The build-up to this game was like no other County have played with a kick-off time of 12 noon on Sunday because Sussex police apparently anticipated the inconvenience would deter Newport fans from travelling.  If that really was the reason, it does not inspire confidence in the phrase ‘police intelligence’!

Of course County fans travelled in their substantial numbers and Lewes would have been seriously embarrassed by the attendance figure if they had not done so.  The locals appeared to be the only ones put off from flocking to the Dripping Pan by the absurd kick-off time, but then they might have had inside knowledge that the game was going to be no spectacle.  To clear a few things up, County supporters behaved impeccably and with good humour, and their numbers were boosted with a half a dozen of the Eastbourne Borough fans who have always made us so welcome at the Priory Stadium these last four seasons.

In fairness, the Lewes stewards also acted calmly and sensitively and it is to be hoped that the home officials who treated the visiting contingent with courtesy will be rewarded by improved relations between the clubs in the future.  With that out of the way, let’s move onto the game about which it was difficult to be so positive.

Lewes skipper Steve Robinson almost gave the home side a sixth minute lead when hesitant defending at a home corner allowed him almost a slow motion chance from which he hit the crossbar.  Sam O’Sullivan then suffered a nasty knock when he attacked down the left a few minutes later and was forced off to allow Lee John his first extended run in a game.

In the 12th minute Lewes did edge in front when the influential Simon Wormull caused County problems from the left flank.  Glyn Thompson did well to palm away his cross but the predatory PAUL BOOTH was unmarked and controlled the ball well to tuck away his shot.  Lewes almost immediately added to their advantage but Thompson showed excellent judgement to dive at the feet of Kirk Watts to clear the danger.

Giant defender Ian Simpemba headed wide of an almost open goal on 28 minutes and that was almost the last we saw of Lewes as an attacking force.  County’s first half performance was most disappointing as time and again the ball was launched long for Julian Alsop to contest possession with Simpemba and Robinson.  County were so stretched though at this stage that they found it difficult to win second ball from big Jules and appeared to lack the confidence to produce the passing game which was often so entertaining and effective last season.

Peter Beadle said that at half-time he asked the players to be braver and to get the ball down and pass it, and while the advice did not produce a second half reward, the performance was much better after the break.  Lewes were camped in their own half for almost the entire second period, and if it would be nice to think that was entirely down to the quality of County’s display, the suspicion was that it was as much down to negative thinking on the part of the home side.

County fans would not accept their players time wasting in such fashion while holding a one goal lead at Spytty Park, and, in terms of entertainment, the home side offered nothing in the second half.  Charlie Griffin twice was agonisingly close with shots that passed within inches of the post and he also forced an excellent save from Williams with a header from a Damon Searle free-kick.  Jason Bowen did head the ball into the net but the offside flag was correctly raised so County cheers choked in the fans’ throats.

The game had been played in a good spirit until near the end and referee Justin Comley seemed to be trying to get through without resorting to his cards.  However, near the end a nasty challenge from behind on Nathan Davies should have had him reaching for his notebook and County fans were then incensed by a dangerous lunge on Ian Hillier by Jamie Cade with just two minutes left which was also unpunished.  Immediately the two clashed again and as Cade collapsed in a heap in front of the home bench, Comley showed a straight red to the County defender.

It was difficult to gauge in real time whether it was a serious offence, and some County fans felt that the protests of the Lewes bench and the actions of the home player caused the referee to over-react.  Whatever the merits of the decision, when play resumed, Cade launched himself into Davies and received his long overdue card, of the yellow variety, from the referee, before being wisely substituted by home manager Steve King.

The incidents inevitably produced the chant: “Same old Lewes, always cheating”  from the County fans, but if the game had ended just a few minutes earlier it would have been free from the controversy which seems to affect these fixtures.

So County returned home pointless and goalless, and the longer they wait for the first goal on the road, the more confidence is going to suffer.  There was very little to complain about at the back except perhaps for defenders launching it long and seeming to lack the confidence to bring the creative players into the game.  Lee Jarman took the eye again with a strong and assured display and fears that John Brough would be missed have not materialised.

Davies worked non-stop and his efforts make him an indispensible part of the team, but this was not a game in which County’s creative players were able to make their mark.  Alsop was again a model of application and effort for the team cause, Lee John impressed with some aggressive running at the home defence and Griffin was always a threat.  Praise of Lewes may be grudging in the minds of some County supporters, but it has to be acknowledged that, while they will win no beauty contests, King has again made them very hard to beat, and they are the kind of side that will have to overcome if the season is to be successful.

Man of the Match: Lewes: Simon Wormull (a quality player)

County: Nathan Davies (usual non-stop effort).