Lewes FC backed to recover from shaky start

He lamented two ‘huge’ mistakes that led to a 2-1 loss to Brightlingsea Regent last Saturday – and said they were gutted to lose 3-1 to high-flying Worthing after working hard and playing 75 minutes without a recognised goalkeeper.

Langton doesn’t talk about luck but says all the ‘external factors’ are going against the Rooks at the moment. But he said: “We have a good team who are not far away from getting results.”

Aaron Cosgrave put Lewes ahead against Regent but mistakes led to two goals winning it for the visitors.

Against Worthing, keeper Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke was sent off early for a handball outside the area – then outfield replacement Gary Noel had to be replaced by Nic D’Arienzo after the break because of injury.

Lewes have been boosted by the arrival of ex-Sutton winger Tom Bolarinwa and that of midfielder Jude Arthurs, on dual terms from Bromley.

Langton said: “It feels at the moment that everything I try to do to help the team is being affected by an outer force – external factors that you can’t control.

“Against Worthing, it’s hard enough playing them with 11 men, let alone for 75 minutes without a goalkeeper.

“At the end of that game the players were absolutely gutted their hard work had been for nothing.”

Lewes visit Wingate and Finchley tomorrow and leaders Bowers and Pitsea on Tuesday – with Langton saying clubs’ concerns about the early part of the season being ‘overloaded’ with fixtures had been ignored.