Men's football news
A second-half equaliser from Liam MacDevitt helped Lewes to an encouraging 1-1 draw at Bostik Premier side Worthing in their fifth friendly of pre-season reports Tom Harper.
Darren Freeman used the game as an opportunity to give several younger players minutes on the pitch against higher level opposition, and also handed starts to two trialists.
Worthing started brightly, with their pace out wide causing the Rooks plenty of problems during the opening stages of the game. It was no surprise when the hosts took the lead after just nine minutes, as Omar Folkes sent a clever looping header with his back to goal from a Kane Wills free-kick over Chris Winterton and just under the bar to give Worthing a lead their early play arguably deserved.
They continued to dominate possession for much of the half, but were unable to trouble Winterton before half-time. Lewes gradually grew into the game as the half progressed and could have equalised just before the break through Harry Reed, who volleyed a Ronnie Conlon cross from the left over the bar from point-blank range at the far post.
After not seeing much possession for much of the first half, the Rooks made a good start to the second and looked capable of stretching the Worthing back four after the introduction of Liam MacDevitt at half-time. A trialist and Lloyd Cotton had already gone close for Lewes before MacDevitt equalised after 58 minutes, as he latched onto an under-hit back-pass and confidently finished past Lucas Covolan in the Worthing goal to level the scores.
There were few chances of note for the remainder of the game, but Lewes were enjoying the majority of possession, with Conlon controlling the game in midfield. Worthing came close to scoring a late winner from a corner, but saw a substitute send a free header straight at Nathan Stroomberg as they looked to regain their lead. The final chance of the game fell to Lewes substitute George Landais, who saw his volley from the edge of the area deflected just wide with virtually the last kick of the game.
The Rooks can take plenty of positives from their second-half performance against a Worthing side who impressed before the break, with several players staking their claim for a place in the starting line-up on the opening day of the league season.
Lewes continue their pre-season campaign against National League South side Eastbourne Borough at the Pan on Saturday, kick-off at 3pm.
Lewes: Winterton, Reed, George, Hammond, Cotton, Hurley, A Trialist, Sow, B Trialist, Bosma, Conlon.
Subs: Stroomberg, Tuck, Gunn, Landais, Kealy, Robinson, Brinkhurst, MacDevitt, Brotherton.
Booked: Reed, Conlon.
Attendance: 348