Lewes men's 2s lose to Beeston at Lee Valley

The game was hotly contested and started at a frantic pace. Lewes conceded the first goal after just 5 minutes when they lost possession on their own 23 and the ball was backhanded across the circle to find a sliding striker who put the ball past Josh Pewter. It would have been easy for heads to go down and fear a Beeston slaughter at this stage but to the credit of the squad they rose to the occasion and played some great pass and move hockey. Pete Thomas linking well with Alex Lickorish who was now dominating the middle of the pitch allowing Seb Daniels and Jo Pillar to feed the forwards.

19 Minutes in and Lewes got their reward when Pete Thomas fired a pass to Will Wycherley who spun and weaved in and out 2 Beeston defenders to win a penalty corner. Lewes scored from the resulting corner when Pete Fuller moved the ball right and Pete Thomas fed the ball back. Fuller then spun and shot which took a deflection into the path of Seb who volleyed the ball past a stranded keeper. It was now game on. Beeston finished the half the stronger and created 2 good opportunities only to be thwarted by either Chris Tonkin, James Heaton or Josh Pewter.

The second half started similar to the first with Beeston stepping high trying to pressure the Lewes defence into making errors. What was becoming more and more apparent was that the difference between the teams would be what the forwards would create. Beeston forwards were starting to cut into the circle and create problems whereas Lewes forwards were being marshalled away from the circle.
Cards were now being shown to both sides by the umpires and Seb Daniels was shown a yellow for a deliberate foot just outside the circle in the 57th minute, also resulting in a penalty corner. Beeston were to make Lewes pay for this and although Pewter saved the first strike, the rebound found its way to a Beeston striker who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Beeston were unlucky to not go 3-1 up just minutes later. The game was now very stretched with Lewes moving the ball well and Fuller causing Beeston errors with aerial balls feeding the strikers. Beeston found themselves down to 10 men with 5 minutes to go and Lewes going full out attack. Lewes very nearly equalised at the death but agonisingly saw the ball go just past the post.

In a last ditch attempt Pewter was replaced by an outfield player but it was not to be and Beeston were the victors.

Coach Chris Marchant said of the team "The boys should be very proud of themselves today. They have found a new level of playing and confidence. They have worked very hard in the last 3 weeks and the improvement has been huge. Today there were some big performances - Josh Pewter in goal, Pete Thomas and Pete Fuller, Andy Green partnering James Heaton and Chris Tonkin at the back.
Alex Lickorish was excellent in the middle of the pitch as was the hard work of the 2 guards Jo Pillar and Seb Daniels. The rotating forwards Will Wycherley, Mark Best, Scott Collier, Olly Tapping, Sam Rea and Michael Wood were excellent and caused many troubles for Beeston. A special mention of thanks should also go to James Moorey who was the unused goalkeeper. I hope that they take away what they have learnt in the last 3 weeks and bring in to next season. If they do they will have much success and maybe another final to look forward to."

Report by Chris Marchant