Match Report

Hendon
1
Lewes
1
Date:
Saturday 31 August 2013
Competition:
Isthmian League Premier Division
Attendance:
154
Venue:
TBA

Match Report

Hendon, for the second time in six days, conceded a goal five minutes from the end of normal time at Earlsmead. This time the goal was enough to earn Lewes draw on a sunny Saturday afternoon - and there is no doubt that a draw was the right result.

Both James Fisher and Lee O'Leary returned to the Hendon starting line-up, Carl McCluskey and the injured Lee Angol making way. On the bench for the first time was former Northern Ireland international winger Michael Bryan.

After a cagey opening dozen minutes, Hendon had the first opening when Billy Lobjoit set up Jefferson Louis. His powerful drive was on target, but was well save by former Hendon keeper Rikki Banks.

Four minutes later a deep cross from Fraser Logan was met at full stretch by Ade Olorunda. Although only three yards out, the striker could not control his lunge and sent the ball inches over the crossbar.

Junior Morias was causing problems for the Lewes defence and he was twice stopped illegally around the edge of their penalty area. Louis and Lobjoit took the free-kicks but wastefully failed to hit the target.

In the 28th minute Lewes midfielder Jack Dixon spotted an opening about 25 yards from goal. His drive was not the most powerful, but the accuracy was almost 100 percent and Charlie Horlock couldn't reach it.

Unfortunately for Dixon, the ball struck the inside of the post and deflected away from incoming Olorunda and was cleared by Sam Flegg.

The half finished with Lewes beginning to exert control, without troubling Horlock, much in the same way that Hendon had failed to unduly concern Banks in the earlier going.

In the second half, the two midfields saw plenty of possession while the defences pretty much dominated the opposing attacks. Neither team could find the decisive final ball that would unlock the rearguards.

Then, out of nothing midway through the half, Hendon took the lead. Tony Taggart and Lobjoit did well down the left side the resulting cross was beautifully placed and weighted into an unpopulated part of the penalty area.

The ball was knocked to the edge of the penalty area where Jefferson Louis was waiting - for once clear of Jay Lovett and Ben Austin. His first-time shot was perfectly placed beyond Banks's dive just inside the far post.

This was the signal for Lewes to up their game and, eight minutes later, Rooks substitute Matt Crabb found himself in a good position. His shot was just off target and Hendon breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Lewes created a few more half openings, Fisher and Flegg and were in control of the Hendon penalty area and few clear-cut chances presented themselves. And, as Lewes pressed, it allowed Chris Seeby and Taggart to get forward more. Two or three crosses needed only a touch to double the Greens' advantage, but none were forthcoming.

Two or three free-kicks around the Hendon penalty area gave Lewes hope, but their accuracy matched the Greens' first-half futility. However, with five minutes remaining a left-wing cross was flicked neatly just inside the far post by Dixon.

In stoppage time, both teams had chances to snatch a winning goal. A cross from Bryan - who had replaced Lobjoit - was flicked on by Dave Diedhiou and fell for Seeby. With Banks struggling to get into position, Seeby may well have scored with an accurate shot. Instead the ball cleared the bar.

At the other end, Olorunda had a great chance when a cross picked him out. Horlock had come out to deal with the danger at his near post and he had left most of the goal unguarded.

Olorunda followed the coaching manual by directing the ball where the goalkeeper was coming from. Unfortunately for him, he managed to head the ball directly into Horlock's midriff and he was able to complete the save after a minor fumble.

Report by David Ballheimer

Hendon

1
Charlie Horlock
2
Chris Seeby
3
Tony Taggart
4
Sam Flegg
5
James Fisher
6
Kevin Maclaren
7
Dave Diedhiou
8
Lee O'Leary
9
Jefferson Louis
10
Billy Lobjoit
11
Junior Morias
12
Carl McCluskey
13
Isaiah Rankin
14
Jack Bennett
15
Michael Bryan
17
Michael Murray

Match Events

Ross Treleaven replaced Unknown
3''
Matt Crabb replaced Unknown
10''
Ryan Fergany replaced Unknown
11''
65''
Jefferson Louis
84''
Michael Bryan replaced Billy Lobjoit
Jack Dixon
86''
88''
Isaiah Rankin replaced Dave Diedhiou

Lewes

1
Rikki Banks
2
Sam Crabb
3
Sam Gore
4
Jay Lovett
5
Ben Austin
6
Jack Walder
7
Steve Brinkhurst
8
Jack Dixon
9
Ade Olorunda
10
Nathan Crabb
11
Fraser Logan
12
Matt Crabb
14
Nicky Wheeler
15
Ryan Fergany
16
Ross Treleaven
17
Jon Dollery