Lewes Poor Streak Coninues Against Canvey

In the most youthful side Lewes have put out this season a plucky first half lead was not enough to see Simon Wormull gain his first three points as Lewes boss, despite an appearance on the pitch from the manager himself. Lewes did not get the best of preperations coming in to the game with the regular back four; Kamara, Hamilton, Robinson and Hustwick all pulling out of the squad with minor injuries meaning that under 18's Charlie Leach and Josh Phillips had to fill in at the back with midfielder Matt Somner playing at centre back and Nic Ciardini playing left back.

This also allowed further changes to the squad with new signing Jack Walder starting in midfield despite not having played for four months.

From the outset Lewes were looking the weaker side with Canvey island pulling all the strings with Jason Hallet having a powerful volley fly just wide of the goal before a corner found the same man and a fortunate deflection of Matt Somner sent the ball wide again.

Canvey continued to attack the Lewes goal and it looked like they were to take the lead when Alex Rhodes burst through on goal after a defensive error between Charlie Leach and Josh Phillips but the striker somehow managed to, again send the ball wide of Rikki Banks goal with the keeper not having to make a save despite the pressure.

The pressure on Lewes seemed to encourage the youthful side to get into the action a bit and switching talented winger Christian Nanetti over to the left suddenly opened the game up as he beat his man with ease and sent a powerful, yet accurate, ball in to the box slicing through the air straight on to prolific striker Paul Booth's head who sent a perfectly weighted header into the top corner against the run of play.

The goal brought about yet more unwanted pressure on the Lewes goal however and within a minute Canvey should have been level when a simlar ball in as the Lewes goal produced a fantastic diveing header from Jay Curran before Bradley Woods somehow only managed to hit the post from a yard out under a little pressure from the energetic Leach.

Canvey were really starting to make Lewes keeper Rikki Banks work and it was Curran at the forefront again as his hard shot at the near post caught Banks off his guard but he still kept Lewes ahead with a fine reaction stop.  From the resulting a corner Banks had one of his infamous moments and decided to stay on the line rather than plucking the ball out of the air but he more than made up for his mistake when he clawed the goalbound header off the line.

Lewes needed to make some serious changes at the break if they were to hold on to their unlikely lead and yet they were unable to do so resulting in Canvey equalising within six minutes of the restart. Hallett managed to pick out Alex Rhodes on the edge of the box who faked a shot before rounding the flailing Somner and smashing the ball in to the bottom corner across the goal and celebrating with the travelling Canvey fans delighted at the instand come back from the break.

A goalmouth scramble was saved by Banks once again as a shot came in from Hallett and bounced around in the area for some time before Banks eventually managed to pounce on the ball.

With it being clear that the only winners of the game were to be the visitors Lewes fans got some exitment when they saw that new manager Simon Wormull, ex tottenham and many other clubs including being part of the Lewes side which won the conference South in 2008, was warming up ready to come on for Jack walder making his return to the club after signing from local rivals Hastings. 

The managers substitution instantly made an impact as Wormull picked up the ball in his own half with his first touch of the ball sent a glorious through pass playing Paul Booth through on goal, however as he bared down on the Canvey goal he curled his shot round the keeper but to the dissapointment of lewes fans, around the post as well.

Lewes started to get in to the game a bit more and fans were hopeful that they may even be able to nick a win as Ian Draycott spurned a terrific chance, volleying straight at the keeper. However after another scramble in the lewes area, the ball eventually fell to Woods on the outside of the box who chested the ball down and sent a sublime volley past Banks giveing the keeper no chance and sending Canvey well on their way to three points meaning they would have beaten league title runners Lowestoft Town and promotion hopefuls Lewes all in one week, a remarkable acheivment for the previously struggling club.

The game fizzled out after the goal with no chances going wither way despite the undeserved four minutes of injury time. Lewes are hopeful to have at least two of the back four back by the next game at home to Leatherhead this coming saturday however it can be confirmed that Michael Malcolm has joined Albert Jarrett at Bromley, it is not yet known whether a fee was involved and Nic Ciardini has cancelled his contract at the club due to work commitments. Rikki Banks has also been denied permission to extend his loan spell from rivals Eastbourne Borough to lewes and so he returns to his parent club.

Lewes have however signed Wycombe keeper Matt Ingram on loan who will be the seventh keeper Lewes have seen between the sticks this season. Popular defender Chris Breach has also been re signed from local rivals Bognor regis who currently sit top of the Ryman South. Lewes are hoping to sign a striker by next week to replace top scorer Michael malcolm.

Lewes Draw Stalemate With Police

31^st December 2011 – Metropolitan Police V Lewes

Lewes fans set out hoping that the Rooks could give them something extra to celebrate other than just the new year as they set out to Met Police FC, in London somewhere.

If you are wondering 'who on earth are Met Police FC?' then you would fit in nicely at Lewes as talk of the unofficial fans forum was all about this matter. It turns out that in the olden days, only police officers were allowed to play for them but since rising through the leagues, they decided to allow other players to play as well, although we were quickly assured that there are still some police officers in their ranks, until last week they lost their captain who gained himself a 'big' move to full time outfit Farnborough currently residing in the Conference South, one league above.

Lewes had already beaten Met Police twice already this season, early on at home in a scrappy yet effective 1-0 win and the second victory coming in the ryman league cup where Lewes outplayed the Rozzers to win 2-1 to go through to the quarter final. So despite the fact that The Police fill the final play off place, one position below our beloved Rooks Lewes fans could be quietly confident in getting another win, although Lewes fans take nothing for granted.

Lewes manager Steve King made the decision to start top scorer Michael Malcolm after he came on as a substitute to score the winner against Hastings on boxing day the week before, he replaced Ian Draycott in the starting eleven, the only other change being Malvin Kamara received his first league start for a few months in for the suspended Nic Ciardini after the industrious full back had picked up 5 yellow cards in previous games.

Met Police started the game all guns blazing and after ten minutes Police fans were wondering if this was just going to be one of those days as twice Staforde Palmer missed glorious opporunities, the first after a low ball cam across the Lewes box from a lively Craig Brown, seemingly a crowd favourite at Imber Court, Palmer met the ball but sent it wide from close range. His second chance came when Lewis Hamilton tried to switch play but his ball was cut out in the centre of the park allowing Palmer to gain an advantage over Robinson and take a pop at goal, however he could not get enough curl on the shot from the edge of the area to find the top corner.

Lewes continued to come under pressure as they persisted on pumping the ball forward to Malcolm who could have been beaten in the air by the impressive Police centre backs all day long. With play continuing like this, The Police were able to keep coming back at Lewes and it looked like they had finally taken advantage of their dominance when another ball into the box from Brown, beating Hamilton on the right hand side, the ball again founder Palmer but instead this time instead of taking the shot himself he cleverly flicked the ball on for Eddie Smith, however his volley was again sent wide of the mark.

The same Smith just minutes later took a blistering shot from 25 yards which cannoned of the post and thankfully for Banks, who was rooted to the spot, took the ball away from goal and out for a goal kick. This seemed to be the wake up call Lewes desperately needed and as they started to pass the ball around a bit more, they found Nanetti and Jarrett on the wings who were able to run at the Police full backs who seemed incapable of stopping the wide men. Nanetti carved Lewes's first shot on target as he weaved his way between two Police players before having a pop at goal, the type that Lewes fans are used to seeing go blazing over the fence behind the goal, however Nanetti managed to keep this one under control, although the keeper easily pounced onto the ball at the bottom right corner.

The referee was reasonably whistle happy and a Matt Somner foul which he received a yellow card for, meaning he will be suspended some time when the league decides necessary. The free kick nearly cost Lewes dearly as it was taken out quickly to an unmarked Brown who wasted no time in putting a delightful ball across the ground, begging to be given a touch into the net, however the touch eventually came from centre back Duran Reynfolds who to everyone wearing blues despair slid in and put the ball wide again.

After half time Lewes did seem to be more assured in their play however it was still Met Police who nearly took the lead when a shot was taken from outside the area bounced around inside the box only for Smith to send a ball straight towards Banks in the Lewes goal who still did well to pounce down on it to stop it from crossing the line for a Police goal.

As the game wore on Lewes did something which has been unknown this season, they got better as the game went on, as Lewes fans know, we are used to seeing the players do noticeably worse in the second half. However this time was different and maybe is a good sign as the Rooks progress into 2012. The next chance fell to Lewes as Jarrett was fouled on the touchline on the left after he was brought down. Nanetti swung in the free kick which Steve Robinson out jumped him marker to reach but unfortunately sent the ball flying over the bar.

Lewes continued to attack in their best spell of the game, in one of his best games yet Jarrett sent a perfect through ball on to Michael Malcolm who was heading away from goal but noticed the assured Police keeper of his line and tried to chip the ball into the net, however he failed to get enough height on the ball and to the disappointment of Lewes fans it went straight to the keepers hands. Another chance soon after fell Lewes's way again as the ball was sent in to the box again by Jarrett and after Malcolm controlled it down it was played around between him and Harry Harding and the chance eventually coming to Nanetti's feet, however he was unable to get proper contact with the ball and it was easily saved by the keeper.

Moments later Lewes had a penalty shout clearly turned down by the referee after Reynolds stood his ground in the penalty area and didn't allow Jarrett to pass, it could be argued that the defender didn't get any of the ball but a penalty would have been a controversial decision. Lewes midfielder Harry Harding was nearly on target with a lob of his own from 30 yards as he caught the keeper off his line but his chip went over the bar.

Lewes only had two substitutes on the bench in Draycott and Paul Booth, however neither were used which showed towards the end and Met Police brought on two of their own which swung the game back in their favour as Lewes started to look jaded. One of those substitutes made a instant impact as he took a shot from just outside the area which Banks could only parry creating a goalmouth scramble which Lewes eventually managed to clear.

Met Police had their best chance of the game with not long to go as Brown continued to pester Hamilton who was doing well to contain him as much as he did, but this time Brown got the better of him and sent a peach of a ball straight on to the awaiting Smith who was completely unmarked just 5 yards out but managed to send his header over the Lewes goal.

Not to be outdone, Jarrett sent in his own pinpoint cross straight to Michael Malcolm who, it looked like had glanced his header to perfection, heading straight into the bottom corner of Butlers goal only for him to make a stunning reflex save and at full stretch keep the ball out and ensure the points were shared.

Anyway onto the New Year!

Lewes MOTM: Steve Robinson

Banks, Kamara, Hamilton, Somner, Robinson, Hustwick, Stavrinou, Harding, Malcolm, Jarrett, Nanetti.
Unused Subs: Booth, Draycott.
Booked: Kamara, Somner.

Uneventful Afternoon See's Lewes Scrape Past Cray

Booth puts Lewes ahead from the spot

A fairly uneventful game passed on saturday with a Paul Booth penalty being the difference between the sides which saw Lewes leap frog Cray Wanderers into 4th place.

The team was a changed one after the embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Chertsey the week before, however the changes seemed to be mostly injury based. The first change saw new loanee Liam Mitchell placed between the sticks ahead of Stuart Robinson who has reportedly walked out after being dissapointed at a loan keeper being brought in. The next change saw Kamara replaced at right back with Lewis Hamilton, in line for a suspension, playing at right back rather than left.

This change meant that Dwayne Sterling could come back in to the side at left back. The formation was also changed as Lewes went for a 4-3-1-2 formation with Adelakun and another new loanee George Nicholson filling in for the injured Matt Somner and Nic Ciardini meaning that Lewes went with one attacking midfielder in Christian Nanetti and leaving the front two the same.

Cray started the game with intent and it took a while for Lewes to find their feet, within minutes Cray could have taken the lead when a drilled ball across the box from the left bounced through everyone before being smashed over the bar from close range. A similar chance from the other side looked like it was begging for a finish before new keeper Liam Mitchell snathed the ball away from the strikers feet.

With scouts from Brighton again coming to see Nanetti he looked keen to impress as he dinked his way past a couple of players before cutting inside and sending a smashing shot straight at the topcorner which was marvolousy saved. The resulting corner very nearly fell to Steve Robinson but was well blocked before he could get his head on it.

Again Cray started to attack and a mix up between Hamilton and Robinson saw Christian Saunders creep through on goal before wasting the chance and smashing the ball way over the goal unneccisarily from range.

About 15 minutes in and Lewes suddenly found their feet and some clever play by Nanetti saw Michael Malcolm have a brilliant chance from six yards out whoch he somehow managed to get over the bar, not quite as bad as last week at Tooting but still had Lewes fans wondering when it will go in for him.

Lewes continued to attack but their play was broken when Christian Nanetti came under a strong challenge where the player seemed to go over the ball, with Nanetti protesting the player should at least be shown a yellow, the referee only awarded a free kick.

However nanetti got his revenge on the 35th minute when again he was causing trouble on the right hand side before driving in to the box and a quick flick saw him take the ball away from his man who dived in a caught Nanetti which saw the lino flag for a penalty. The Cray players protested furiously as they were unhappy that the referee only gave it because the lino flagged.

Paul Booth stepped up in the absence of Nic Ciardini and proffesionaly put the ball into the top corner of the net with clam and prosision.

Lewes had a magnificant chance of making it 2-0 when a clever free kick from Dwayne Lee found Malcolm comepletly unmarked in the area, however the ball also caught Malcolm asleep and he blazed the ball over the bar with a side footed effort.

Just before half time Cray had put the ball into the back of Lewes's net when Tydone Sterling flicked the ball on with his head only for the lino to dissallow the goal for a marginal offside.

Just inside the second half and Malcolm had his third glorious chance of the afternoon and surely this one would have to go in for him, but once again after being played through on goal he tried lobbing the keeper but got it horribly wrong and the keeper only had to reach out an arm to catch the ball in the air.

The second half was even more uneventful than the first as both teams lost their attacking edge and Cray didn't come up with as much as expected bringing on defenders at one stage. However this all changed when they decided to go to three defenders at the back. Nanetti was at work again, this time in a defensive role as  a volley was sent hard at goal and looked to be going in until Nanaetti made a great block to keeep the ball away from goal. The ball was scrambled around in the Lewes area a few times but never really looked like going in until a mix up in defence saw the ball trickle through the Lewes penalty area, fortunatly the strikers missing it as well until Sterling cleared the ball away.

Draycott also had a shot blocked late on. In the last minute of injury time a debatable free kick was given to Cray just outside the Lewes penalty area, the keeper went forward with the defence as Cray went out and out to try and get an equaliser but the ball hit the wall and Sterling sent Malcolm running at the open goal, however he hesitated and a brilliant tackle denied him the opprtunity allowing Draycott to go for goal from range but by this time the keeper was back in his goal to keep the score at 1-0 to Lewes.

Lewes: Liam Mitchell, Lewis Hamilton, Steve Robinson, Max Hustwick, Dominic Sterling, Dwayne Lee, Hakeem Adelakun, George Nicholas, Christian Nanetti, Michael Malcolm, Paul Booth(Ian Draycott)

Two Switch Magpies for Rooks

After last weeks fiasco at Chertsey which saw Lewes crash out of the FA cup at the first hurdle, Steve King has acted quickly to boost the squad for the game against 2nd place Cray Wanderers with two new signings on loan from league 1 club Notts County.

The players come in the form of goalkeeper Liam Mitchell and midfielder George Nicholas, the players are both 19 years old and have signed 1 year proffesional contracts at the Magpies.

George Nicholas is a tall midfielder who has recently helped make history as he played in Notts Countys 1-1 draw with Juventus to mark the opening oof the new Juventus arena. He is a creative player who will also offer an airial threat with his towering height.

Last season goalkeeper starred for Conference Premier side Tamworth at just 18 years old, he also made it on to the subs bench as Notts County played Sunderland in the FA cup.

Steve King commented “Both players are highly rated by Martin Allen and I am delighted to welcome them to the club. They have come through the youth ranks, and Liam had a successful loan spell with Tamworth last season.”

Early End To Lewes Cup Adeventure

Lewes will have to wait another year before they can have another go at the FA Cup as they fell at the first hurdle to Evo Stick Premier side Chertsey Town on a poor game where Chertsey ran out 4-1 winners against the heavy favourites.

The day started off miserably as the players came out on to the pitch in the drizzling rain, Chertsey in all white with Lewes in a slighlty conflicting colours of blue and white stripes. Chertsey fans were no too confident before kick off "It will be difficult today" was the overall respnonse especially as Chertsey have 3 players from their defence missing either through injury or suspension.

Chertsey had won their last five games and had been scoring for fun with around 4 goals in each game, however they had also been leaking goals like a broken water pipe, somehow managing to be the top scorers and conceded the most so far in the league. Goals were expected in this clash which scouts from at least Reading and one other club were there to see to watch Nanetti who one club noted down "too good for Lewes".

Lewes have scored most of their goals this season by playing a beautiful passing game, however for some reason this was substituted today by an ugly hoof ball system in an attempt to bombard Chertsey with balls over the top, but left Booth and Malcolm playing of scraps and losing interest with the game.

It didn't take long for Chertsey to make Lewes look like fools as from a corner inside ten minutes Phil Page managed to easily get away from returning captain Steve Robinson and power a header in to the net putting Chertsey one ahead. A poor start for the Rooks and one Robinson will be particularly dissapointed with.

It has to be said going a goal down did inspire Lewes to play some football for a bit, especially via Christian Nanetti, under the watchful eyes of football league scouts he managed to dink his way past two players before being hauled down just outside the right hand side of the area in a cynical challenge which was met deservedly with a yellow card. The resulting free kick saw Nanetti send the ball in on to Hustwicks head where he looked like he might get the equaliser so soon after going behind but his header was straight at the keeper who still had to make a good save as he tipped it over the bar for a corner.

The pressure from Lewes took its toll when the corner was played in before taking a little deflection and finding Matt Somner who scored his first goal for the club with a diving header from the penalty spot to draw Lewes level and renew optimism for the Rooks fans.

However Chertsey were far from disheartened by the equaliser and threatened the Lewes goal again with a couple of chances from the right hand side with the impressive Bennet twice carving open Ciardini and Hamilton before one shot was saved by Robinson and the other cross was cleared away by Kamara.

Fans of Chertsey were dmanding Kamara was sent off just a moment later when a crunching tackle was made to look worse than it was due to the slippery conditions but kamara was rightly shown a yellow as he completly missed the ball. The free kick was swung in to the box where it came out and found Bennet on the right hand side free to put in another cross which found its way perfectly for a completly unmarked Page to head in his second of the game, another sloppy goal that the Lewes defence will have to question how he was unmarked. 

Again the goal got Lewes going, however it was a bit much for the Lewes side to have to come back again having already come back from 2-0 down on wednesday night, surely they would not be able to do it again.

Again though Lewes searched for Nanetti who again got round his man and this time drove in to the box where he then came under a challenege from Chertsey defender which looked like a clear penalty as did all supporters behind the goal react like it was one, however yet again the referee decided to deny Lewes a penalty claiming that Nanetti had dived or in the words of one very pleasent Chertsey defender he "dived like a C***!" Charming.

The day really wasn't going Lewes's way and not long after the penalty decision, or non decision, another contraversial moment had gone against Lewes when Hamilton had got infront of Bennet on the ball and was sheilding him away from the ball Bennet then stuck in his leg to try and win the ball back from Hamilton but in doing so caught the leg of Hamilton which was in the air as he was running which caused both players to trip over each others legs, surely a non decision, but one that is usually always given in the defenders favour. However it was not to be for Lewes as the referee decided not to take action uintil he saw the linesman waving frantiacally falgging for a free kick to Chertsey to the amazment of Lewes fans and players and even the odd Cherstey fan who didn't really see where the foul was. 

Despite this it didn't stop the Chertsey fans demanding again that Hamilton get a red card as he was the last man. The referee had no option but the send Hamilton off leaving Lewes hort at the back and meaning Ciardini had to fill in at left back meaning Lewes lost some of their threat up front. The decision will particularly hurt Lewes as the decision of "last man" didn't go their way against hendon in the 2-2 draw a couple of weeks earlier.

The resulting free kcik was eventually taken and was well blocked by Kamara keeping the score at bay and giving Lewes a fighting chance as they went in to half time. After all King himself said that a team becomes "harder to play against at ten men."

Howver this old saying wasn't to come true in this case and all hope was lost not long after the break when another contraversial decision went Chertseys way in a day that Chertsey will probably remember for some time. The influencial Bennet came forward again and easily beat Ciardini filling in at left back before stumbling but managing to smash a shot in from a tight angle which crashed in to the cross bar then off the post, no one thought it had gone in until, this time the other linesman being the guilty prosecuter as he flagged for a Chertsey goal effectivly killing off Lewes's FA Cup dream.

Chertsey again continued to attack but the second half felt more like a formality than an interesting spectacle with each Chertsey attack just being one meaningless trip out to the Lewes penalty area. The age old joke came out again as a delighted young Chertsey supporter pointed out that Lewes should just call themselves "loose". It felt like old times again, and by old times I mean Keehan, Ibbo , O'Shea era putting a doubt over Lewes and whether they are really title contenders or just pretenders.

Chertsey heaped the misery on to Lewes fans just gone the hour mark after Max Hustwick had been replaced by Ian Draycott to leave Lewes with just three at the back and leave Lewes suspect. A ball in to the box from the left hand side fund the outstanding Bennet who beat Ciardini too easily in the air to put the ball past Robinson for the fourth time in the game in an embarrising display by Kings men.

Lewes then through forward too little far too late with a couple of half chances being spurred. One wayward shot by Aaron Watson when he should have done better before Dwayne Lee smashed the ball aqwardly over the bar from a good position just outside the box.

To make matters worse for Lewes Matt Somner had to be replaced by Adelakun due to injury after half time and with Hamilton already out with a suspension after his straight red it could be a difficult few games for the Rooks especially as they now have to play at home to Cray in the league, Cray who are in second place and beat Hastings 3-0 in the cup to ensure they are through to the next round.

There is now a worry going around the Lewes camp that players will have to be released as they board were relying on money coming in from the FA cup for the budget this season, especially when they were planning for 1000 crouds every week and the average has been merly half of that. Better will be expected of the rooks next week.

Lewes: Stuart Robinson, Melvin Kamara, Steve Robinson(C), Max Hustwick(Ian Draycott), Lewis Hamilton (sent off), Christian Nanetti(Aaron Watson), Matt Somner(Hakeem adelakun), Dwayne Lee, Nic Ciardini, Paul Booth, Michael Malcolm

Lewes Fightback Saves Unbeaten Run

Ciardini Hits a Brace

Lewes bravely fought back from 2 goals down on wednesday night at Tooting and Mitcham to raise their unbeaten run to 6 games, they now have not lost since the opening day 3-1 defeat to Lowestoft.

Lewes will come away delighted to have come back from the two goal deficit but also very dissapointing that Malcolm nor Draycott could finish glorious chances towards the end of the game.

The first half was uneventful with neither side really being able to break down the opposition team resulting in the scores being level at half time with neither side being able to break the deadlock. There were a couple of chances for each team, most notably Lewes had to make a scrappy clearance of the line to keep Tooting out. However Lewes had the best chance of the first half and only a world class save from the Tooting keeper kept Nic Ciardini out from scoring after Dwayne Lee pulled the ball across the face of goal.

The second hald proved much more of a specticle and Tooting had the lead on the hour mark after the ball was saved well by Robinson however he had come out well off his line leaving Reece Hall to smash the ball home right into the bottom corner.

Just a couple of minutes later and Hall got his second of the game when a punted ball forward from midfield was mis headed away by captain Kamara meaning Dominic Sterling had to try and deal with the situation but his header only went as far as Hall who swung his body round and hit a peach of a ball on the volley which seemed to fly into the net leaving Robinson standing.

Lewes didn't look as good as they have done in previous games and looked set to lose their unbeaten run.

This all changed when King made the simple decision to put Ciardini over on the right and put Nanetti on the left. The decision proved decisive and Ciardini seemed to burst in to life. First he played a beautiful one two with Booth setting him up with a one on one with the keeper which he calmly slotted home to give Lewes hope.

And just moments later Lewes were level when Dwayne Lee sent Ciardini running before he pulled the trigger from thirty yards where the ball managed to nestle itself into the bottom corner in what was a stunning goal and Ciardini's 3rd in 2 games.

The come back completly destroyed Tootings playing style and after the goals it was all one way traffic and Lewes should have scored at least one more. The first of the glorious chances fell to Ian Draycott freshly brought on for the tired Paul Booth. A nice bit of link up play with Michael malcolm saw a chipped ball sent in to Draycott where all he had to do was get a touch past the keeper. However somehow his horribly struck volley was sent flying out for a throw in on the far side.

With moments to go Lewes were still pushing. Nanetti seemed keen to continue his fine form on from saturday and a flying run saw him creep past the defence and cut inside the box where he drgged a ball back for Malcolm to finish from two yards out but... over the bar, in an exact replica of Robert Earnshaws miss for Wales one week earlier, leaving Lewes to travel home with their second successive 2-2 draw on the road.

Lewes Outplay Aveley

Malcolm rounds of the scoring

Lewes made a few changes to the side that could only draw 2-2 with Hendon on non league day with Hamilton coming in to the side replacing captain Steve Robinson with Sterling filling in the role at centre back and Melvin Kamara taking the arm band for the day. Dwayne Lee was also brought in over Hakeem Adelakun for his experience in the middle and Nanetti was given his home debut ahead over Aaron Watson in a game he won't forget quickly.

The tiny figure of Nanetti lead the way as Lewes were clyinical in the finish to put 4 goals past Aveley sending them in to the play off places on goal difference ahead of Wingate.

A few minutes gone and Lewes had a free kick in a dangerous position from 20 yards out. Nanetti and Michael Malcolm both loomed over the ball and the latter sent a curling free kick looping over the wall and forced a great diving save from the impressive Aveley keeper.

The early pressure paid off and Lewes had the lead just gone the ten minute mark when a dodgy back pass to Stuart Robinson was sent flying down field just missing an Aveley player. However it turned out in Lewes's favour as Booth teared through the middle of the park beating his marker for pace and running in to the box and somehow getting the ball around the goalkeeper who had got down and spread himself well at Booth's feet.

However the game became a lot more open and Aveley were nearly level when they managed to turn Lewis Hamilton, making his first start since injury, and cut inside the Lewes box. The ball was squared neatly to Johnson but he smashed his shot well over the cross bar in a miss that would prove to be costly.

Lewes created a near identical chance to doube their lead when Michael Malcolm was sent running down the left. He managed to turn his defender and make a straight line in to the box from the left hand side where he feinted a shot tricking the defender before floating a perfect ball straight to Nic Ciardini unmarked at the back bost in line with the penalty spot. Ciardini opened his bank with a delightfulk header which was cushened off his head and curled into the top corner avoiding the keeper desperate dive.

Ciardini was clearly hungry for more and was silky to get down the left hand side dinking his was one way and then the other past a defender before driving a shot at goal which was again well kept out down low by Mccartney in the Aveley goal. The resulting corner then saw Max Hustwick have a header saved off the line.

Nanetti was responable for the next chance as he played his way past not one but two defenders before teasing with another just outside the area before cutting inside on to his left foot and sending a fantastic ball into Booth who was waiting free at the back post but mis kicked his volley and the ball scattered away leading to nothing.

To really end the first half on a high Lewes broke away once more leaving the Aveley defence in tatters making it easy for Malcolm to slip Nanetti through on goal where he neatly netsled the ball into the bottom of the net making it 3-0 to Lewes at half time.

Lewes started a bit shaky in the second half and gave Aveley a bit of hope when some lapse defending allowed Stanley to have a close range shot but he somehow managed to drag the shot wide.

However Lewes were soon back in to their stride and Nanetti had decided to return the favour from Malcolm by sending through Malcolm on goal however Malcolm second touch perhaps went a little further because of the increasingly wet pitch and the ball was smothered up by the keeper, it didn't look like it was going to be Malcolms day.

It was Nanetti who was again impressing when a free kick was given in a similar position to the one Malcolm took in the first, this time it was Nanetti who stepped up to take the shot and curled it around the wall where the goalkeeper still managed to get a very important hand on it despite being unsighted by the wall.

Another clear chance was let slip by Lewes when Ciardini sent in a corner which somehow found Dwayne Lee without a marker but he sent his completly free header onto the cross bar but he had the goalkeeper well beaten.

Lewes continued to search for a 4th and it was a wonder as to how they didn't get one when captain kamara came forward down the right hand side and sent a great cross in which found Nanetti who decided to send a volley in first time which was met by a incredible save from the Aveley keeper at his right hand side bottom corner to deny Nanetti a second.

However once again the Lewes defence went to sleep with just a couple of minutes to go allowing Hyde to clip and beautifully weighted ball to Morgan who calmly slotted the ball home on the half volley for nothing more than a consalation goal.

However it wouldn't prove to be much of a consalation as the goal pushed Lewes on to retain their three goal winning margin when Malcol found himself completly hrough on goal and calmly stepped around the keeper and walked the ball in to the net.

Lewes:

Robinson, Kamara, Hustwick, Sterling, Hamilton, Nanetti (March 86), Somner, Lee (Adelakun 76), Ciardini (Watson 72), Malcolm, Booth.
Unused Subs: Draycott, Pringle.
Booked: None.

Aveley:

McCartney, Andrews, Harrison, Ngakam (Russell 27), Wilson, Morgan, Bonnet-Johnson, Hyde, Hewitt (May 53), Stanley (Wharton 67), Remy.
Unused Subs: Warren, Francis.
Booked: Ngakam, Wilson, Russell.

Referee: Mr P Lavelle

Attendance: 601