No Rebel Yell in the Sussex Derby – Lewes Community Football Club

No Rebel Yell in the Sussex Derby


No Rebel Yell in the Sussex Derby

Club news

Two goals in three second-half minutes saw Lewes fall to a 3-1 defeat at home to league leaders Worthing, reports Tom Harper.

Hugo Langton made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Hornchurch in their previous game, with Stacey Freeman, debutant Aaron Cosgrave and the returning Gary Noel replacing Leon Redwood, Harry Reed and Billy Medlock in the starting line-up.

There was also a place on the bench for new signing Jardel Francis-Adeyinka.

The game got off to the worst possible start for Lewes, who lost Gary Noel to injury inside the first two minutes, with Tony Halsey being introduced in his place.

Worthing saw plenty of the ball early on and nearly took the lead through Ollie Pearce, who dragged his effort wide of the far post with only Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke to beat.

The visitors were able to take the lead on 22 minutes, as Connor Hunte cut inside from the right and sent a low left-footed shot from the edge of the area through a crowded penalty area and past Stroomberg-Clarke.

They nearly doubled their lead minutes later, as Pearce was just unable to reach the loose ball in the six-yard box after Stroomberg-Clarke had only been able to parry a Ricky Aguiar effort.

Lewes grew into the game in the closing stages of the half though, with James Hammond seeing a 25-yard free-kick helped round the post by Carl Rushworth in the Worthing goal.

The Rooks were making it difficult for the Worthing defence to clear their lines and levelled the scores four minutes before the break through Dayshonne Golding, who controlled a long throw from Halsey before sending a shot on the turn across Rushworth and into the far corner.

Lewes remained on the front foot during the opening stages of the second half and came close to taking the lead, as Dimitri Hatzimouratis controlled a Golding cross from the left before seeing his effort on the half-volley deflected into the side-netting at the far post.

Worthing made the most of this let-off by regaining their lead on 58 minutes, Aguiar was the scorer, sending a low strike from the edge of the area past Stroomberg-Clarke and into the bottom corner after the Lewes defence had been unable to clear a long ball forward.

The visitors doubled their lead just two minutes later, as Stacey Freeman was unable to cut out a ball down the right and Ollie Pearce crossed for Jasper Pattenden to finish into the roof of the net after seeing his initial effort blocked.

Worthing were in control for much of the remainder of the game, enjoying plenty of possession without really testing Stroomberg-Clarke.

Lewes came close to pulling a goal back in the final ten minutes and ensuring a tense finale for the visitors, with Tom Day sending a far post header from a Hammond corner straight at Rushworth, before testing the goalkeeper with an acrobatic attempt minutes later after Halsey and Hatzimouratis had both seen efforts blocked.

Unfortunately for the home fans, this was the closest the Rooks came to pulling a goal back and they were left to reflect on a three-minute spell just before the hour which ultimately prevented them from picking up at least a point from another encouraging display.

After the game Hugo spoke to Barry Collins.

Highlights from the game can be viewed here, whilst James Boyes’ photos are online here.

The Progcast can be viewed here.

Lewes will hope to return to winning ways when they welcome Brightlingsea Regent to the Pan on Saturday, kick-off at 3pm.

Lewes: Stroomberg-Clarke, Day, Malins, Taylor, Chappell, Freeman, Golding, Hammond  Cosgrave (Francis-Adeyinka 89), Noel (Halsey 4), Hatzimouratis (Medlock 61).
Unused Subs: Conlon, Dome-Bemwin.
Booked: None.

Worthing: Rushworth, Pattenden (Budd 90), Stevens, Barker, Racine, Young, Parsons (Armstrong 80), Aguiar, Hunte (Chalaye 63), Myles-Meekums, Pearce.
Unused Subs: Dawes, Pamment.
Booked: Parsons.

Referee: Barrie Small

Attendance: 732