Jonte Smith and his Lewes Football Club teammates got the new year off to the worst possible start after being out-battled by Horsham in the Sussex derby, reports Stuart Fuller.
The visitors who took the lead in the 23rd minute when Lewis Hyde headed home unmarked and unchallenged five yards out from a corner on the left.
Horsham’s second goal was worthy of a bigger stage. Former Lewes player George Branford controlled a ball nearly 30 yards out, allowed it to bounce once then smashed it home to double the visitors lead.
Lewes came out for the second half looking to quickly get back into the game when Jonté Smith acrobatically turned in a bouncing ball from a Jamie Brotherton cross to make it 2-1.
Despite a late flurry of activity Lewes couldn’t find another goal and suffered their first home league defeat since early October.
