Cup hopes dashed as Lewes go out on penalties

Canterbury, bottom of the National League, have struggled this season and a trip to a lower league side was the last thing they wanted.

In front of a large crowd Lewes played some of their best hockey of the season matching their illustrious opponents for the majority of the match. Lewes were always going to have to absorb a lot of pressure and their defence held firm in the early exchanges. Goalkeeper Josh Pewter was outstanding throughout making numerous saves and with Canterbury being profligate in front of goal in the first half Lewes grew in confidence. They were not helped losing skipper Matt Clark to a hamstring injury after twenty minutes resulting in a reshuffle. Defenders Dave Roberts, Ian Whiting, Tom Stratford and youngster Sam Heinzl tackled and defended bravely and as Canterbury became frustrated,not being able to convert their possession into goals, Lewes broke and from a penalty corner the alert Mike Wood pounced from a rebound off the goalkeeper to give Lewes the lead at halftime.

The pattern of play was similar in the second half with the hosts defence working overtime to quell the Canterbury attacks. James Callaway and James Fuller were forced to play deep protecting their narrow lead as Lewes relied on breakaways from defence and from one of these Chris Spruce released Ben Cooke whose speed took him in on goal but a fine save by the Canterbury goalkeeper thwarted what would have been a crucial second goal. As players tired both sides lost players temporarily to green and yellow cards. As the minutes ticked away, Canterbury utilising their large squad of players, camped in the Lewes half and forced a penalty corner with five minutes remaining. The resultant low flick found its way into the goal to give Canterbury a deserved equaliser on the balance of play. Lewes held out in the final minutes and so the match went straight to penalty flicks where their National league experience saw Canterbury win 4-3 to make it into the last 32.

A good weekend for Lewes winning their first league game of the season and pushing Canterbury all the way. Skipper Matt Clark said " This was a great battling display against a National League team two leagues above us. Everyone will have gained from the experience of this match which I hope we can take forward in the next few weeks in our league matches".

Report by Paul Spruce
Photo credit www.hockeyimages.co.uk