Mens 1s lose to Bournmouth

They more than matched their hosts throughout and with better quality in front of goal should have won this encounter.

Lewes were always behind but bravely came back three times to level in the second half at 3-3. Scorers were Tom Newman, his first of the season having returned from injury, Toby Price with a trademark penalty corner strike and youngster Callum Rudrum. The problem is Lewes have conceded 29 goals so far this season, the highest in the league, and their defence looks unsure when under pressure and always have problems when teams break quickly at them. They created chances at 3-3 which, if taken, might have given them the confidence to go on and win but not for the first time conceded to go 4-3 down and quickly went 5-3 down in the later stages.

Goalkeeper Ben Berrill saved superbly from a penalty flick but he and the rest of the defence looked uncertain at times and could not cope with the hosts’ attacks. Bournemouth were only one point ahead in the league before this match but are now four points clear and a gap is appearing with the bottom three including Lewes desperate for points.

Lewes face bottom side Staines on Saturday in a crucial match at the Southdown Club at 1.30pm. They will need a victory to help pull them away from the relegation zone.

Report by Paul Spruce