Men's football news
Lewes’s fine away form continued as they romped to a victory at Merstham, reports Stuart Fuller.
Ross Standen and Tony Coade welcomed back James Hammod after suspension from the defeat at the Pan last Saturday against Leatherhead whilst Jordy Mongoy returned to the bench after injury.
The Lewes management wanted a strong response to last week’s defeat and they didn’t have to wait too long before the team made their mark on the game when Dayhsonne Golding forced a good save from the Merstham keeper in the 2nd minute after being put through by Diedrick-Roberts. Two minutes later the Rooks were ahead when Goldings long pass was controlled by Stefan Ilic and as he turned to run past the Merstham full-back, he appeared to be pushed to the ground. Billy Medlock took the spot-kick, scoring his first goal since returning to the Pan in November.
In the fifteenth minute The Rooks doubled their lead when a cross from Tom Day was missed by James Hammond at the near post, which fooled the Merstham keeper and allowed Stefan Ilic to prod home at the far post. The home side got a goal back in the 33rd minute when a low cross was scuffed away by Alex Malins into the path of Merstham’s Omar Folkes and he buried the ball.
Three minutes later the Rooks retained their two-goal lead. Diedrick-Roberts showed determination in keeping the ball in as it looked as if it was going out for a goal-kick but his cross was headed away. Fortunately, it was cleared directly to Dayshonne Golding and his drive could only be parried into the net by the Merstham keeper.
Three minutes into the second half and the game was all but safe for the Rooks thanks to a superb strike from Billy Medlock. The Rooks striker stole the ball off his marker on the edge of the box and from an acute angle smashed the ball home, via the bar and the post.
The Rooks could have had a fifth when Golding cut inside his marker and curled the ball just wide in an almost instant replay of his chance in the last minute of the Leatherhead game.
In the final minute Merstham grabbed a goal back when Jaquart’s shot took a big deflection and wrong-footed Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke but it wasn’t enough to take the gloss off another good Rooks performance on the road.
After the game Ross Standen spoke to Barry Collins about the win.
You can watch full highlights, including that Billy Medlock goal again, here.
You can view James Boyes’s photos from the game here.
The Rooks can now put their feet up and enjoy 10 days rest before they take on Bognor Regis Town at The Pan on Boxing Day, kick off 3pm.
Merstham: Pierson, Mensah, O’Halloran, Mendes-Calucane, Richmond (Gitau-Eneremadu 72mins), Jones (Kersuzan 22mins), Jacquart, Lamont, Folkes, Ayoola, Monga (Splatt 60mins)
Sub not used: Hayles
Booked: Mensah, Jones, Ayoola, Folkes
Lewes: Stroomberg, Day, Redwood, Dome-Bemwin (Yeboah 46mins), Chappell, Malins, Golding, Hammond, Medlock (Onovwigum 72mins), Diedrick-Roberts, Ilic
Subs not used: Mongoy, Dawson, Freeman
Booked: Chappell, Golding
Attendance: 189 (Approx 31 Rooks)