Men's football news
Written by: Joe
A late double from Marcus Sablier secured Lewes a wonderful 3-1 victory over promotion-chasing Dartford at the Dripping Pan on Saturday to make it three wins in a row after an outstanding performance, reports Jayden Broderick.
A flick-on from captain Danny Bassett put the Rooks ahead to round off a resilient first half for the home side. Michael Olarewaju’s goal from a corner levelled the match early in the second half before Sablier drove in a late winner – and then scored again with the last kick of the game to round off a sensational victory.
Lewes came into the match off the back of a fantastic 3-1 win against Dulwich Hamlet in South London, the first time they’ve notched back-to-back victories in the league since the end of August. Promotion-chasing Dartford, meanwhile, came to the Pan looking to go top of the league, coming out late victors last week against Horsham in a battle between second and third.
Lewes made one change from their win against Dulwich, taking out Calvin Ekpiteta for Bobby Unwin for his first start for the Rooks. Dartford also made only one change, with Samir Carruthers in for Louis Dunne.
Dartford created the first opening, with Sam Okoye bombing down the right flank and squaring it to Olly Box, who shot from close range, but Ethan Kaiser was alert to block the attempt.
Box came close again after driving through the Lewes defence and was able to release a shot under pressure, but his attempt was cleverly saved by Toby Bull.
Dartford looked the team happier with the ball going forward in the early stages, yet Craig Nelson’s men were comfortable absorbing the pressure, breaking Dartford’s press and countering quickly. The Rooks first saw the fruits of these efforts in the 13th minute, with Sablier putting Unwin through on goal before seeing his shot blocked.
Sablier would be in the action again in the 17th minute, winning the ball from the Dartford defence before releasing a dropping shot from range that forced Jacob Marsden to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner.
The Rooks forced Dartford into another mistake, with Unwin picking up on a poor pass before driving through the middle of the pitch. However a deflection killed the power of his shot, making it easy for Marsden to collect.
The game swung back and forth, with Bull denying Hayden Bullas from close range after Callum Jones had broken through the Rooks defence. Matt Warren then played through Unwin, who set the ball for the onrushing Jack Meeres for a low driven shot from range, which forced Marsden to get down low and just about parry the ball away.
Lewes’ constant threat on the counter finally paid off in the 28th minute, with Unwin squaring the ball for Warren, who released a shot from within the box at a difficult angle. A deflection off Bassett looped over Marsden to open the scoring – that goal making it four from the last three matches for the Lewes captain.
Lewes nearly got a second soon after in half-hour, with Sablier breaking through the defensive line, rounding the keeper before laying it off for Ollie Starkley, whose attempt was blocked before it landed to Sablier, where Marsden denied him.
Despite pressure from Dartford towards the end of the half, Lewes remained firm, frustrating the away side and stopping them from creating dangerous chances to round off a wonderful opening 45 minutes.
Dartford, though, began the second half strongly and, after Bull had turned a Carruthers cross around for a corner, they equalised from the resulting set piece. The ball bobbled about in the box and fell to Olarewaju, who finished from close range to equalise.
The momentum now swung for Dartford, who threatened again in the 58th minute with a Sam Odadu strike from some way out forcing Bull into a full-stretch save, the goalkeeper pushing the ball out for a corner.
Thanks to a resilient backline, Lewes slowly grew back into the second half, and Bassett almost put the Rooks back in front when receiving a pass from Starkley in the 70th minute, but his shot was blocked.
Yet the home fans weren’t to be denied a chance to celebrate this time, as Lewes went back in front in the 79th minute. Tolu Ladapo got onto the end of a free-kick and played the ball across goal, which Sablier smashed in on the second attempt to put the Rooks back ahead.
It was a goal truly deserving of the gritty and passionate display from Lewes, who proved capable of seeing out Dartford’s siege before Sablier brilliantly brought down a cross-field ball to his feet, went through on goal, and finished cooly to complete a wonderful display from him and the team.
The win sees Lewes stay 13th in the Isthmian Premier League on 48 points. Dartford stay second but defeat means they fail to go top.
Craig Nelson’s men will look for an outstanding fourth consecutive win as they travel to Essex to face Canvey Island on Saturday, before welcoming the visit of Cray Valley Paper Mills at the Pan the week after.
Lewes XI: Bull, Ojemen, Warren, Kaiser (Off 84’), Sablier, Bassett (C) (Off 90+3’), Starkley (Off 90+8’), Meeres, Muirhead, Spinks, Unwin (Off 66’)
Bench: Jones (On 90+8’), Antonio (On 84’), Allsopp, Ladapo (On 66’), Ekpiteta (On 90+3’)
Words: Jayden Broderick