Lewes V Torquay United 27th January 2009

never a plummer when you want one...

Morning gentlemen. I’ll stick to my usual plan of not reading anything in this thread before I write my thoughts about the game.

As anyone who has read the Lewes FC thread in the Ground Reviews section will know, I’ve been really looking forward to this game for quite some time. And I wasn’t disappointed. I’ve been to the magnificent Old Trafford; I’ve watched my beloved Gulls with the jaw-dropping backdrop of Wembley Stadium; and I’ve stood in the highest point of the 80,000-seater Giants Stadium gazing across the spectacular New York skyline.

But The Dripping Pan is quite probably my favourite.

Everything about it is just so, well, quaint. The small stands at either end of the pitch keep the fans compacted providing a much better atmosphere. The stylish, modern stand on the dugout side looked like something out of a sci-fi movie and seats a generous number of fans. And opposite this stand is a raised grass bank which provides some lovely views of the pitch below. This was also the setting of Paul Bastard’s hilarious dash to join us in the stand that housed the Gulls fans in the first half.

The game itself wasn’t brilliant. Torquay dominated the first 10 minutes and you could tell straight away that the three points were there for the taking. It was simply a case of sticking the ball in the back of the net. Lewes’ left-back was absolutely shocking and Carlisle tore him to shreds in the first half. I was impressed that the team in white managed to keep to a slick passing game, despite the horrendous state of the playing surface.

A frustrating first half ended with a Nicholson pile-driver that flew into the bottom corner via Thompson’s perfectly positioned backside. Thommo will claim it, but Nicho will take all the plaudits.

The Gulls migrated west for the second half and nestled in with the minimal amount of Lewes fans who, it has to be said, were great banter. On the pitch, it was a mediocre second half brightened only by Nicholson’s deadly free kick which was neatly tucked home by DSane.

There were noticeable performances from the returning Robertson and Adams, who played like they wanted to be in the side; and every time Nicholson received the ball out wide, his left foot was whipping in crosses that caused their rather shaky keeper problems all night long.

But my Man of the Match goes to our big number 9. Sills put in a true workhorse performance, putting himself about and even pulling out the backheels and pirouette turns. Two difficult headers - one wide to the right, the other wide to the left - were followed by his simplest chance which, had she been watching, would have had Sandra Redknapp hanging her head in shame. Other than this though, he was superb.

Lewes, in turn, were dreadful. When my Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea supporting friends go on about the Sunday League standard of the Conference, I know full well that they don’t know what they’re talking about. However, teams like Lewes don’t help my argument. Aside from their big number 22 (who had a great name that I’m not going to even attempt to spell), they looked like a team with zero confidence. They only created two chances the whole game and both times the ball was struck with all the tenacity and finesse that you’d expect from a team that hasn’t scored in several weeks.

Quick player ratings (out of 10):

Bevan 7 – Didn’t really have a lot to do. But when he did, he did it well.
Robertson 7.5 – He wants his place back and it showed.
Woods 6.5 – Typical solid performance.
Nicholson 8 – Superb and, ultimately, lethal.
Mansell 6.5 – Did his job.
Carlisle 6.5 – Delivery wasn’t great but a decent performance.
Adams 7.5 – Clearly enjoyed being back in the team. Every pass goes sideways which can frustrate but he retained possession well.
Thompson 7 – Lively. I like this player a lot.
DSane 7.5 – Gave the Lewes right back a torrid night.
Hargreaves 7 – Typical performance, didn’t misplace one pass all night.
Sills 9 – Superb, deserved a goal. My only annoyance is that he drifts wide too often, which can work against us in the lone-striker formation.

And for the record:

Hot dog 8.5
Chips 9.5

Exactly the result I was looking for.
Well done to the players & PB.
As has already been said this is the type of game we struggled with last season. Its easy to raise your game against "big" guns, not so easy on a night like last night as Wrexham will testify.

If we can grind out results in February and maybe chip a few points back on Burton then hit real form in March & April who knows.
I had written off the title but if we win the 3 in hand we are 10 behind with Burton to play twice.

nothing like a win to get you dreaming.

buster

A relatively easy journey for me of 45 minutes down the A24/A23 from Dorking and my first return to a ground where I had the 'honour' of a FA appointment as an official to a FA cup qualifying round back in the late eighties. Parking last night was a nightmare & eventually found a place about a mile away. I took my sat nav in my pocket to find my car again !

Those listening to the radio etc obviously experienced what we have most Saturdays living 200 miles away!

Lewes gave a poor showing, being unable to control the ball after the first touch and often took the easier, safer option of kicking for touch. The Gulls were prominent in possession and played the ball around,across and through the channels and thankfully had the lucky break to score.

Chatting to various Gulls supporters around me I was interested to see from where they had travelled to the game; St Albans,
Guildford, a student from Brighton University who came from Modbury and Clapham Gull who works in S.London

An enjoyable evening with Sills missing a couple but was pleased with the encouragement given to him directly after each attempt by those around me. Singing & banter was good in the second half but feel sorry for the situation that Lewis find themselves in and didn't think that Keegan (Lewis manager) deserved the vociferous reaction of some of his teams supporters at the end.

Hope all those that travelled arrived 'home' safely.(I also did once I found my car!)

I met the famous Merse after the match and offered him a pint but he turned it down due to him driving home.

I have to say that I really enjoyed last night's match at The Dripping Pan. Lewes reminds me a little bit of Totnes. Solid stone houses, narrow streets and no parking at all! After driving down to the bottom of the road my heart sank to see the leisure centre car park completely full so I parked up on double yellows against the wall that flanked one side of the ground.

What a lovely little ground though. One grass bank, one steep stand covered with a Don Valley stadium type roof, one small uncovered away stand carved into the rock and one side with more neon than the Las Vegas strip. The clubhouse was lovely and served a decent pint and the food available (and the variety) was excellent. In the end I went for the WeightWatchers option of Chilli and Chips.

The game itself was a drab affair, the first half especially. Sills was excellent but I kept asking myself what he was doing on the right wing. Thompson was a mixed bag. Often clever in possession, but equally poor in decision making and linking up with others. Dsane worked his jaffas off for little reward. Adams and Hargreaves had good games, Adams especially. Robertson slotted into defence looking like he'd never been away.

We switched ends in the second half mainly because it was starting to get a bit parky and bleak in the isolated away end. I found the atmosphere amongst the both sets of supporters was excellent. Lots of banter. Absolutely no niggle and lots of laughs to be had. It's only really my 2nd experience of watching a league match without segregation and it was a much nicer one than down the road at Eastbourne where I got the impression that most were petty knobheads.

All in all an average peformance on a poor pitch, but its three valuable points considering the other results and its a ground I would love to go back to again one day.

Does anybody know the story behind the weirdo in the clubhouse with the mini electronic jumbotron badge with "select" on it? Very bizarre.

Welcome to the forum young man (It's DGEP, by the way, but feel free to call me Alex). It feels weird calling you that seeing as I talk to you every day and tend to use your real name...

I had a feeling you might have written extensively about the food at The Dripping Pan. It was good though, wasn't it?

I guess our next game will be away at Grays, provided we can get through the tunnel in time for kick off! We'll have to go down to Devon one weekend and I'll take you to Fortress Plainmoor.

Mr. Downs, Lord Barton, Sir BD. Once again the ridiculous amount of wisdom, knowledge and wit crammed into your head blows me away.

As for your challenge, I would have to say West Ham United. I seem to remember reading about their new stadium and how they wanted to build it so that the halfway line ran along the Greenwich Meridian.