Men's football news
Written by: Joe
Two quickfire goals saw the Rooks lose all three points from a winning position and drop out of the playoff places on Saturday after losing 3-2 to Chichester City at the Dripping Pan, reports Jayden Broderick.
The visitors quickly went ahead after Jimmy Wild slotted in a penalty in the 10th minute, but a wonderful yet bizarre goal before half time from Eddie Allsopp directly from a corner saw Lewes equalise.
Gianluca Botti then put the Rooks ahead in the 68th minute after capitalising on a Chichester mistake. However, two goals in two minutes from Isaac Bello and Lloyd Rowlatt saw Chichester turn the game on its head.
Lewes went into the match having hit a stride of good performances but wanted to improve on their last outing where they drew 2-2 to Dulwich Hamlet after conceding a last-minute equaliser.
Chichester were looking to end a poor run of form after losing five of their last seven matches, which included a defeat away to Cray Wanderers 1-0 last time out.
Craig Nelson made just one change from midweek, bringing in Michael Elechi for the injured Ben Mundele.
Chichester were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute after a player was brought down within the crowd during a throw-in. Wild’s penalty squeezed in despite Toby Bull guessing right to put City ahead in the 10th minute.
Lewes, struggling to create but enjoying their share of possession, had their first attempt on 22 minutes – a long-range effort from Parish Muirhead that rolled safely into goalkeeper Kieran Magee’s arms.
Muirhead had another chance three minutes later after a blocked Calvin Ekpiteta cross fell kindly to him for the half volley. However, his attempt was deflected for a corner.
Chichester nearly grabbed a second in the 31st minute after miscommunication from the Lewes defence saw Wild able to get the ball from seemingly a harmless City goal kick and get a shot past Bull, only for it to just go wide left of the post.
The Rooks equalised three minutes later after a rare but absolutely outstanding ‘olimpico’ fromAllsopp. His corner had enough venom and pace to pass everyone in the box, flying into the top left corner with Magee unable to get a hand to the ball.
City had a shout for another penalty in the 37th minute after Lewes lost possession close to their own goal. Jerry Puemo put enough pressure on Rowlatt to stop him from having a clear shot at goal, causing the Chichester player to drop down, but the referee rightfully determined that there wasn’t enough contact.
Despite a quiet start from the Rooks, they eventually grew into the game, especially after Allsopp’s goal. The second half began just like the first ended, with Lewes focusing play down through the right and Ekpiteta threatening numerous times with crosses from the flank.
Lewes went ahead in the 68th minute after a weak back pass from Chichester saw the ball land to the last person in the stadium they’d wish to receive it: Botti. Through on goal, a cool finish into the bottom right corner from the striker sparked jubilation at the Pan. The strike now makes it an incredible five goals in the last four matches for the Lewes No 9.
Chichester replied immediately, however, in the 70th minute, with Bello at the right place to tap in a rebound after a City shot crashed off the post.
Matters turned even worse for the Rooks two minutes later when a Joe Clark curling effort from just outside the box parried off Bull, with Rowlatt this time pushing in the rebound from a difficult angle to put Chichester ahead.
With Chichester now ahead after those five minutes of madness, Bull was forced into action again in the 78th minute, saving an emphatic effort from Ethan Pritchard.
Lewes tried to get that elusive equaliser late in the game but couldn’t find an opening.
Defeat means Lewes fall below Chatham Town, Dartford and Wingate & Finchley, out of the playoff places to seventh – outside of the playoff places by goal difference.
Lewes will look to shake off the last two disappointing results and move back into the playoff spots on Saturday when they head to sixth-place Wingate & Finchley.
Lewes FC XI: Bull, Puemo, Elechi, Warren, Sablier, Bassett, Botti, Allsopp, Ekpiteta, Muirhead, Spinks
Subs: Kaiser, Morris, Ladapo, Ghana, Allen
Words: Jayden Broderick