Sevenoaks Town’s best ever run in the Isuzu sponsored FA Trophy came to end with a Third Qualifying Round defeat at The Dripping Pan on Saturday.
Oaks two best chances of the game came even before late comers in a 500 plus crowd had settled in their places on a sunny Autumn day in East Sussex.
Led by Kyle De Silva with club captain Corey Holder on the bench, ahead the upcoming FA Cup tilt against Ebbsfleet, the visitors made a rapid start straight from the kick-off.
Dan Hector’s goal bound shot was touched over the bar by home keeper Lewis Carey, then Karn Miller-Neave’s corner was headed wide of the far post byMatthew Weaire.
Tyler McCarthy kept things level with a super full length save to deny Rowan Silva Rooks, leaving boss Tony Russell and assistant Joe Vines repeatedly frustrated by wayward shooting wasting several good openings.
Razz Coleman De-Graft and Ayodeji Olukoga both fired over from close-range – either side of Hector seeing his low left footed strike bounce off Carey’s post and away to safety – Moore and Silva again missing the target just before half-time.
Weaire. playing against his former club, had a busy afternoon, clearing a second half effort off the line.
The eventual winner came shortly after Oaks made a double-change – Lewes’ quick burst ending with Deon Moore’s 62nd minute strike.
Yahaya Bamba fired over as Oaks looked to level, Hector slipping on the edge of the box looking to shoot.
Manny Mensah’s all round display caught the eye throughout – his cross just eluded another ex-Lewes man Freddie Parker, before Weaire saw his close-range header saved as the clock ticked down in a lengthy spell of added time.
Sevenoaks Town: Tyler McCarthy, Dami Olorunnisomo, Karn Miller-Neave (Sammy Johnson 60 mins), Emmanuel Mensah, Matthew Weaire, Lexus Beeden, Kyle De Silva (Bentley Graham 60mins), Daniel Hector (Omari Hibbert 77 mins), Freddie Parker, Ryan Gondoh, Yahaya Bamba.
