Club news
Written by: Stuart
Lewes recorded their third consecutive win, as an impressive attacking display saw them return from Essex with three points after a 3-2 win at Bowers & Pitsea, reports tom Harper.
Tony Russell named an unchanged side after the Rooks’ convincing win over Kingstonian in their previous game a week earlier.
Lewes were handed an excellent chance to take the lead early on, as Deon Moore was fouled by Dylan Thistleton in the penalty area.
Joe Taylor took the spot-kick, but saw his attempt saved by Joseph Osaghae in the Bowers goal.
The Rooks remained on the front foot though, and took the lead on 15 minutes through the impressive Moore, who was on hand to convert a cross from the right at the end of an incisive passing move.
Lewes were playing some excellent football, moving the ball quickly and stretching the home defence, but were unable to seriously test Osaghae during the remainder of the first half.
In truth, the best chance in the lead-up to half-time fell to the hosts, who saw former Rook TQ Addy head a Harrison Carnegie cross from the left against the bar.
Bowers made a bright start to the second half and equalised on 50 minutes, a teasing cross from the left evading the Lewes defence and Lewis Carey, leaving Ayman El Mogharbel with a simple tap-in at the far post to level the scores.
Lewes quickly regained their composure and took the lead for a second time just two minutes later, Tyrique Hyde starting a move that ended with him exchanging passes with Taylor before finishing past Osaghae and into the bottom corner.
The second half then followed a similar pattern to the first, as Lewes kept the ball well without really looking like adding to their lead.
This changed on 75 minutes, when another intricate passing move ended with Moore seeing his dangerous cross from the left sliced into the bottom corner of his own goal by Jamal Allen.
Any hopes of a comfortable end to the game for the Rooks were ended with seven minutes remaining, as hesitant defending down the right ended with the ball being worked to Funsho Sinai, whose shot through a crowded penalty area beat Carey to set up a nervy finale for the travelling fans.
Lewes saw out the closing stages comfortably though, recording an impressive win heading into another busy week of fixtures.
The Rooks welcome Horsham to the Pan on Tuesday, kick-off at 7.45pm.
Bowers & Pitsea: Osaghae, Thistleton, Allen, Addy, Papadopoulos, Carnegie (Oluwasemo 73), Gibson, Shelvey (Deslandes 47), Huckle, Mogharbel (Sinai 79), Fernandes.
Unused Sub: Spencer.
Booked: Shelvey.
Lewes: Carey, Renee, Mascoll, Salmon, Champion, Young (Olukoga 57), Pritchard, Hyde, Moore, Gondoh (Murrell-Williamson 66), Taylor.
Unused Subs: Tamplin, Hall, Walker.
Booked: Pritchard.
Attendance: 160 (approximately 40 Rooks fans)