Lewes 4s start the new year with a win
Lewes gained revenge for their defeat at Chichester on the opening day of the season with a comprehensive defeat of the league leaders to reduce the difference to one point between the sides at the top of the league.
Lewes were quicker to the ball from the start after the Christmas break and opened the scoring when Wain was at the far post to convert a loose ball. Lewes doubled the lead when Wain scored his second from close range after a cross from the right. Chichester's youngsters got back into the game after a skilful dribble and shot on the run to make it 2-1 midway through the half but Lewes made it 3-1 just on half time when Paul Spruce deflected in Billy Smart's penalty corner strike.
In the opening 10 minutes of the second half Lewes could not get out of their own half as Chichester applied the pressure but they failed to convert four successive penalty corners as goalkeeper Chris Sharpe and defenders Bill Short, Simon Foster and Mark Tonkin where equal to everything. To rub salt into the wound Lewes's first attack resulted in a penalty corner and Smart's powerful shot extended the hosts lead to 4-1. Lewes were happy to absorb pressure and break quickly and a lovely move involving skipper Rob Heinzl and Adam Stonley down the right wing saw the cross deftly converted by James Coplestone to give Lewes a deserved win.
Report by Paul Spruce