Men's football news
A
hardworking team performance saw Lewes finish 2017 with an impressive victory
against a well-organised South Park side at the Pan reports Tom Harper
Darren
Freeman made one change to the side that beat Hastings United on Boxing Day,
with Billy Medlock replacing Jonte Smith in the starting line-up.
Lewes made a
bright start to the game and were ahead after just six minutes, as Ronnie
Conlon latched onto a superb ball from Chris Winterton down the left before
crossing for Billy Medlock to finish from close range.
The Rooks
were seeing most of the ball at this stage, and saw Leon Redwood hit the top of
the bar with a long-range effort after good build-up play in midfield.
Despite
this, South Park should have equalised just over midway through the half, but
saw Luke Elliott miss the target from close range after a James McElligott
cross had found him unmarked in the area.
Lewes
continued to look dangerous going forward themselves, with Gus Sow forcing a
fine save from Callum Thomas in the visitor’s goal after running onto a Conlon
through-ball.
South Park
made the most of this let-off by equalising on the stroke of half-time through
Jack Mazzone, who latched onto a long ball forward before finishing confidently
across Winterton and into the bottom corner to level the scores.
The Rooks
made a bright start to the second half as they looked to regain their lead, with
Steve Brinkhurst sending a half-volley over after South Park were unable to
clear an in-swinging corner from Sow.
The visitors
had a strong wind behind them though, and were unfortunate not to take the lead
minutes later, with Winterton making a fine save to keep out a long-range
effort Tom Windsor effort before bravely keeping out a Kieran Lavery strike on
the rebound.
Jonte Smith
was introduced from the bench with 15 minutes remaining and put Lewes back in
front inside a minute, as he was on hand to convert a low Redwood cross-shot
from close-range at the end of an incisive passing move to send the Rooks fans
into raptures.
Lewes should
have doubled their lead almost immediately through Medlock, who was denied by a
double-save from Thomas after latching onto a Smith flick-on.
South Park
sent plenty of players forward in the closing stages, and launched a number of
long throws into the box in a bid to find a second equaliser.
The Lewes
defence stood firm though, and the Rooks were able to seal the three points
with virtually the final kick of the game, as Sow capped a fine display by
finding the back of the net from the halfway line with Thomas making his way
back to his goal after being sent forward for a series of long throws.
This was an
impressive result for Lewes, who defended well when they had to and took their
chances at crucial times to secure an important three points.
Darren was understandably delighted with the win and the effort that went into getting the game on when he spoke post-match to Barry Collins.
The Rooks
will hope to start 2018 in a positive manner when they travel to Lancing to
take on Horsham on New Year’s Day, kick-off at 3pm.
Lewes: Winterton, Brinkhurst, Redwood, Hammond,
Chappell, Wilson, Lawson (Smith 75), Sow, Medlock (Landais 90), Conlon
(Brotherton 61), Coppola.
Unused Subs: Reed, Hurley.
Booked: Hammond.
South Park: Thomas, McElligott (Senior 86),
Moody, Elliott, Merchant, Gill (O’Sullivan 61), Windsor, Gallagher, Lavery
(Pullin 81), Smith, Mazzone.
Unused Subs: Jackson, Ayling.
Booked: Merchant.
Attendance: 691