The Mens 2s traveled the short journey to Brighton on a wet, windy and cold last league game before the Christmas break. A cagey first 10 minutes saw few chances as both teams struggled with the conditions but soon Lewes sprang to life as Seb Daniels found Joe Rideout, who quickly fired right hand corner for his first goal of the game. Brighton weren’t to be deterred though and they promptly dispatched a short corner to make it 1-1. However, five minutes later, after good work from the midfield of Matt Denham, Oli Loader and Tom Clinch, the same Daniels-Rideout combination resulted in Rideout getting his second of the game and taking a 2-1 lead into half time.
Captain Chewy called for calm and patience at half time and the defence of Jamie Neil, Eddie Casselden, Peter Thomas, Sam Rea and Jamie Cook provided a solid foundation for some nice attacking work. One such attack’s down the right saw Drew Wain ghost in at the back post and put Lewes 3-1 with 15 mins left.
Lewes now took compete control of the game and finally, having spurned a hatrick of chances, Daniels added the 4th with a powerful reverse strike in the dying minutes and cemented a sold victory.
A loss from Eastbourne means Lewes deservedly sit second in the league with the second most goals scored (47), joint best defence (only 14 conceded) and best goal difference.
MOM: Joe Rideout
Team: B Palmer, J Neil, E Casselden, J Cook, S Rea, P Thomas, T Clinch, M Denham, O Loader, A Hancorn, S Daniels, J Rideout, O Amos, D Wain.