Lewes show fight – but slip to defeat to Billericay Town

The Rooks went down to an early two-goal deficit at The Dripping Pan thanks to two defensive errors, and as they attempted to reassert themselves, conceded on the stroke of half-time.

They were much improved in the second half and enjoyed the vast majority of chances, with Bobby Unwin, Devonte West and Charlie Walker particularly unlucky.

Nonetheless, the result puts Lewes in greater peril as they struggle to amass points and pull away from a gradually closing relegation pack.

Following their miserable recent run, Lewes came into this contest with little to no expectation.

They had lost 1-0 to a relegation-threatened and out-of-form Cray Valley Paper Mills the previous Saturday, and manager Craig Nelson duly rang the changes to arrest the slide.

Out went Olly Hamstead, Alfie Allen, Devonte West, Beaux Booth and Charlie Walker, and in came Ryan Bernal, Tyler Christian-Law, Ansu Janneh, Taurean Roberts and Bobby Unwin.

Their tactical approach changed accordingly, with it becoming clear from the outset that Lewes were set up to defend.

Christian-Law dropped deep to form a back five at times, while George Nunn ploughed a lonely furrow up front.

Against an in-form, promotion-chasing Billericay side, this made sense, but it also blunted the Rooks’ effectiveness on home turf.

Ultimately, the approach leaked goals just as other recent attempts by the Rooks had.

In the 13th minute, a simple lofted pass over the left of the Lewes defence carved them open, and forward Alfie Cerulli showed great composure to blast past Louis Rogers one-on-one.

Elliot Long had the next chance for the visitors, and almost converted in identical fashion from the right of the box, only to drag his effort just wide.

Fortunately for Long, it was a short wait for his next involvement.

In the 21st minute, he was set free on the right of the box by a beautiful through ball and felled by an isolated Rogers.

That gave Cerulli his chance for a second from the spot, and he made no mistake, burying into the bottom right corner.

Billericay had no issues solidifying their advantage, taking the half’s remaining minutes to stay solid in their defensive structure.

Given the 5th-placed side had won eight of their previous 10 outings, it was no surprise their stranglehold was so heavy.

The only slight opening afforded to Lewes came to Danny Bassett, who cut in from the left and fired a powerful effort straight at goalkeeper James Holden.

Though it seemed the half couldn’t get worse for Lewes, it soon did.

On the stroke of half time, Ansu Janneh was pick-pocketed midway through his own half and Billericay pounced.

They worked the ball around with guile and speed, and in a dizzying blur, striker Frankie Merrifield poked beyond Rogers to make it 3-0.

Chances of a comeback looked slim at half-time, but Lewes were determined to go down with a fight.

Their start to the second half gave reasons to be optimistic, with Unwin threatening early with a powerful fizz into Holden’s gloves.

Lewes continued to build into the half as they saw much more of the ball and used it well at times.

Half-time substitutes Parish Muirhead and Charlie Walker were full of beans, with the former dictating the tempo and the latter using his experience to create gaps in the Billericay backline.

While the visitors were sitting back, Lewes were at least giving them something to think about.

Christian-Law had two openings in quick succession midway through the half, first finding the palms of Holden with a deflected strike and then sending a tame header at goal.

Substitute Devonte West, meanwhile, was getting better with every touch and soon had Billericay full-back Jazzi Barnum-Bobb on toast.

For his first trick, West burned down the left flank and to the by-line, where he squared the ball to the penalty spot.

Unwin unbelievably fluffed his lines from 12 yards, but West continued, and minutes later, he cleverly beat his man to the by-line again, with his ball across the box cleared by the visitors.

Walker then tried his luck from close range, and his shot was spilled before being cleared in the six-yard box.

Another opening for the 35-year-old striker was quickly snuffed out by Billericay in the closing stages, as Lewes continued their ascendancy to the final whistle.

While it would make no difference to the end result, the manner of this response was heartening for Rooks fans.

A seven-match winless run will not be easy to break, but with a trip to 3rd-placed Brentwood Town coming up this weekend, they can at least take some heart.

That outing kicks off at 3pm at the Brentwood Centre Arena this Saturday.

Lewes: Rogers; Bernal, Watson, Burchell, Kpakpe; Christian-Law (C), Janneh (Muirhead, 46’); Roberts (Booth, 60’), Unwin, Bassett (West, 67’); Nunn (Walker, 46’). Unused: Hamstead.