom Phipp almost gave the Rooks the lead before half-time with a well struck shot that took a deflection whilst at the other end Della-Verde was adjudged to have handled the ball before he struck the ball into the Lewes net.
The start of the second half saw the rain pour down but the wet conditions suited the Lewes style of play and they held onto the ball well, stretching the home side. In the 60th minute Razz scored an almost carbon-copy of his goal against Bognor Regis Town last Saturday, taking a ball from Jueven Spencer, cutting inside and letting rip with a shot past the despairing Enfield keeper.
The pick of the Lewes goals came in the 66th minute and started from the back. Spencer played the ball down the line to Joe Taylor who held up the play, allowing Bradley Pritchard to overlap. He then played it back to Taylor, drawing two players before setting up Razz. Rather than taking the chance himself he set up Michael Klass who fired the ball across the keeper for his second of the game.
Five minutes later Ollie Tanner went clean through and forced a great save where perhaps he could have squared it for Joe Taylor who was in a better position. However, in the 73rd minute Tanner slipped the ball through to the Rooks top scorer and as the keeper came out, Joe dinked the ball over him and into the net for the Lewes fourth.
It could have been more – the Enfield back line and keeper all deserve credit for laying their collective bodies on the line and it was with some surprise that they gave their Man of the Match to centre-forward Cunnington.
Make no mistake, this was as an impressive win as the score line suggested against a strong Enfield side who have one of the best home records in the league.
After three of the last four games on the road, the Rooks can look forward to three consecutive games back at The Dripping Pan, starting next Saturday when Merstham are the visitors.
Enfield Town: McDonald, Kiangebeni, Kirwan, Thomas (Gyebi 70 mins), Joseph, Bray, Taaffe (Coker 62 mins), Youngs, Cunnington, Faal, Della-Verde (Dome-Bemwin 73 mins)
Subs not used: Smith, Cook
Booked: Kiangebenim Bray, Thomas
Lewes: Carey, Spencer (Allen 90 mins), Carlse, Salmon, Nelson, Klass, Phipp, Pritchard, Tanner, Coleman De-Graft, Taylor
Subs not used: Colombie, Wearie, Maloney, Dalling
Booked: None
Attendance: 501 (approximately 40 Rooks)