Luer’s hat-trick turns the tables

Greg Luer hit an excellent hat-trick to send the Hillians through to the quarter finals of the Robert Dyas League Cup last week.

Lewes were more or less at full stretch, while the hosts were without the injured Sam Fisk as well as resting skipper Darren Budd and starting with Danny Curd and Scott Kirkwood on the bench.

In came Graham Martin, Paul Armstrong, Spencer Slaughter and Luer, while Max Miller was ruled out with an injury.

Hill got off to a great start as Luer put them ahead after just five minutes when he slotted the ball past the visiting keeper.

The hosts then maintained the pressure on the visitors and were unlucky not to add to the lead.

Then on 29 minutes Lewes striker Dan Smith, dual signed with Hassocks, was sent off for a two footed tackle just in front of the dug outs.

Lewes nearly equalised on 41 minutes but Alan Mansfield made a great one-on-one save. to deny them.

In the second half the Rooks came out stronger but after weathering the early pressure, the Hillians doubled their lead when Neil Watts broke down the right and crossed for Luer to provide the finish.

Luer completed his hat-trick seven minutes later when Pat Harding slotted a ball through to him and he accepted the chance superbly.

With the tie won, Jack Dixon pulled back a consolation effort for Lewes from the penalty spot with five minutes remaining.

The result sees the Hillians go through to the quarter finals, the furthest they have reached in the competition.

Hillians: Mansfield; Watts, Keehan, Denyer, Pointing (Kirkwood, 46); Gayler, Armstrong, Slaughter, Martin (Curd, 59), Harding, Luer (Howell, 85). Unused subs: Kay, Perry.

Middy Starman: It has to be the hat-trick hero Greg Luer.