Men's 3s cracking game V Crawley

It was clear from the first minute who Crawley’s main man would be, their holding midfielder picking out a number of excellent early balls that cut the heart of the Lewes defence open, as well as being able to throw an aerial from one end of the pitch to the other. One of these attacks led to a penalty corner which was subsequently converted to give Crawley the lead.

Lewes knew something had to be done to control Crawley’s dominant playmaker, and a slight tactical change to put one of their wingers on him in a man to man marking role worked immediately as he became increasing frustrated and offered much less of a threat. Full credit must go to Oli Amos, Oli Loader, Sam Newman and Saunders who carried out this role with great discipline between them. Lewes were soon level as George Martin converted a penalty corner after a pin point injection from Loader. In the run up to half time things were pretty level, but a lapse in concentration meant Crawley were able to regain the lead just before the break. 2-1 Crawley.

After the break a slight mix up in communications meant Lewes played the first 5 minutes of the half with 10 men, but it mattered little as it was all the men in green in the early stages of the 2nd period. When the error was noticed and Alex Pewter was sent on to play right wing, Lewes were immediately rewarded as an excellent run and pass from the winger picked out Martin in the D who slapped home. 2-2. Soon after Lewes took a deserved lead as Martin slotted home from a tight angle. 3-2. After this Lewes rather switched off and 10 minutes later found themselves 4-3 down after a couple of scrappy goals that they were disappointed to concede. Heading into the last 10 minutes Lewes desperately surged forward in search of a deserved leveller and the pressure finally told as a penalty corner was smashed into the corner of the goal by Martin for his 4th of the day. This was not the end of the drama however, as Lewes were indebted to an excellent save by Billy Palmer right at the death.

A great game of hockey by both teams and a mention must go to Green who slotted in at centre back for the second half and showed excellent maturity in snuffing out most of the danger.

Report by George Martin