Rewind six months, writes Mike Wallis. Lewes vs Sunderland at the Pan. Lewes control the game pretty much from start to finish and win 2-0.

Today. Lewes vs Sunderland at the Pan. Sunderland control the game pretty much start to finish and win 2-0.

You only need to glance at the league table to see where Lewes’s problems lie. Palace are already on 25 goals. Fellow strugglers Watford managed 2 today alone (but also conceded 5). Lewes have 3 goals from 8 matches.

Lewes, like last week, started the game with no recognised striker.

Given this issue, the last thing Lewes needed in the first 15 minutes was a flukey cross going all the way in. From the far side I couldn’t see if it got a touch at the far post or not, but either way it felt quite the anti-climax. The optimism from last week was gone and Lewes never looked like getting back into it from there.

Sunderland got the ball in the net again shortly after, but the referee ruled the goal out for a foul. Indeed Emily Moore, who had kept her place in the side from last week, came off the worse from the challenge and ended up being replaced by Whitehouse.

Sunderland got the ball in the net again, following a goalmouth scramble. The linesman waved his flag as if there was a foul or an offside but I *think* he was actually indicating the ball had crossed the line. Neither goal will feature in anyone’s goal of the season list, but Sunderland were 2-0 up and the game was as good as done.

The second half was a non-event. Lewes looked a much better side once Kate Mooney came on last week, but she didn’t seem to make much of an impact this week. Much like Emma Thompson last season, there’s definitely a good player somewhere in Reanna Blades, but she just can’t quite finish off the chances she creates. Hollie Olding looks a really useful player but I can’t work out what her role is, seemingly altering between a defensive midfielder and a centre forward today.

Amelia Hazard created a chance in the second half that was cleared off the line, which was probably the closest Lewes came. Carragh Hamilton is great fun to watch but has already picked up one daft red card this season and very easily could’ve had another today after a clumsy late challenge. Anna Grey was given player of the match, probably the right choice, as if someone was going to create something, it would’ve been her.

Lewes still haven’t quite got going this season, despite last weeks win. London City’s surprise win against Southampton has opened up an ominous looking gap between Watford, Lewes and everyone else. Sunderland go three points clear at the top and may well stay there.

Lewes now have a week off and return with a tricky looking home fixture against Charlton on Badge night. I suspect there will be fireworks.

Lewes: Moore (Whitehouse); Vassell, Garrad, Riglar, Hamilton; Olding, Hazard, Palmer (Mooney); Brasero-Carreira, Blades (Farrugia), Grey.