Close call sees 10 men Lewes 5s scrape a win

Lewes opened the scoring when Mike Fuller lost his marker at the far post to convert a cross from the right wing but Hailsham equalised from close range midway through the half. Lewes then raised their game and took the lead just on half time when Paul Spruce deflected in a penalty corner strike from skipper Steve Fuller.

Hailsham dominated possession early in the second half but failed to make the most of their opportunities as Lewes defenders Mark Tonkin and Bill Short frequently cleared the ball from dangerous positions in the circle and goalkeeper Chris Sharpe made successive saves. Hailsham finally equalised from a slipped penalty corner routine with a powerful shot into the corner of the goal from the top of the circle with ten minutes remaining. Lewes responded with five minutes remaining when Chris Marchant earnt and skilfully converted a penalty corner but he then had to spend time on the touchline for the second time in the match for his over exuberant goal celebrations. Lewes’s ten men held out for the final minutes.