Lewes men's 4s climb out of relegation

Lewes won this crucial bottom of the table clash to go up one place and out of the relegation zone and leave Eastbourne routed to the bottom of the table.

Lewes were quicker and more clinical in front of goal throughout. Billy Smart opened the scoring from a penalty corner and Ed Cade doubled the lead also from a penalty corner routine. Lewes made it 3-0 when Paul Spruce touched home a Mike Fuller cross before the hosts got one back from close range. Just on half time Smart stretched the lead to 4-1 with his second.

Lewes started the second half well when skipper Rob Heinzl beat the Eastbourne defence to slip the ball into the goal and with Chris Marchant dominating midfield Lewes were in control. Heinzl grabbed another from close range to make it 6-1 before Marchant's aerial ball released Sam Matthews who slotted past the goalkeeper. Lewes rode their luck as Eastbourne missed chances and goalkeeper Chris Sharpe made successive saves and Chris Picken and Mark Tonkin made some important tackles. With minutes remaining Eastbourne finally scored their second but Lewes responded immediately when Heinzl grabbed his hat-trick and Lewes' eighth when his penalty corner strike went under the goalkeeper and into the goal.