Lewes Men's 1s move up to second after 5-1 win over Brighton

A hat-trick from Tom Newman fired Lewes to a commanding 5-1 win over Brighton and moved the Southdown outfit up to second in the Kent/Sussex Men’s Division 1 in the process.

Newman kept his cool to slot home twice from the penalty spot before completing his hat-trick with a penalty corner strike late on as Theo Dowse’s side stunned their local rivals on their own patch.

Brighton started brightly with a series of darting attacks and slick movement off the ball causing Lewes’ defence plenty of problems. Despite a quiet start, the men in green remained on terms and from a quick counter attack drew first blood.

Jonny Rea broke free down the left and cut inside in the circle only to be brought down by Brighton goalkeeper Phil Orriss. A penalty stroke and yellow card for the goalkeeper followed and Newman ruthlessly despatched the chance from the spot past the Kicking Back.

Brighton enjoyed plenty of the ball with Lewes content to sit deep and hit the hosts on the break, a tactic which served them well. The hosts forced a series of penalty corners but Jimmy Fuller’s number one running was exemplary and the young striker denied them even a shot at goal from their first three set pieces.

On the stroke of half time, Lewes forced a penalty corner. Ian Whiting stepped up and ripped a superb drag-flick past the man on the post to double his side’s advantage at a crucial moment in the game.

After the break Brighton rallied but Lewes hit them with a flurry of quick goals to put the game beyond the home side’s reach. Matt Hickman notched his 12th goal in five games with a well-taken finish from a penalty corner to make it 3-0 and then Newman added goal number four, again from the penalty spot. The Lewes defender soon capped a fine individual display, slamming home a penalty corner rebound from close range to leave Brighton shell shocked and Lewes guaranteed the points.

There was still time for Brighton to grab a consolation from a late penalty corner, but the points were heading back down the A27 to the Southdown Club.

This weekend is the traditional Lewes bonfire weekend, but Theo Dowse’s side will be aiming to produce fireworks of their own when they host Sutton Valence.

Match Report: Ross Bone