Wheatsheaf Park Saturday, January 16th, 2010   Conference South Attendance: 407         Staines Town 2-1 Lewes
2009 /10

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STAINES TOWN LEWES 1 Louis Wells 1 Rikki Banks 2 Andre Scarlett 2 Anthony Barness 3 Yabo Mambo (52) 3 Andy Pearson 4 Danny Gordon 4 Chris Breach 5 Michael Kamara (sub 89) 5 Ross Sutton 6 Howard Newton (54) 6 David Wheeler (sub 77) 7 Dean Thomas 7 Joe Keehan (sub 56) 8 Darty Brown 8 Williams Peauroux 9 Leroy Griffiths 9 Dan Royce 10 Tamer Tuna (sub 77) 10 Kane Lewis 11 Ali Chaaban (sub 44) 11 Jean Michel Sigere (28) (sub 68) 12 Alfie Arthur (sub 89) 12 Arron Hopkinson (sub 77) 14 Scott Taylor (sub 77) 14 Jack Walder (sub 56) 15 Mazin Ahmad (sub 44) 15 Ryan Timms 16 Marc Charles-Smith 16 Tim Rivers 17 James King 17 Scott Ramsay (sub 68) After an excellent first-half performance, a disappointing second-half display from Lewes and an inconsistent refereeing display by Mark Pottage saw the Rooks lose their third league game in a row, despite leading at half-time through Jean-Michel Sigere. Lewes manager Steve Ibbitson made two changes to the side that had lost 2-0 at Dover Athletic in their previous game 15 days ago, with Kane Louis and Dan Royce replacing Jack Walder and Steve Brinkhurst in the starting line-up. The Rooks started brightly, with several good passing moves just lacking the finishing touch in and around the penalty area. Despite this positive start, it was Staines who had the first real chance of the game, with Ali Chaaban seeing his close-range shot fumbled by Rikki Banks, before a free-kick by Leroy Griffiths had to be cleared behind by Chris Breach. The hosts should have taken the lead moments later, when Tamer Tuna was put through on goal by Griffiths, only to see his shot well saved by Banks. Lewes were attempting to play good football, but Staines were interrupting their rhythm by regularly committing fouls which should have been punished more severely by the lenient referee. However, the Rooks didn’t let the bully-boy tactics of the hosts affect them, and took the lead after 28 minutes. The goal came courtesy of Sigere, who sent a powerful header past Staines keeper Louis Wells from Dan Royce free-kick, after a particularly cynical foul on David Wheeler by Michael Kamara. This galvanised Lewes, who nearly doubled their lead just minutes later. The chance came after an excellent passing move in midfield, creating space for Royce, who then saw his placed shot well saved by Wells, before Danny Gordon removed the danger for Staines. It was the hosts who finished the half the stronger, though, with Banks forced to save a far-post volley from Tuna, before Howard Newton sent a shot on the turn just wide of the target. Staines started the second half brightly, with Tuna and substitute Mazin Ahmad both seeing shots saved by Banks. However, this was only delaying the inevitable, as the hosts equalised on 52 minutes. The goal was scored by debutant Yabo Mambo, who bundled the ball home after Lewes had failed to clear a corner. Just as the Rooks were coming to terms with surrendering the lead, they conceded a second goal only two minutes later when Newton pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and beat Banks at his near post, after the goalkeeper had saved Tuna’s initial effort. At this stage, the game was beginning to slip away from Lewes, but they stuck to their principles by playing an intricate passing game, whilst avoiding conceding a third goal which would probably have sealed the points for Staines. The last 15 minutes were dominated by the Rooks, and Williams Peauroux was unlucky to see his shot deflected just over the bar following another incisive passing move. Lewes then saw captain Anthony Barness send a left-shoot just wide of the post after another period of pressure from the Rooks. The Rooks then had their best chance of the game courtesy of Arron Hopkinson. However, the young winger, who had replaced the injured Wheeler, dragged hit shot wide when one-on-one with Wells in the hosts’ goal. The last chance of the game fell to the Rooks, who saw substitute Scott Ramsay, making his first appearance since signing on dual registration from Hastings United, send a header straight at Wells following an excellent cross by Peauroux. Although the final result and second half performance was disappointing, the Rooks can take a lot of encouragement from some of the football they played, particularly in the first half, and can perhaps count themselves a little unlucky to have not left Middlesex with a share of the spoils. Referee: Mr Mark Pottage (Holbrook)