Over 900 hardy souls had their cockles warmed by a fine Rooks performance on Saturday as Lewes took all three points against the in-form Scholars, writes Ash Head (aka Rookmeister).

As the usual suspects huddled in the chill of the Terry Parris Terrace, Lewes kept the visitors honest with a series of attacks. When the officials managed to miss one of the defenders in sky blue sticking out an arm to deflect a firmly struck effort, it felt like it might be ‘one of those’.

What happened on 21 minutes was, however, unmissable. Dickinson, launching himself Cantona-style, to almost decapitate Archie Tamplin in front of the away bench. Before you could say ‘Brucie Bonus’ the ref had his red out and the offender was off to test the showers.

Three minutes later Lewes took the lead. Kalvin Lumbombo- Kalala picked up possession on the left of the box, won a series of 9s from the Strictly judges with the best hip action since Roger Millar, before curling a low effort into the bottom right corner.

The two sides exchanged yellows before Ola was tripped as his slid past the Town full-back. Penalty. Up stepped Tommy Wood and Lewes were two to the good. The first half fun wasn’t quite done. Into five added minutes and Prosper Keto doubled his personal tally of yellows, blocking Ola as he broke away after a decent spell of Potters Bar pressure.

Half time, 2-0 up and the visitors down to nine men. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, not too much, as it turns out. Within ten minutes of the restart Sanchez Ming marked his home debut with a well-struck finish. A cross from the left evaded everyone to rebound off the right post. The Town ‘keeper went full starfish, offering Ming the chance to fire home through his legs. 3-0 and the Philcox was bouncing.

Tony sent on Sablier and Gondoh for the excellent KLK and Whelpdale. Arthur Penny attempted his own goal-of-the-season montage, a sublime flicked header flying just wide before a dipping effort from down-town cleared the bar by the width of a vegan ‘dog. Tamplin, head still attached, joined the party with an ambitious volley that threatened the watching Lee Dixon in Beach Hut 4. 

FT 3-0. With a fixture list as congested as my dodgy chest, a welcome win against a decent side.
We might see you tonight at the Hashtag’s.

Lewes: Harvey, Ming, Elliott, Vint, Oguntayo, Penney, Whelpdale, Tamplin, Lumbombo-Kalala, Ogunwamide, Wood

Subs: Gondoh, Olukoga, Moore, Sablier, Pritchard

Supporters Club man of the match: Archie Tamplin. Full Chumbawumba – got knocked down and kept getting up again. Didn’t stop running. KLK a close second.

Match highlights from Your Instant Replay:

Boyesy’s brilliant photos: