Today the weather was wet and lots of games locally were called off. I decided, at the last minute, to drive across country to Lewes FC at the Dripping Pan Ground in Sussex. The tie between Lewes FC and Corinthian Casuals FC, was an Isthmian League Premier Division fixture.

The Dripping Pan ground is surrounded by raised standing on one side and a three storey club house, food stall and bar behind the goal. There is a main Grandstand, with seating for 600, as well as extensive covered terracing behind the goal.

Behind the ground is a high hill, which a fan used as a viewing point today! The other 660 fans made a great atmosphere inside the ground.

The game opened with some attacking play from Lewes FC, which put Corinthian Casuals on the back foot. The opening goal came, unsurprisingly for the home team, in the 9th minute, after a clinical finish by top scorer, Joe Taylor.

The early goal visibly shocked Corinthian Casuals, but they rallied and had good chances later in the first half for Dowridge and Ayoola. Lewes FC, as hosts, continued to build pressure and had a number of opportunities that just lacked a quality finish, in the remainder of the first half.

As the teams went in for the half time break in steady rain, the score remained 1-0 for the home side.

The second half opened with both teams playing enterprising and quick paced passing football. The quality of some of the passages of play and the tempo were a credit to both sides.

In the 63rd minute Corinthian Casuals’ Centre Half, Uyi, brought down a Lewes FC’s Moore, in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Joe Taylor despatched the spot kick for his second of the game and his 22nd of the season.

There were some chances for both sides late on in the game, but at full time it was Lewes FC who took the points and moved up into a creditable eighth place, whilst the visitors sat in the highest of the relegation places in nineteenth.