100% effort for Lewes in a close fought match

After a good win at bottom of the table Staines the previous week Lewes had high hopes of continuing this form but Banbury proved a determined and hard side to beat.

You could not have asked for more effort from the hosts - in a tight match they at least deserved to share the spoils - but when you are at the bottom of the table little appears to go for you. The early exchanges saw Lewes defending well against mid table Banbury's attacks. They grew in confidence and forced successive penalty corners which were cleared and then Banbury broke and their quick forward evaded a loose defensive tackle and drove into the circle and converted with a powerful reverse stick strike after twenty minutes. Within five minutes Banbury's lead had doubled as their forwards’ speed exposed Lewes's lack of pace in defence and a clinical break and one two saw a simple chance converted from close range to make it 2-0 at half time.

The next goal was going to be crucial to the outcome of this match and Lewes dominated the majority of possession in the second half with skipper Matt Clark leading from mid-field. They pressurised the Banbury defence and created opportunities with James Fuller and Alex Baxter prominent in attack. Clark was just wide from close range and then Chris Spruce half volleyed into the side netting from close range after a melee in the Banbury circle.

Banbury resorted to some heavy tackles under this pressure and deservedly found themselves down to nine men with two yellow cards - but they defended well in numbers and frustrated the hosts. Successive penalty corners came to nothing for Lewes but just as it appeared they were running out of time a powerful low Alex Lloyd flick from a penalty corner was only half saved by the goalkeeper and an alert Clark converted the rebound from close range with ten minutes left to make it 2-1.

Lewes pushed up trying to earn a draw but it was Banbury who had opportunities to put the match beyond Lewes as they broke but goalkeeper Josh Pewter made successive saves to keep Lewes in the match. A vocal home crowd drove Lewes forward in the final minutes and they forced a penalty corner in overtime but a well worked routine saw Harvey Waller's flick go agonisingly just past the post and an important point eluded Lewes.

Lewes face leaders Old Georgians away on Saturday when they will hope to upset the form book as they will not be expected to get anything from this match before the final four matches of the league season which will dictate the outcome of their season.

Report by Paul Spruce.