It was six short months ago that we were lamenting Craig Nelson loving Angels instead. Now we hope he’s Back For Good, although it seems the club’s social media department still has its mind on managers past…
Brad wasn’t the only only coming back from the dead, either. Charlie Walker was released by the club a little over a week ago, but there he was back on the teamsheet, keeping Pitts company on the bench. (Fortunately, Club Sec John’s had his hands full over the past few weeks and hadn’t had time to rip up Charlie’s registration, meaning he was available for re-selection.)
And while we’re talking of returning heroes, how good it was to see Parish Muirhead back in the parish? His calm presence in midfield has been much missed and he was stroking it about like he’d never been a’Cray last night.
There was one new face in the squad last night and he immediately picked up the armband, in a season where we’ve had more captains than the QE2. Jamie Watson joined Pitts on the journey down the A26 from Tonbridge to Lewes, slotting in alongside recent recruit Tito Salaam at centre-back.
Otherwise, not a great deal had changed personnel-wise from Brad’s last shellacking at Folkestone last week. So managing to turn a run of six straight defeats into a victory last night, was no small achievement for Pitts and his staff (the Pitts crew?).
Cheshunt were the most route one side I’ve seen at this level for some time. Most of the league has bought into the Pep-style play-it-around-the-back-until-we-pass-it-to-their-striker style, but Cheshunt were having none of that nonsense, preferring to wallop long balls straight out of play for a goal-kick at every opportunity.
Ironically, however, it was one of our more direct efforts that gave us the lead. Lukas Franzen-Jones had spent the first 25 minutes in a wrestling match with Cheshunt’s meaty centre-backs before he finally got the better of one of them, turning neatly, holding off a second challenge, and then planting the ball past the keeper.
That lead lasted about as long as Kier Starmer’s honeymoon period. Within three minutes they were level. A break down the left wasn’t dealt with until the lad got into the box, at which point Tito Salaam wiped him out. A more stonewall penalty you’ll do well to see, which was converted by Nunn.
Little grumbles of unease could be heard all around me in the commentary box, especially given our propensity to surrender leads in the early part of this season. On more than one occasion we were indebted to Louis Rogers for pulling off great last-ditch saves, although he also spilled one that Cheshunt’s forward really should have buried in the second half.
The jangling nerves were settled by a real piece of quality midway through the second half. The newly arrived Arezki Hamouchene slid a ball through to Devonte West, who in turn slid in Bernal down the right. I’d have bet my mortgage he would try and whip the ball across the face of goal, and so did the Cheshunt defence, but he pulled it back brilliantly for West who thundered it home at the near post.
After that, Cheshunt didn’t really threaten all that much, and bar a late Thunderbastard that twanged off our bar, we held on tight. Our first win since August and incredibly back up to 9th. The Angels are looking over us.
Lewes: Rogers, Bernal, Salaam, Watson, Asiedu, Muirhead, Christmas (Hamouchene), Bennett (Andrews), Morgan (Clarke), West (Maguire-Drew), Franzen-Jones (Walker)
Supporters Club man of the match: The Rolls Royce that is Parish Muirhead marked his return with a very assured performance. Welcome back, son. Help yourself to a bottle of something from Brian.
Boyesy’s brilliant photos:
