The force reawakens in Lewes 2s

It’s fair to say that Lewes Mens 2s have had a rough few weeks. To such an extent, that, after last week’s home defeat to Brighton, nobody could bring themselves to write the match report. Or perhaps that was due to the vigour of the post-match festivities, which were of such intensity that certainly this correspondent couldn’t remember much of what happened in the game.

But, on reflection, it was a decent performance against the top of the table side who at times were rattled by Lewes. Not that Lewes’ confidence was sky high for this away game, against a Crowborough team who, despite some heavy losses away, have made their Beacon Ground a fortress.

Ok, that’s rubbish. They’ve mostly lost there too. But not always by heavy margins. Maybe because the pitch is so flipping sandy you wouldn’t be surprised to see a camel or two messing around in the corners. It also doesn’t have penalty spots painted on. Which is weird. Why go to the bother of painting all the lines then decide that the two small spots either end aren’t worth the extra effort? Perhaps the Crowborough committee felt that the copious amount of sand would make it unlikely anyone would ever get in the D and win a flick? If that was the case the committee are fools. In this game there were 2 flicks. And the lack of spots made them both farcical.

A new hope?

The pundits’ pre-match talk was dominated by uncertainty about which Lewes side would turn up at Boro. Would it be the disciplined, skillful and hard-working crew, who don’t score much but are nonetheless well loved by hockey aficionados across Sussex? Would it be the chatty bunch, who seem to enjoy sitting in the dugout after a green card or two, more than their time on the pitch? Or would the 10 or so spectators (plus 2 dogs) that turned out to watch this relegation battle be treated to both?

As it turns out the fans were indeed in for a treat. This was a feisty game. Lewes played some excellent hockey. Both sides occasionally played dross. But it was all entertaining. Even the umpires played their part by keeping everyone guessing what extraordinary decision they’d give next. Don’t get me wrong, decent chaps, who undoubtedly do great work in the community, and a hard job, for little reward. But blimey there were some weird decisions in this game.

The Phantom Menace

After decent early possession, with Blackwell, Clinch and Wain providing good service from midfield, it looked like Lewes were going to cruise to victory. Even an early card for the normally disciplined Wain, and a Boro player who insisted on calling everyone “d*cks”, didn’t rattle Lewes. But, despite some decent attacks from Bentley, Daniels, Devonport, and Pewter Lewes couldn’t quite convert. A couple of short corners were fluffed. And with Boro packing the D it was proving hard to thread the ball through.

But Rae and Anderson were troubling the Boro defence with decent D runs down the left. Thomas and Rideout were picking off the opposition ball and slotting away some peachy passes. Which all paid off when Anderson persisted to slap in a nice close range shot past the Boro keeper for the opener. 1-0 Lewes.

The Umpires Strike Back

Skilful work across the Lewes team looked like it would soon again be rewarded. A slightly dubious penalty flick was awarded their way. Cue red faces in the Crowborough committee room, because this provoked several minutes of intense debate between players and umpires - without a p spot painted on, and in the absence of the officials being sure where it should be, it was pretty much anyone’s guess where it would be taken from. As it was Daniels was forced to take it a couple of yards further back than normal, giving the Boro keeper the meagre satisfaction of saving the flick. I really hope nobody bought him a beer for that.

But Daniels soon redeemed himself, and righted this wrong by neatly tipping in a cross to make it 2-0 at half time. In your face absent penalty spot!

Crowborough slip a rogue one in

Having had to scramble a few saves in the first half, Bullmore was looking forward to a more relaxed second, maybe idling away the time making sandcastles and sunbathing. The 2 goals looked to have winded Boro. But that wasn’t to be. Even when Daniels slotted in Lewes’ third 10 minutes into the half, Boro, to their credit, kept going. Despite Lewes’ defence holding steady, with Cooke playing perhaps his best game of the season, a series of penalty corners seemed to rattle Lewes. And this pressure led to the second penalty flick of the game.

Having placed Daniels’ flick too far back in the first half the umpires thought it might be more fun if Boro were allowed to take their flick closer than normal. Despite some frankly absurd pantomime from the Boro flick taker (“it’s going left”, “Oh no it isn’t!”) Bullmore went the right way but couldn’t get to the ball.

Both neutrals and Boro fans in the ground appreciated these efforts to even things out. And it certainly gave the final 10 minutes of the game more of an edge.

Towards the end of the match, live, in-game betting shortened the odds on Boro scoring a late goal. It looked like it was coming. They pressed hard, and Lewes should stop treating their own 23 as a fun place to practice dribbling skills, but anyone placing that bet lost their money. Lewes pulled themselves together. With both Daniels and Bentley creating decent last gasp chances, and the midfield getting their composure back.

The final whistle went. And a jubilant Lewes waltzed off into the Sussex countryside in buoyant mood with a well-deserved victory. Job done.

MOTM: Jamie Cooke

Team: Bullmore (GK), Cooke, Rideout, Thomas, Rae (S), Blackwell, Clinch, Bentley, Wain, Daniels, Devonport, Pewter, Anderson.

Report by Bully