retired_bbcarr

at least the story's excellent despite the results bring just a little bit useless

retired_brinker317

Cheers Terk, it's not been great so far results wise

Gavin Holligan has picked up a bruised rib - and with the FA Cup game against Yate on Saturday - and a rejection from Kyle Wilson - has combined to give us little option. Gavin has agreed to take a course of painkilling injections to enable him to play against Yate, and we'll be going ahead with that this week.

To put simply, Saturday's game is a must win. Things need to improve, and where better to start that than in the FA Cup?

Yate Town v Lewes - FA Cup Third Qualifying Round (8/10/05)

Lewes; 5-4-1; Wilkerson, Hankin, Legge, Hinshelwood, Robinson, Coulson, Kennett*, Beckford, Taylor, Zadkovich, Holligan

Subs; Hustwick, Tanner (GK), Johanssen, Barker, Sigire

Hooper, Zadkovich and Taylor back - Johanssen and Barker on the bench, with Coulson left out altogether. The result? - well, we didn't lose. It was hardly inspiring stuff, and with just a handful of chances for either side, but a draw means that we'll bring Yate back to The Dripping Pan for a midweek replay which should, hopefuly, be well attended - boosting the coffers slightly. This one though? - Nothing to write home about. We did little wrong - or right.

Yate 0 - Lewes 0

Attendance; 984
MOM; Paul Wilkerson (Lewes)

retired_brinker317

Things are coming to a head - and I've decided to change things around. We simply cannot go on like this - if we do, we'll be relegated, and I'll be out of a job. It's back to a more rounded, 4-4-2 based formation - A flat back four, with Kenno sitting between defence and midfield, then three across the middle, and twin strikers. If this fails, then we will know two things - firstly, that we'll be out of the FA Cup. And secondly? - there will be a third formation in as many games for the next League game - and that wil be a simple - Keep It Simple, Stupid - 4-4-2 formation that should hopefully work to our strengths.

Unfortunatley, we'll have to do without Gavin Holligan - after playing through the pain on Saturday, there's no chance he'll be fit for the replay, although Physio Fox reckons the weekend is a realistic target.

Lewes v Yate Town - FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Replay (12/10/05)

Lewes; 4-1-3-2; Wilkerson, Hankin, Legge, Robinson, Hooper, Kennett*, Johanssen, Taylor, Zadkovich, Sigire, Harkin

Subs; Hinshelwood, Tanner (GK), Coulson, Beckford, Barker

There's the changes then - Mo Harkin in for Holligan, with Hinshelwood, Coulson and Beckford all demoted to the bench. In their place, Martin Johanssen, Jean-Michel Sigire and the aformentioned Harkin. We began well, and quickly established ourselves on the game - Sigire and Harkin missing early chances. The rot set in after about 20 minutes - Wilkerson forced to watch a Pritchard header fly over, before he brilliantly turned a French cross behind. Possibly our best chance of the first half came right at the end of it - Zadkovich linking up well to feed Sigire, who then blazed over with the goal at his mercy. While Barker made his enterance for Taylor at half time, Yate still had opportunities to open the scoring - but on 67, for the first time since the Dartford game, we scored the first goal of the match - Rueben Zadkovich heading home Mo Harkin's run and cross after a well-timed run into the box. Before a succession of time wasting (by us) Substitutions, and a 4 minute period of injury time that appeared from nowhere, much to the derision of our supporters, we did have to endure a short spell of pressure from the visitors, who definatley look a class above their level - Phillips not far away on 83 - but this time, we did hold on, earning a fine victory. 90 minutes away from the First Round now!

Lewes 1 - Yate 0

Attendance; 484
MOM; Ruben Zadkovich (Lewes)

retired_brinker317

While we did improve, between myself, Stuart Cash and the Player's Committee - skipper Paul Kennett , Senior (Semi)-Pro Dean Hooper and Sean Hankin , who represents the younger players, we've decided that we do still need to make that change to 4-4-2. Our League position worries me immensely, and while it's all well and good that we are enjoying a Cup Run which boosts everyone at the club, we simply cannot afford to be in 20th come the end of April. If we are, we'll be fortunate that due to Conference reorganisation, we won't be going down - but I'm not sure that my contract will be reknewed either.

Meanwhile, we've added £5000 in prize money to the coffers - and Monday's draw pitted the winners of our clash with a visit from Northwood , who came past Oxford City after a replay in the previous round. Wednesday's Internationals saw success for England , who have become the only one of the Home Nations to reach Germany 2006 - Jermaine Defoe and Frank Lampard scoring in a 2-0 win. Ireland ended their unsuccessful campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Switzerland - Steven Elliott scoring, while Scotland went down 3-1 to Slovenia , with Gary Caldwell scoring his first International goal. Wales beat Azerbijan 2-1, with goals from John Hartson and Mark Delaney , while Aaron Hughes was on target for Northern Ireland in a creditable 1-1 draw with Austria .

Lewes v Havant & Waterlooville - Conference South Game 9 (15/10/05)

Lewes; 4-4-2; Wilkerson, Hustwick, Coulson, Hankin, Legge, Hooper, Johanssen, Kennett*, Zadkovich, Sigire, Harkin

Subs; Hinshelwood, Tanner (GK), Coulson, Beckford, Barker

So it's a flat 4-4-2 - hopefully we'll be able to break and get balls into the box. Holligan's still not 100%, so we've gone with Mo Harkin up front once again. One thing that became immediatley apparent was the time it took for the visitors to get into the game - instead of chances galore within the opening minutes, the first effort wasn't registered till 18 minutes in when David Town blasted over the top. Dean Hooper's ill-timed challenge led to his second booking on 32, and reduced us to 10 men - negating any chance of seeing how this tactic really works. It got worse when Rocky Baptiste headed home on the stroke of half time. Performances though had been generally positive, but with 10 men on the field it was always going to be tough. Barker's inclusion after the break helped matters, and Karl Beckford, also on as a sub for Johanssen, was twice close, and on another day, could have won the game for us. The potential is there - but without Holligan, and with some tiring legs after playing in midweek, it's another defeat.

Lewes 0 - Havant & Waterlooville 1

Attendance; 322
MOM; Sam Pearce (Havant & Waterlooville)

retired_brinker317

To add to Dean Hooper's one match ban, we'll also have to do without Leon Legge for up to a fortnight - the big defender picked up a bruised jaw after an errant elbow in an aerial challenge. It certainly wasn't deliberate, but, nevertheless it is a blow.

Monday's FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round draw sees us drawn to meet Conference North outfit Alfreton Town . Alfreton are currently flying, and lie 2nd in the Northern Section - a match which will be tough, then.

Gavin Holligan's return was confirmed on Tuesday - the ex-Wycombe man will certainly be a boost to our threadbare squad, and it's little suprise that he is our top scorer this season, albeit with just the four goals. That squad could soon become a little more threadbare too - top earner Jay Lovett has hardly been a regular this season, but Boston United have seen enough to think he warrants an approach. Unfortunatley for us, they aren't offering any cash - but the opportunity to get Jay's £400-a-week off the wage bill is one that I won't be passing up. Should Jay reach agreement over personal terms, he'll link up with former Rook Owen Price - who has bagged four since his £5000 switch - at York Street.

Lewes v Northwood - FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round (22/10/05)

Lewes; 4-4-2; Wilkerson, Robinson, Coulson, Hankin, Hinshelwood, Taylor, Zadkovich, Kennett*, Johanssen, Sigire, Holligan

Subs; Hustwick, Tanner (GK), Beckford, Harkin, Barker

Three changes then, with Chris Taylor replacing the banned Hooper, Hinshelwood in for the injured Legge and, at right back, Robinson returning for the out of form Hustwick. What did impress me was the pace that we began with - playing sharp, passing football that brought appreciative cheers from the success-starved (this season at least) - Lewes support. The busy Zadkovich headed over on 5 before coming even closer on 17 - Honeyball hooking his placed effort off the line. We had further chances before, on 37, disaster struck - Paul Hinshelwood pulled back Hart, and the striker placed the ball for a penalty. Wilkerson did well, blocking with his body before getting up to see the rebound fly wide. Five minutes later, Hinshelwood made up for his foul with a strong challenge on the same player, but this time, it was just too late - Hart gathered the loose ball, ran through a weak Kennett challenge, and slotted past Wilkerson at the near post. On the stroke of half time, referee Andy Penn became a strong candidate for use as a bonfire effigy in a couple of week's time - awarding a second penalty for a foul on Hart, this time by Robinson. The foul wasn't in question, but to most, it looked outside the area. Kevin Jones stepped up - and promptly put the ball into the car park, bringing cheers of delight from the Lewes support. After the break things started slowly, and things became increasingly desperate. The addition of Barker roused the crowd, and after a false dawn when Sigire was inches away from his cross, we then earnt a free kick deep into injury time. Hankin chipped on, Karl Beckford met it with a glancing header - and Lewes earnt a replay. It was hardly showstopping stuff, and we're not there yet, but now we really are 90 minutes away from either a Cup Exit or a place in the First Round proper.

Lewes 1 - Northwood 1

Attendance; 395
MOM; Neil Hart (Northwood)

retired_brinker317

With a bit of spare cash in the wage budget, I've decided that strengthening is a must - and Steve Mackay , a Scottish winger who's been playing in Iceland, is our main target. He's 24, and had been playing for Ross County before his Scandanavian sojurn, where he did very well, but became slightly homesick towards the end, and fell out of favour. We could also do with a striker, but a left sided wideman has become priority number one since the shift to 4-4-2.

Sunday morning's perusal of the Non-League Paper, however, with news that Exeter City striker Jake Edwards has gone on the Transfer List at St James' Park. Jake is well known in the Non-League scene, and probably is best remembered for bagging 20 goals in 60 games at Telford. He's also played in his native USA, but seems keen to stay in England. At 29, he would also add a bit of experience. It looks unlikely that any deal would be completed by Wednesday - even with us matching the Grecians £1000 valuation - but news that Jean-Michel Sigire could be out all week after suffering from food poisoning certainly puts a dampener on the buildup to that FA Cup replay.

Although we are not assured of progression, Monday's FA Cup First Round draw was still eagerly awaited - and it's a big one. Should we go through, it'll be Gillingham back at the Dripping Pan. Gillingham, relegated from The Championship last season, are sixth in League One, and will bring plenty for the short trip from Kent, no doubt. Meanwhile, Jay Lovett has agreed terms with Boston United , who'll have to wait until January for the versatile defender to arrive on his free transfer.

Someone who'll arrive a lot before then is Steve Mackay - tying up personal terms on Tuesday morning, to become a Rooks player until the summer of 2007, at least. He'll go straight into training ahead of the trip to Northwood, and should be involved.

Northwood v Lewes - FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round Replay (22/10/05)

Lewes; 4-4-2; Wilkerson, Robinson, Coulson, Hankin, Legge, Mackay, Zadkovich, Kennett*, Johanssen, Harkin, Holligan

Subs; Hinshelwood, Tanner (GK), Taylor, Beckford, Barker

While Ruben Zadkovich is struggling a little on the fitness front, we're gambling on the Aussie to play for at least the first half. Leon Legge's return however, coupled with a debut for Mackay means there will be changes. Sigire is still confined to the bathroom, so Harkin comes in up front, whilst Taylor makes way for the new Scot. Despite getting off to a slow start, our first chance was a good one - and, better still, we siezed it with open arms. A long ball from Legge found Mackay, who crossed to the near post. Holligan, rather inexplicably - although he is lacking confidence at the moment - tried to hold the ball up on the edge of the six-yard box, but in a tussle, was robbed by Nolan - only for Mo Harkin to slam the loose ball into the net. It was 9 minutes later, on 24, when Northwood equalised - in the worst of circumstances. Steve Mackay picked up the ball and ran at the home sides' defence, but was forced back. With little option, he decided a 30-yard backpass to 'keeper Wilkerson was in order. It wasn't - Mike Hart nipped in, robbed Wilkerson and planted the ball in the unguarded net from 30 yards out. After a quiet ending to the first half, Zadkovich did make way at the interval, replaced by Barker. We came close through Johanssen before entering headless chicken mode and very nearly conceding to Roy Coleman, who screwed his shot wide. Then it came - seemingly out of nothing, Sean Hankin playing a long ball forward for Gavin Holligan . He cleverly nodded the ball wide to Harkin, who pushed the ball into the box for the striker to net his 5th of the season. We did then begin to look quite sharp, with young Robinson close from distance - but early in injury time, it was - again - panic stations in the defence. Fortunatley, this time it worked out ok - and although Townsend did put the ball in the net, referee Eddie Evans became an immediate Lewes hero by ruling the 'goal' out for a push. We've done it!

Northwood 1 - Lewes 2

Attendance; 998
MOM; Paul Wilkerson (Lewes)

retired_brinker317

So it's Gillingham in the First Round Proper then - our 'Cup Final', so to speak. Just as impressively, the club's bank balance has shot up by £10,000 - and we're now a shade over £32,000 in the black. Unfortunatley, Paul Kennett picked up a knock against Northwood, and will be ruled out for up to three weeks with a twisted knee.

After consultation with Chairman Terry Parris , we've decided that this financial success deserves reward - and I've been given the go-ahead to increase my backroom staff. We've put a few feelers out, and have approached 4 Coaches and a Physio as well as 2 Scouts to bolster us.

Scout Martyn Brown became the first to accept on Friday - and after a brief introduction session, was asked to check out young talent within the UK. Sussex isn't traditionally known as a breeding ground for young talent - although thanks to the efforts of Brighton & Hove Albion, Eastbourne Borough and, to a lesser extent, ourselves, there are some good, local youngsters coming through - our own Steve Barker certainly, but also the likes of Adam Virgo , who made a £1 Million move to Celtic last summer from Brighton, and those currently still at the Withdean - Jake Robinson, Dean Hammond and Adam Hinshelwood amongst others.

The four new coaches arrived on Friday afternoon - ex-Sheffield United 'keeper Simon Tracey and Dutchman Ivo Den Bieman the first to arrive, before 22-year old Nick Rogan and Scot Craig Robertson put pen to paper in the afternoon. Den Bieman, Rogan and Robertson will help out assistant Stuart Cash with general Coaching, while Tracey is our new specialist goalkeeping coach. The other scout, Jamie Irvine has also arrived, and will be based locally.

Histon v Lewes - Conference South Game 10 (29/10/05)

Lewes; 4-4-2; Wilkerson, Hustwick, Coulson, Hankin*, Legge, Mackay, Zadkovich, Harkin, Johanssen, Barker, Holligan

Subs; Hinshelwood, Tanner (GK), Taylor, Beckford, Sigire

'Ziggy' still isn't totally recovered from a nasty bout of food poisoning, but he is fit enough for a place on the bench, so Barker starts up front, with Harkin moving to the right flank. Kenno's injury means that Sean Hankin takes the captains armband, whilst Hustwick replaces a tired Robinson at right back. As a spectacle, the game wasn't much - we managed just two chances, with Key tipping a Mackay free kick onto the bar and Holligan hitting the side netting. Histon may have created more, but we worked hard as a defensive unit, and Wilkerson, although awarded Man of the Match, didn't have a save to make. We'll take a point, and I sense a win isn't far off - Histon, for the record, went into the game in fifth place...

Histon 0 - Lewes 0

Attendance; 1518
MOM; Paul Wilkerson (Lewes)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Bognor Regis | | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 9 | +7 | 23 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Bishop's Stortford | | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 22 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Weymouth | | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 28 | 10 | +18 | 21 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Eastbourne Boro | | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 10 | +5 | 20 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Histon | | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 7 | +6 | 17 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Weston-super-Mare | | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 11 | +3 | 17 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Dorchester | | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 16 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Cambridge City | | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 16 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Basingstoke | | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 16 | +1 | 16 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Yeading | | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 15 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | St. Albans | | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 14 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Thurrock | | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 13 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Sutton Utd | | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 11 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Newport Co | | 11 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 11 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Havant & W | | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 11 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Eastleigh | | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 11 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Carshalton | | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 11 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Farnborough | | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 11 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Welling | | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 11 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Maidenhead | | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 18 | -9 | 9 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | LEWES | | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 7 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Hayes | | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 | -10 | 6 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_abejamaya98

Brilliant story. I'm just starting a lower league one, with Hednesford Town.
I like your style of writing, and your passion for local non league football shines through.

Don't they always make better reading when you're struggling for results!

retired_brinker317

Cheers loyalwolvesfan :thup:

The table shows our position in it's full, grim state - we've managed just one victory all season in the League. With a game in midweek though we'll have another opportunity to quickly turn it around - and hopefully, we'll make the most of a visit from a Sutton side who have lost the same amount of games as ourselves this season.

Monday brought the final member of the backroom team through the door - John Houston is a 59-year old Scottish Physio, someone who has worked with new coach Craig Robertson in the past and comes highly reccomended.

We've also decided to open contract negociations with several players - those who are out of contract at the end of this season. On that list are Sean Hankin, Steve Robinson, Dean Hooper, Mark Coulson, Jean-Michel Sigire and Steve Barker . Currently Hankin, Robinson and Sigire have deals on the table - Steve Barker will be offered one when he turns 17 in December.

Just as interesting is transfer news - Ruben Zadkovich has agreed to complete a Free Transfer from Notts County to become a Lewes player on a permanent basis. The Australian midfielder, a real talent and a big hit in Sussex since his loan arrival, is a big capture, and one who I am personally delighted with. Meanwhile, Jean-Michel Sigire has also signed an extension to his contract.

Tuesday morning, and included in the post is a letter from the FA - Martin Johanssen has reached five yellow cards, and will be banned for one game. Why they couldn't have told me in the usual way, in form of fax, I have no idea, but they didn't in any case. On a far better note, Sean Hankin put pen to paper on a deal until 2008.

The third of the trimuvirate to be offered new deals, Steve Robinson , agreed terms on Wednesday morning. Wednesday, however, brought transfer news to boot - Mark Coulson the subject of a £5000 bid from Grays . With Coulson out of contract soon, and the ridiculous Transfer Window in operation for Conference National clubs, I've decided to accept the offer - no deal would complete until New Year's Day.

Lewes v Sutton United - Conference South Game 11 (2/11/05)

Lewes; 4-4-2; Wilkerson, Robinson, Coulson, Hankin*, Legge, Mackay, Zadkovich, Beckford, Taylor, Sigire, Holligan

Subs; Hinshelwood, Tanner (GK), Hooper, Barker, Harkin

Hustwick, Harkin, Johanssen and Barker all out of the starting lineup, with Robinson, Beckford, Taylor and Sigire in. What immediatley hit me was the positive attitude with which we paid - the support instantly got behind us, and it was highly irritating to see Sutton take the lead on 8 when Pitcher's ball put ex-Rook Luke Cornwall away to cross for Ali Chaaban to arc a header into the net. If the first was irritating, the second - coming after a spell of pressure in which we could have scored through Taylor and Holligan - was plain devastating. Legge suffered from a rare concentration lapse as Gonsalves crossed, and Cornwall got in to poke the ball past Wilkerson - a feat that he failed to do on regular occasions when at the Dripping Pan permanently. Not to be outdone, we almost instantly hit back - Emberson pushing away from Coulson's inswinging cross. Sigire, too, came close just before the break. Beckford went off at the interval, replaced by Harkin to add a little more pace to our attack. Just before the hour, Robinson came close for us - and it became clear that we would score before too long. The goal, when it came, was on 72 minutes - stand-in skipper Sean Hankin heading home Zadkovich's corner. With legs tiring, we threw on Barker for Sigire and Hinshelwood for Legge - and then hit the bar on 87 through Holligan. Barker too had a late chance, firing wide, but the effort was certainly there - and, for one of the first times this season, the reaction as the lads walked off was highly enthusiastic. We are getting there!

Lewes 1 - Sutton Utd 2

Attendance; 324
MOM; Tony Quinton (Sutton Utd)

retired_brinker317

Cheers Supa Playa - it's not going great so far, but hopefully we'll find the mix soon.


Sean Hankin's performance - and goal - came out of the top drawer, but another booking means that he too will serve a one-game ban. At least Martin Johanssen is available to return on Saturday.

Friday brought a decision from Mark Coulson - although he'll continue to be a key part of our squad until then, Mark will sign for Grays in a deal worth £5000 on New Year's Day. The opportunity is too good for him, as a player to pass up - and us too, with the defender out of contract at the end of the season. His rival for the left back slot, Dean Hooper , is too up for reknewal at the end of the campaign - and will no doubt want to show he has what it takes to stay in the squad.

That though, is in the future - it's Cup fever!

Lewes v Gillingham - FA Cup First Round (5/11/05)

Lewes; 4-4-2; Wilkerson, Robinson, Coulson, Hinshelwood, Legge, Mackay, Zadkovich, Johanssen, Taylor, Sigire*, Holligan

Subs; Hustwick, Tanner (GK), Hooper, Barker, Harkin

With Hankin banned and Beckford rested, Paul Hinshelwood and Martin Johanssen come in - with Ziggy taking the captains armband. After an encouraging performance in defeat against Sutton, if there is one day I really wish we could get a win, it's today. I've never seen The Pan so packed - there's over 2000 people here, and a lot are Lewesians keen to see the side that they hardly bother coming to watch play against one that gets disproportionate coverage on local television. Both sides came out to rapturous applause, and set about each other. If it wasn't obvious before, it was clear after just 45 seconds - we would have a battle on our hands. Fortunatley, the Kentish side didn't score with their first attack, Wilkerson instead palming over from Moses Ashikodi. Another fantastic save denied Hislop on 6, before the inevitable on 14 - Moses Ashikodi arriving at the far post to meet a Jarvis cross from a matter of yards. Gillingham's second followed four minutes later - loanee striker Ashikodi again on target, this time from close range after Spiller's rocket was blocked by the brave Wilkerson. From the very next chance, we scored - sending the Philcox Stand into a delighted sea of red and black. Hinshelwood's long ball earnt us a throw, and when Robinson's searching cross found Chris Taylor , the ex-Swindon man picked the perfect time to head the ball beyond Bullock. Unfortunatley, it didn't last long - Steve Hislop practically walked in the third after a defence-splitting move down the wing, before Moses Ashikodi secured his hatrick on 28 with a close-range header from Hislop's cross. The beauty of two strikers working in tandem was not lost on me - and maybe one of the reasons for our awful run was that we stuck with 5-4-1 for too long. Of all the things you wouldn't have expected, however, we achieved it - Jean Michel-Sigire taking advantage of Johanssen's deflected pass into the box to outmuscle Chris Hope and poke the ball home. At the break Steve Mackay made way for Steve Barker, with the teenager surely relishing the occasion. The second half, however, began slowly - Wilkerson again saving from Ashikodi, but other than that, chances were few and far between. 11 minutes from time Zadkovich came close for us - Bullock saving his deflected effort - before referee Andy Penn brought a very entertaining 94 minutes of football to an end to cheers from both sets of supporters. The Cup dream is over - but what a performance!

Lewes 2 - Gillingham 4

Attendance; 2064
MOM; Moses Ashikodi (Gillingham)