Men's football news
Written by: Joe
An 89th minute Lewis Finney equaliser wasn’t enough for the Rooks as they lost 3-2 to Potters Bar Town on Saturday after chaos in injury time, reports Lily Perrill.
Finney delivered for the Rooks just when Craig Nelson’s side needed it, before Tolu Ladapo had a shot cleared off the line in stoppage time. Moments later and Potters Bar were celebrating their winner after a scramble in the Lewes box.
Despite the first half being one of few chances, both sides pounced on the opportunity to convert, with Shae Hutchinson tapping in to level the scores after the Rooks went behind through Harvey Steel early in the match.
Much against the run of play and just before half time, Potters Bar were able to retake the lead through Khale Da Costa’s expert finish.
The second half saw only a few clear-cut chances, with all the drama coming in the last ten minutes.
Super sub Finney, who replaced Hutchinson just seven minutes earlier, equalised for the Rooks in the 88th minute. With seven minutes of injury time added, the home crowd picked up the noise for a final push, but it was Joe Re who popped up for the visitors to snatch all three points.
The Rooks went into the match knowing that three points would take them ahead of the visitors in the Isthmian Premier League, up to 10th place. Boss Craig Nelson was seeking a fifth unbeaten game on the bounce, with Lewes having drawn 0-0 away to Cray Valley earlier in the week, but this game certainly wasn’t lacking goals.
Indeed, Harvey Steel put the visitors ahead with a well-taken goal just four minutes into the clash.
Lewes’ response was hampered by a short break of play in the 16th minute as Alfie Allen went down injured, which forced manager Nelson into making an early substitution, replacing the midfielder with Hassan Jalloh.
Hutchinson delivered for the Rooks on 41 minutes, though, when Jalloh squared across goal for a tap-in. However, the half wasn’t over yet as Da Costa curled a magnificent shot past Toby Bull to put the visitors ahead at the break.
A corner midway through the second half fell kindly for Josh Spinks who came so close to equalising for the Rooks as he took on a shot from just outside the box, but it went agonisingly over the crossbar.
The introduction of Ladapo in the 62nd minute made an instant impact for the hosts, with Lewes’ pace of attack increasing and chances coming thicker and faster. Ladapo even had the chance to score with his first touch of the game, but unfortunately a Potters Bar player was there to clear the shot off the line.
Another chance went begging for the Rooks when Izzy Jones showed some good footwork to get around his man before taking a shot, attempting to lob Moore, but the effort was ever so slightly over hit and sailed out for a goal kick.
Then came the second equaliser. A chip over the top fell kindly to the on-running Finney, who flicked the ball past goalkeeper Cian Moore with poise. The goal, on 89 minutes, gave Lewes hope of three points.
Ladapo again went close to scoring a winner in the 92nd minute but his supposed tap in was cleared off the line by a defender, triggering consternation and shock in the stands. It had looked a certain goal.
Moments later and the visitors were celebrating, when Lewes failed to clear a deep corner that pinged off the crossbar and fell to Re.
His finish meant there wasn’t enough time to scrape even a point for the Rooks, who saw their four-game unbeaten run come to an end. The loss alongside other results from the day means Lewes sit 12th in the Isthmian Premier League.
The team travel to second-place Billericay next Saturday.
Lewes FC XI: Bull, Jones, Meeres, Warren, Sablier, Bassett, Antonio, King, Hutchinson, Allen, Spinks
Subs: Kaiser, Jalloh, Finney, Ladapo, Ekpiteta
Words: Lily Perrill