Four penalty corners sink Saxons Mens 3's

An away visit to 'high flying' Lewes resulted in a drawn out fixture that produced no goals from open play. Injuries and availability issues resulted in a changed line up for the Mens 3's who needed the first half to settle into the game.

The visitors started well but found it difficult to maintain possession and break down play. It was Lewes who broke forward and found a foot in the D for a penalty corner that was smashed into the backboard.

Poor passing decisions saw Saxon struggle to convert their attacks into goal scoring opportunities. It was another break from the opposition that saw Lewes win a penalty corner. Some disappointing and somewhat colourful language from Lewes went unpunished. Lewes again taking a well rehearsed penalty corner to find the backboard to make it 2-0.

Within minutes Lewes were on the break again and another foot in the D enabled Lewes to score a dubious penalty corner that dipped over the back line to hit the backboard.

With the half time score at 3-0 Saxons retired to the debate their first half performance.

The second half got underway and Saxons renewed determination paid off and a Lewes infringement in their D gave Saxons a golden opportunity to close the gap. A false start from the penalty corner saw a defender dismissed to the half way line. Julian Buss's clinical strike headed for the bottom right hand corner of the goal and was helped across the line by Lochi Whitehead.

Saxons rallied and could sense that some of the Lewes players were tiring. Buss skilfully dribbled the ball between two Lewes players crossing the 23 metre line only for a late tackle to bring him down. The result was not as expected and Saxons were given a free hit outside the 23 metre line. Some more colourful language from a Lewes player finally resulted in a green card.

A sustained attack from Saxons with several counters from Lewes was not enough to break 10 man Lewes. Decisions just did not seem to be going Saxons way. Assisted by 'Robben' Lewes obtained a series of penalty corners on the break that were rebuffed by Saxons defence and some inspired goalkeeping from Derick Longley.

It was one such break away attack that was brought to an abrupt end, just inside the Saxons 23m area, by 'man of the match' Trevor Davies whose robust tackle on a lewes player resulted in a yellow. With Saxons now down to 10 men Lewes finished the job with another penalty corner routine that crunched against the backboard.

Saxons saw out the game to the final whistled despite feeling 'robbed' shook hands and left the field in good spirit.

Saxons remain fourth in Sussex open division 3 and will face Brighton and Hove at Horntye Park this coming Saturday.