Jonte Smith Scores In Victory Over Ashford
Bermuda’s Jonte Smith scored for Lewes FC as they recorded a 3-1 victory against Ashford United.
The club’s match report said, “A hardworking team performance saw Lewes claim an impressive 3-1 victory at an improving Ashford United side and maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Bostik South, reports Tom Harper.
“The first chance of the game fell to Lewes, who saw Bouwe Bosma volley a Charlie Coppola cross from the right wide of the upright after good football in midfield.
“Lewes were gradually beginning to control of the game and took the lead after 18 minutes through Frankie Chappell, who lost his marker to head a James Hammond free-kick past George Kamurasi in the Ashford goal.
“The hosts started the second half brightly, but the first opportunity fell to Lewes, with Leon Redwood just missing the target with a long-range effort.
“Lewes were struggling to get out of their own half at this stage and were given another let-off just minutes later, with Sollis heading a cross from the left against the bar.
“The Rooks had done well to withstand such heavy pressure for long periods of the second half and punished Ashford for these missed chances after 78 minutes, as Smith was played in down the right and finished past Kamurasi at his near post to double Lewes’ lead before celebrating with the impressive contingent of travelling fans behind the goal.
“Lewes secured the three points in spectacular fashion just two minutes later through Hammond, who send a superb, dipping 25-yard strike past Kamurasi and into the top corner to make it 3-0 with just ten minutes left to play.
“To their credit, Ashford continued to look for a route back into the game and saw a powerful far-post header from a corner hit the underside of the bar before being scrambled clear.
“The Rooks were sensing more goals themselves though, as substitute Billy Medlock latched onto a through-ball from Ronnie Conlon but saw his effort come back off the outside of the post.
“The hosts scored the goal their second-half performance had arguably deserved in stoppage time from the penalty spot, as Dean Grant blasted his spot-kick straight down the middle after Chappell misjudged a long ball forward and appeared to handle the ball in the area.
“This was the last meaningful action of the game, and the Rooks were able to celebrate a hard-fought three points with the travelling fans at full-time.”
