Men's football news
Written by: Joe
Josh Williams scored an 89th-minute winner as Lewes FC beat Whitehawk 2-1 on Monday to extend the winning start to the season to five games.
Williams rocketed in a left-footed shot from just inside the box to send a packed Philcox Stand – and more than 40 ex-Lewes players – wild behind the goal.
Earlier, Danny Bassett had cancelled out Chris Whelpdale’s first-half strike with a smart finish after beating the offside trap.
And Toby Bull delivered a sublime save from a free-kick to deny the visitors when the game was still in the balance.
The day began with a celebration of eras past as Terry Parris led a group of ex-Lewes and Whitehawk men’s players onto the pitch. Needless to say, many of them marvelled at how much the Pan has changed – and in many ways, how much it hasn’t! – over the decades.
Lewes headed into the clash having toppled Cray 3-1 on Saturday, but it was Whitehawk who started the brighter. Kai Jennings and Emmanuel Mensah both went close for the visitors – the former sending an open goal over the crossbar after Bull parried a shot into his path.
Moments later and Whitehawk took the lead through former Rook Whelpdale. The forward did what he does best and beat the offside trap before sliding it past Bull and into the net.
That goal kicked Lewes back into life. Marcus Sablier and Eddie Allsopp both had shots blocked, while Shae Hutchinson forced a tidy save from Joshua Strizovic at his near post after breaking free down the left.
Hutchinson was again denied two minutes into the second half as Lewes sensed an equaliser – and it duly came on 49 minutes through Bassett. Sablier was first to a loose ball in Whitehawk’s third and immediately looked to play Bassett through. The forward didn’t need asking twice, as he clipped his effort first-time over Strizovic and into the net.
What followed was a relatively testy period, with neither side threatening much until Bull pulled off a wonder save to deny substitute Mo Shubbar’s free-kick. Sablier, at the other wide, swung at a half-volley only to see the ball dribble wide.
It looked as though the game was heading for a draw, as the two sides traded periods of pressure and also looked to hit on the break. But it was fitting that Bassett – who matched up against centre-back Tarik Moore-Azille all afternoon – had a hand in the winner.
Lewes moved the ball down the left, with Bassett holding it up before distributing out wide to Williams. The winger pushed down the line and into the box, before pulling the ball back and thundering a left-footed strike into the far corner. Cue pandemonium in the stands as Williams celebrated with his team-mates behind the goal.
Six minutes of added time went up but Lewes held their nerve and avoided conceding any big chances bar a corner that evaded everyone to go out for a goal kick.
The result means Lewes now stay top of the Isthmian Premier League with maximum points from 15 games, and three points ahead of Cray and Dartford.
Next up for the Rooks is a trip to Harefield in the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday, before Pitts and co. return to league action on 7 September at Carshalton.
As for home ties, Lewes Women play next at the Dripping Pan on Wednesday against Worthing in the FA WNL Cup, before hosting Watford in a crunch FA Women’s National League South clash (2pm).
You can buy Lewes tickets for both games here!