A peach of a goal to win it, shame there were so few there to see it, writes Ash Head.

We did have proper Rooks Royalty in the bleachers, with legendary manager Jacquie Agnew and Hall-of-Famer and Lewes skipper emeritus Kelly Newton in the house.

Lewes lined up after Sunday’s reality check looking to put a few things right. They started well, pinging the ball around nicely in midfield, without threatening Kingshot in the Worthing goal. Sydney Schreimaier (4) impressed on her full debut, as did Hannah Godfrey, taking the armband.

As expected, the former Lewes players now in the away blue of Worthing had a point to prove. After Layla Proctor slid home the opener, it was that familiar bustling run of Dani Lane that set up Sammy Quayle to level it up on the half hour, the former Lewes full-back now restored to a striker, scooping her finish high past the diving Moore.

There were many promising signs for this young Lewes side, who dominated possession, but with a worrying shortage of shots on goal. Worthing, more direct with Quayle, Lane, Emily Linscer and latterly Chloe Winchester all creating chances, only to find Emily Moore in none-shall-pass mood. HT 1-1.

The second half started with two wonderful second half saves from Emily Moore, both full-stretch to deny dipping efforts from former Lewes academy star Emily Linscer and Rowe. Worthing pressed hard and created chances, one tackle by Izzy Glass-Oliver on Sammy Quayle so well timed it might have been Swiss.

A familiar cameo from Paula Howells was a highlight of the second half, getting flattened by Humphrey in midfield then stuffed into the hoardings by the otherwise excellent Rowe, both Worthing players getting booked for their efforts.

Moore capped a solid evening in the gloves by rushing out to smother the advancing Quayle late in the second period, a save to keep Lewes in the tie.

Carpenter’s Exocet from outside the box to win the game in the 109th minute drew a collective intake of breath from the stands before unleashing a hearty, if slightly echoey, roar. Lending weight to the maxim that if you shoot now and then, you just might just score.

Lewes progress to the cup competition, Worthing drop into the plate.

Lewes: Moore, Brant, Schreimaier (sponsors ‘MvP), Glass-Oliver, Godfrey, Proctor, Eze, Fatuga-Dada, Curran, Roche, Adaway

Subs: Hunkin, Thomas, Carpenter, Gilligan, Howells

Attendance: 202

Supporters Club player of the match: Emily Moore. Without those two top-class saves in part two, this might have been over a lot earlier.