Dogged Defensive Hailsham Display Fails to Dampen Lewes 2s

After a determined yet damp thrashing of St Francis the week before, Lewes 2s once again faced the challenge of poor weather and a dogged defensive display from Hailsham 2s.

Confidence but not complacency was the pregame focus and this showed early on as strong 2s line up fizzed the ball about on the rapid Lewes surface, looking formidable. Fast play from the attack of Joe Rideout, Ben Wood and Seb Daniels created many short corners, one of which Seb Daniels powerfully struck past the static keeper to put Lewes into an early lead.

The team continued to dominate with the defence of Matthew Denham, Guillaume Green, Theo Whiting, Peter Thomas and Jamie Neill hassling and allowing Hailsham no time. Quick passing round the back set up another fast attack which saw the ball fall to Sam Anderson who slammed in a powerful reverse strike through the keeper’s legs. This season Lewes 2s have been the team that doesn’t let up but at 2-0 and cruising, and despite our control, a rare defensive error allowed Hailsham a tap in making it 2-1 at half time.

Stern words from player and coach Peter Thomas at halftime galvanised the men in green as they worked hard, passed quicker and played with more intent epitomised by the midfield of Tom Clinch, Oli Loader, Ali Hancorn and Jamie Cooke. With Hailsham on the back foot, Seb Daniels converted another short corner early on to make it 3-1. In the ascendancy now, a string of further short corners were won and this time Joe Rideout tucked a strike inside the post to make it 4-1 with 15 mins remaining.

All that was left was for Lewes to see out the well-earned victory and they did until the dying embers of the game before a last minute Hailsham short corner hit Jamie Neil on the line and the subsequent penalty stroke was converted past an otherwise flawless Billie Palmer, making the final score 4-2.

Next week the 2s seek revenge against 3s in an all Lewes affair at home at 11:45.

MOM: Peter Thomas.

Match Report: Theo Whiting