Men's football news
Written by: DanielL
A late Alex Kpakpé goal rescued a point for Lewes FC men who fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Canvey Island at The Dripping Pan.
The left back bundled in a 90th-minute equaliser when he reacted quickest to Danny Bassett’s shot rebounding off the crossbar.
Lewes found themselves with plenty of work to do after Duane Ofori-Acheampong netted twice to put the relegation-threatened visitors in front within half an hour.
However, Craig Nelson’s side produced a determined second-half performance to recover the deficit.
Charlie Walker’s stunning strike – twisting his body to perfectly catch a bouncing ball and loop it over Canvey goalkeeper Freddie Norman – brought the Rooks back into the game, before Kpakpé scored his first goal for the club.
Early double
Canvey, who started the day bottom of the Isthmian League Premier Division table, caught the Rooks by surprise when Ofori-Acheampong found space at the far post to tap in a low cross in the 15th minute.
The same player doubled the Essex team’s lead not long after, redirecting a cross from the left past Louis Rogers in the Lewes net.
Stunned by the visitors’ high chance conversion rate, the hosts created more opportunities late in the first half, which had been a rather scrappy affair with seven players receiving yellow cards.
Walker had one particularly good chance to score, but his shot from an acute angle took a minor defensive touch that redirected it beyond the left post.
Another golden opportunity emerged when the referee awarded Lewes a penalty for a handball, although Bassett’s spot kick was saved by Norman, who dived correctly to his right-hand side.
Bassett peppered Norman with more shots, but Canvey’s keeper and defence held firm to take their 2-0 lead into the break.
Lewes made two substitutions at half-time, Beaux Booth replacing Tyler Christian-Law in midfield and new signing Nikolai Krokhin (third picture on right) coming on for Jamie Watson at centre back.
The Rooks continued to drive forwards, especially after Walker’s brilliant half-volley in the 54th minute which reduced the deficit to a single goal.
Walker then had a low, curling free kick well saved by an outstretched Norman, while Taurean Roberts also forced the Canvey keeper into action.
Ultimately, the pressure applied by the Lewes attack generated an equaliser, which delivered a result that kept the Rooks 15th in the table.
The game saw manager Craig Nelson make a few changes to the starting lineup, including the return of Jack Enkh at left back, as well as recently signed loanees Charlie Paye and Jackson King.
Enkh played 69 minutes, having recently recovered from a lengthy injury, and put in a player-of-the-match performance.
“In attack, we created loads of opportunities in the first half,” reflected Nelson, “but you can’t give teams that are fighting to stay in the league any lift, or momentum, to be able to win a game of football.
“The two chances they had put us two goals down, but for me, they were preventable goals.
“Upstairs, at half-time, it was about reminding them of who we are to make sure that when they have an attack, we don’t fold.
“I’ve seen it too often recently, which is why the back line was totally different to the Dartford game with a few new faces.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t start as well as we could have, but I’m really proud of the performance in the second half to get back in the game.
“They kept going until the final whistle. I’m happy with the draw in the end.”
Lewes: Rogers, Enkh (Kpakpé 69′), Watson (Krokhin 46′), Paye, King (Roberts 69′), Christian-Law © (Booth 46′), Allen, Bassett, Unwin, West, Walker
Booked: Watson, Walker, King, Unwin
Subs not used: Bernal
Canvey Island: Norman, O’Neill, Steward (Nkwonta 7′), Yeboah, Finneran ©, Dariri, Ofori-Ancheampong, Paxman (Price 27′), Newson, Hubble, Skarns
Booked: Yeboah, Skarna, Hubble
Subs not used: Bobrovskij, Daniels, Marsden
Attendance: 1133