Eastbourne hit for six as Lewes take derby bragging rights

Both sides needed points from this game, with both teams just above the relegation zone. Lewes were however much the brighter side in the first exchanges - quicker to the ball on the slippery Eastbourne pitch, crucially converting their early chances. Hickman skilfully drilled home Lewes' first, after ten minutes. Lewes skipper Spruce then converted two close-range opportunities to make it 3-0 inside twenty minutes. Clark was dominant in Lewes' midfield and defenders Heinzl, Tapping, and Casselden snuffed out any chances for the hosts.

A bit of naivety from Lewes gifted Eastbourne a goal just on half time, after committing too many players from their own penalty corne. When it broke down Eastbourne countered quickly to score a well-taken goal to make it 3-1.

The first goal of the second half was going to be crucial. Lewes withstood ten minutes of pressure. Goalkeeper Isaacs saved well from a penalty corner which, along with some last-ditch defending, maintained the Lewes lead. The visitors then broke and the speed of Rea was too much for the home defence - taken out by the Eastbourne goalkeeper as he went past him. The resultant yellow card and coolly converted penalty stroke by James Callaway made the task for Eastbourne that bit harder. 4-1 Lewes.

Lewes made the extra man pay for the ten minutes of the card with Spruce completing his hat-trick and Lewes’s fifth before Sam Gill put the icing on top with the sixth, after good build-up play, started through a long-ball from keeper Isaacs. Eastbourne’s heads went down and Lewes comfortably played out the remaining minutes.

An encouraging result which leaves Lewes above the relegation zone but still with plenty to play for in the New Year in a tough league having also reached the last 16 of the HA Cup Tier Two competition.