Rooks run riot- whilst Wanderers have to dig deep

Before last night’s FA Cup replay at the Dripping Pan, Lewes FC groundsman Rog was worried about the damage a collection of very large moles might do to his pitch. Ninety minutes later, however, it was only the Moles who had been damaged, as Lewes defeated Molesey 8-1; a record FA Cup victory for the Premier Division new boys.

It took fifteen minutes for Lewes to open the scoring, with a low shot from James Hammond after great work from Steve Brinkhurst, but the Moles were level eleven minutes later, Ryan Marklew firing home. Sadly for the away side, that was as good as it got. By half time Harry Reed and Billy Medlock had made it 3-1, and in the second half it was all one way traffic.

Ronnie Colon made it four nine minutes after the restart, and six minutes later he was finding the net again. A Billy Medlock penalty made it six, before a late show from Luke Blewden delivered seven and eight to delight most of the 350 in attendance.

Lewes now travel to Farnborough on Saturday, whilst our other victors last night, Cray Wanderers, are also on the road- to Metropolitan Police. Wanderers were made to work hard for victory over Southern Counties East Premier Division Rusthall. Despite taking the lead as early as the twelfth minute through Michael Power they were pegged back by an own goal in the second half, and then fell behind in extra time before Power soothed their nerves, equalising from the spot. The match then went to penalties, and Wanderers set up that trip to Imber Court by holding their nerve to win 4-3.