FOOTBALL: Wick crash out to Lewes in Senior Cup

Some would have arrived at Crabtree Park thinking a cup shock was on the cards, as Lewes, bottom of their league, had failed to register an away win all season, and had scored just five goals on their travels.

Their hopes quickly faded as Lewes tore into a 4-0 half-time lead with the pacey Cox bagging all four goals in a crazy 10-minute spell at the beginning of the match.

Just eight minutes had gone when Lewis Bell raced through the Wick defence, only to be bundled down by Julian Curnow. A penalty was awarded and Cox rolled the ball home past Anthony Ender.

Before Wick had a chance to regroup, it was 2-0. Bell again caused havoc, racing through on the right. His shot was well parried by Ender, but only into the path of Cox, who had the simple task of tapping home for his second.

Wick heads were down and on 15 minutes, Lewes scored again. Seb Wallis-Taylor fed Andy Wilkinson on the left, who left Dave Sharman standing. He cut into the box before playing in Cox to slide the ball under Ender to complete his hat-trick.

Bell was the chief tormentor as Wick's back line failed to read his pacey runs and movement. He was again instrumental in his side's fourth goal on 19 minutes. His pass played in Joe Keehan, who out-foxed Ender to tee up Cox who rifled the ball into an empty net.

The Wick faithful could have been excused for getting their calculators out to predict the final score, and their fears would have hightened when Dave Sharman received a straight red card for clipping the heals of Wallis-Taylor on 37 minutes. Man of the match Bell nearly gave his side a 5-0 lead on the stroke of half-time, but saw his overhead kick scrambled off the line by Joe Briggs.

The second half was a more even affair and Wick created a number of half-chances. Josh Sutcliffe's excellent left-wing cross was nearly forced home by the tireless Phil Turner on 56 minutes, and Curnow's header was narrowly wide following a Darren Pearce free kick with 20 minutes remaining.

Lewes scored a fifth on 77 minutes, when Steve Elliot beat the offside trap and coolly shot past Ender. This was just moments after Sutcliffe had a shot saved by former Worthing keeper Rikki Banks at the far post.

Wick, however, had the last laugh and deservedly scored a consolation goal when substitute Gareth Bricknell slid in at the far post to guide the ball home from six yards in the final minute.

There was still time for Lewes' Chamel Fenelon to receive his second yellow of the night, ensuring the final moments were played out 10 a side.

Wick: Ender; Sharman, Curnow, Moss, Sutcliffe; West, Barnard, Pearce, Swain, Briggs; Turner. Subs: Torode (Briggs 67), Scerri (Turner 72), Bricknell (West 83). Att: 92.

-------------------------------------

Click here to go back to Worthing sport.

Click here to return to Gazette sport.

Click here to go back to Shoreham sport.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]