Smith in rich vein of scoring form
Jonté Smith continued his superb scoring form during Lewes’ impressive 3-0 away win against South Park in the Ryman Football League yesterday.
James Hammond scored a brace either side of Smith’s 74th-minute tally as the visiting side had things all their own way. Smith went into yesterday’s league match with his confidence soaring after notching an impressive brace of his own in Lewes’ emphatic 4-0 home drubbing of East Grinstead Town at the Dripping Pan 24 hours earlier.
The son of Clay Smith, the Bermuda cricket coach, opened his account against East Grinstead in the 28th minute when he pounced on a defensive blunder.
A through ball, which appeared to have been covered, hit a defender and rolled invitingly into the path of Smith, who slid the ball under the advancing goalkeeper.
The Bermuda striker was gifted another opportunity by the visiting side’s generous defence but this time placed his effort narrowly wide.
However, the striker would not be denied three minutes into the second half with a curling left-footed shot from just outside the box that gave the goalkeeper no chance. Matt George made it 3-0 three minutes later with a low shot into the far corner for his first goal for the East Sussex club before Wilfried Grimaud capped the home side’s lopsided victory after charging down a poor clearance by the goalkeeper and rolling the ball into the empty net.
“Obviously Jonté’s goal [second] was fantastic and I think Wilf’s last goal summed it all up really, the work rate in the second half and chasing lost causes. said Darren Freeman, the Lewes coach, of his team’s win last weekend.
“There were some good goals there, some good play and some good individual performances. As a team it was a good day at the office and we’ve kept a clean sheet, and that’s what I like.”
n Devonshire Colts will return to the venue where they were relegated six days ago to face Somerset Trojans in a Premier Division make-up match at Goose Gosling Field tonight at 9pm.
Colts were relegated after losing 4-0 against rejuvenated Premier Division champions Dandy Town who have all but secured their top-flight status.
Tonight’s match will be followed by the two FA Cup semi-finals tomorrow and Thursday. Holders Robin Hood will face PHC Zebras — who have won the competition a record ten times — at Somerset Cricket Club tomorrow night at 8pm. Thursday’s remaining FA Cup semi-final will pit last season’s runners-up Town against North Village at Goose Gosling Field at 9pm.
The Bermuda Football Association have announced that the Premier Division match on March 25 featuring leaders Hood against relegation-threatened Somerset Eagles at Goose Gosling Field will now take place on March 30 at the same venue. Kick off is 9pm.