Men's football news
Written by: Joe
Craig Nelson’s Rooks made it three wins from three on Saturday with a 2-1 result over Hashtag United in front of 862 fans at the Dripping Pan.
Matt Warren cancelled out Toby Aromolaran’s early opener with a stunning low drive on 37 minutes.
Eddie Allsopp then made it two goals from two games with a dazzling run through three defenders before finishing in front of a packed Philcox Stand with nine minutes left of the clock.
>> Watch Lewes 2-1 Hashtag highlights here
Fresh from beating Bognor 1-0 in midweek, Lewes returned to the Pan seeking to move top of the Isthmian Premier League table.
But the Rooks found themselves a goal down just eight minutes in when Aromolaran headed home a lofted cross to the far post, with Toby Bull unable to keep the ball out.
It was the first goal Pitts’ men have conceded so far this season and Lewes responded strongly. Warren saw a header fly wide from a corner and Marcus Sablier went close with a long-range effort.
Warren finds the net
But it wouldn’t be long until the hosts were level – and what a goal it was to equalise. Warren collected from Jack Enkh on the left and hit a shot first time from the edge of the penalty area. His effort caught goalkeeper Jack Giddens off guard as it arrowed into the far bottom corner of the net.
Allsopp could have put the Rooks ahead before the break but a smart left-footed free-kick bounced off the stump of the post and away from danger.
The second half started with a ruled-out goal for Hashtag as Sam Higgins was judged to have committed a foul in the build-up, but it highlighted how dangerous the away side were on the counter.
>> Watch Lewes 2-1 Hashtag highlights here
Indeed, Higgins came close on the counter midway through the second half and hit the post with another big chance towards the end.
Meanwhile, substitute Malachi Morris was a fingertip away from scoring at the other end with a delightful low drive from the left.
Allsopp delivers again
But then came Allsopp. He squirmed away from two men on the left touchline to cut in and then sell a dummy to open up space on the left edge of the box. He set himself before firing low into the far corner to send the home supporters behind the goal wild.
Sakariya Hassan had one last chance for the visitors to level the score but his shot flew over the bar, while at the other end Nabeel Ghannam danced past his man but fired wide from a tight angle.
The win means Lewes sit top of the Isthmian Premier League with the only 100% record in tact after three games.
Next up is a trip to Cray on Saturday, before we welcome Whitehawk to the Dripping Pan on Bank Holiday Monday (26 August). Tickets are already on sale for that game.