Rooks rock Rocks

It was the home side who dominated possession in the opening ten minutes as Bognor struggled to deal with their hosts’ pace.

Lewes could have been ahead after eight minutes. The ball was worked well to Matt Crabb, who dodged a couple of tackles before dragging his effort just wide of Chris Winterton’s far post.

Bognor had their first attempt on goal after 13 minutes when a great run down the left by Alex Parsons saw him cross the ball into the box, only for Jason Prior to nod wide.

The Rocks were beginning to find their rhythm and could have taken the lead when a determined run from Stuart Green saw the Lewes defence back off. He squared the ball to James Crane, whose shot was well saved by Rikki Banks.

With the half drawing to a close, Lewes had a free-kick in a dangerous area, but Tom Fraser’s effort never looked like troubling Winterton.

Like the first half, it was the hosts who dictated play when the teams returned after the interval.

This time, though, they made their dominance pay when they took the lead after 58 minutes.

Nicky Wheeler’s pin-point cross was met by Luke Blewden, who gave Winterton no chance.

Blewden could have added a second ten minutes later when a through-ball split the Rocks defence, but this time the striker could only fire wide.

With 20 minutes left on the clock Bognor pushed hard for an equaliser, with Crane forcing Banks into a good save and Prior heading the rebound wide of the target.

On 82 minutes, a deep cross into the box found Green unmarked but he lashed his effort well over the Lewes bar.

In the dying moments, the home side were reduced to 10 men when Crabb was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But despite this, the home side held on to their slim one-goal advantage to take all three points from the clash.

The Rocks are next in action on New Year’s Day, when they host Peacehaven & Telscombe.

ROGER NASH