TOWN GET BILLY TO BE A HERO
Lewes lose two-goal lead
BILLY Bricknell played the role of super-sub to perfection, inspiring Enfield Town’s dramatic late comeback that maintained their unbeaten start to the league season.
Town were two goals down with nine minutes left when Bricknell, on the pitch for just ten minutes, struck twice inside two minutes to salvage a point from Lewes.
And a proud Enfield manager Andy Leese told The
NLP: “He does what he does. I think he’s the best finisher at this level.”
“We stuttered and huffed and puffed a bit today but two changes of shape in the second half got us back in it, and, well, that’s why we signed him.”
The visitors were on the front foot for most of the first half as Sam Chaney, Liam Hope and Youngs all looked to create the decisive opening.
But in the 42nd minute, Jonte Smith headed past keeper Joe Wright to put Lewes ahead with their first
clear chance of the afternoon.
Wright then tipped away Nico Cotton’s rasper. And, after the break, he denied James Hammond with another diving save.
But the Rooks spectacularly doubled their advantage on 59 minutes when Leon Redwood’s sharp cross was converted by Charlie Coppola’s acrobatic overhead kick.
The Es looked beaten but he introduction of Bricknell and Bilal Sayoud on 71 and 72 minutes turned the tables.
It took Bricknell ten minutes to find the net, taking the ball down neatly and slotting low past Rooks keeper Lewis Carey.
Lewes had hardly drawn a breath when he added his second in the very next attack with a dipping shot just beyond Carey.
Samuel Hatton saw red in added-time for a stamp on Coppola but the outcome was unaffected.
Lewes supremo Darren Freeman said: “If you’d have asked me this morning, I would have definitely taken a point.
“If you’d said we were two-up, I’d have said no.
“Enfield have had an extremely good run and to be two goals up against them was fantastic.
“I’m proud of the boys but I feel sorry for them as I know how much hard work and effort they put into these games.”
STAR MAN: Billy Bricknell (Enfield Town) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★