Lewes 3s beat East Grinstead in gritty season opener

Match report: Rich Pulley

So, here we go again. A new league season began with Lewes facing an East Grinstead side relegated from the league above. Lewes started strongly, carving through the heart of the East Grinstead rearguard. Several chances came and went before a penalty corner was fired in by George Martin with the aid of a deflection from a hapless East Grinstead stick. This set back prompted East Grinstead to come into the game and they provided a dazzling display of a tracking intent. Fortunately for Lewes, the thin green line of Lloyd, Picken, Youngman, Dakin and Brown stood like a breakwater before the East Grinstead waves.

Towards the end of the first half, a through ball saw Billy Smart and the East Grinstead keeper collide, the ball ran loose. Charlie Cooke was on hand to delicately roll the ball into the unguarded goal. The second half was a story of repeated East Grinstead offensives being met by the toil, tears, sweat and a fair degree of blood of a Lewes side determined to hold on for three points. And, so it transpired.

Two goals, three points and a clean sheet. The season starts here.

Man of the match: Stan Hughes