After an even start Lewes scored first through Alex Baxter following a good break down the right. However, Oxford University seemed more committed and began to gain the upper hand and half way through the first half equalised from a short corner. Lewes were then disrupted by a harsh yellow card to Mike Newman and an injury to Gaston Golstein during which period Oxford scored from a breakaway and had a penalty stroke saved by Josh Pewter. Considering the importance of the match Lewes did not seem up for it and were playing poorly at this stage. Oxford scored twice more from another breakaway following a Lewes midfield error, and a short corner – half time 4-1 to Oxford.
At the very start of the second half Oxford scored from another short corner. Lewes then reduced the deficit through Mike Newman following up at a short corner but the rest of the game was somewhat low key. Overall, despite not being helped by some inconsistent umpiring Lewes had only themselves to blame for their poor first half performance.
Report by Patrick Newman