OLD GEORGIANS 4 - LEWES M1s 3

SOUTH PREMIER MENS LEAGUE

OLD GEORGIANS 2ND XI 4 LEWES 1ST XI 3

The battle of second place Georgians against fourth place Lewes in the league went to the hosts in a fast and entertaining game.

Lewes knew they would face a strong team with internationals returning for Georgians first team following the cancellation of the Great Britain Olympic training camp in South Africa, due to the spread of coronavirus. This resulted in some squad players coming down to play for their second team. But it was Lewes who were first out of their blocks with the speed of their forwards causing problems for the home defence. After only five minutes Jonny Rea’s skilful run and cross found Matt Hickman is space and his calm finish put Lewes one up. It got better ten minutes later after a move down the right flank when Hickman scored again with a fierce reverse stick strike.

Georgians then came back into it and following Lewes being reduced to ten players for ten minutes due to a yellow card they capitalised from close range and then equalised after a breakaway. It got worse just before half time as the Lewes defence was under severe pressure and Georgians scored again to make it 3-2.

Lewes got back into the match after half time with Matt Clark orchestrating play from mid-field and James Fuller’s direct running causing problems for the Georgians defence. They got a deserved equaliser with fifteen minutes remaining when back in form centre forward Hickman scored his hat-trick and Lewes’s third. The final minutes were end to end with Lewes’s James Callaway in defence breaking up Georgians attacks and goalkeeper Andrew Isaacs making some instinctive saves. Lewes had chances at the other end but it appeared the game was going to see a sharing of the spoils until in the final minute Georgians moved the ball quickly at the top of the circle and a powerful shot through a group of players saw Isaacs get a stick to it but could not prevent the ball going into the goal for the winner.

This was tough on Lewes who more than matched their illustrious opponents for long periods and deserved at least a point.

The previous week Lewes beat Epsom 3-1 with goals from Alex Lloyd(2) and Daffyd Charles to maintain their top four position in the league.

This Saturday Lewes have their final league game of the season at the Southdown Club when they host Eastbourne in a 3pm start. Lewes need to win to have a chance of clinching third spot and Eastbourne need to win to ensure they avoid possible relegation. It all points to an eventful finish to the season.