Lewes 1s rubbed out at Staines

Staines were bottom of the table with only one win all season and the hosts were desperate for three points to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.

They started well encamped in the Staines half and deservedly took the lead after fifteen minutes when Toby Price converted a penalty corner with a low strike into the goal. They continued to dominate with Jonny Rea just unable to convert a cross when well placed in front of goal and then thought they had increased their lead when Matt Rickson's reverse stick strike from another penalty corner bobbled over the goalkeeper and in. But the umpire disallowed the goal because he said the ball was above the backboard when it went over the goal line. Five minutes later Price's fierce penalty corner flick struck a defender on the goal line in his facemask. Although unfortunate for the Staines defender who had to go off, Lewes were denied the penalty stroke that they felt they deserved and were instead awarded another penalty corner which came to nothing.

After these decisions Lewes simply imploded. With ten minutes to half time a cross shot from Staines from the byeline went into the goal off goalkeeper Ben Berrill's pads and Staines could not believe they were level. It got worse minutes later when, after a scramble in the Lewes circle, a shot found its way into the empty goal and just on half time Staines’ second penalty corner was flicked into the corner of the goal to see Lewes 3-1 down at half time.

It was important that Lewes composed themselves in the second half but Staines defended deeply and broke quickly. After ten minutes a quick ball saw a Staines forward free at the top of the circle and Berrill rushed out only to be beaten by a fierce reverse stick strike. Skipper Matt Clark tried to impose himself in midfield and Callum Rudrum had a few skilful runs but Lewes could not find the quality to get back into the match. Staines rubbed salt into the wound with a fifth from close range and Lewes's heads dropped. They grabbed a consolation in the last few minutes when Price converted another penalty corner. They remain tenth but now only two points ahead of the bottom two Ashford and Staines. Their final fixture before Christmas on Saturday is a tough one away at Oxford University.

Report by Paul Spruce