FA Vase: Rooks can go all the way

The Ryman League division two side outclassed the visitors and the outcome rarely looked in doubt once hat-trick hero Dominic Shepherd put Rooks ahead after only three minutes.

Assistant manager Billy Nixon, in charge while boss Jimmy Quinn holidays in Spain, was positive about Lewes' chances in this prestigious non-league cup competition.

He said: "If we can get a good draw, we can go all the way. There's nobody in the Vase who frightens us. We have a good squad and we'll be adding to it."

Nixon's upbeat outlook was echoed by striker Shepherd.

He said: "I think we can have a really good run in the Vase. At the moment, I can't see us losing to anybody."

Shepherd tormented the Alton defence and although he was pleased with his treble admitted he might have scored more.

He said: "I could have had a couple more but a bit of tiredness got to me.

"I am getting fitter, though. I'd only played in a couple of games this season before the match and it is nice to get a hat-trick on my return."

Shepherd started the game because top scorer Sam Francis was on holiday, but now the in form striker does not want to be displaced.

He said: "If I keep this up I should stay in the team. The hat-trick has certainly boosted my confidence."

The Lewes No. 9 opened the scoring when he headed in a Paul Stokes free-kick and he got the second on eight minutes as he ran onto a long ball down the middle to steer it past on-rushing goalkeeper Mark Cole.

Shepherd had further chances to extend his side's lead before he made it 3-0 in the 45th minute. A deft flick-on from Justin Harris sent him clear and the striker waltzed round Cole to slot the ball right- footed into the empty net.

Harris added his name to the scoresheet two minutes after the re-start to effectively end the game as a contest. He received a pass from the excellent Stokes and, with the visitors' defence appealing for offside, Harris side-footed the ball in from the edge of the box.

Seventeen-year-old substitute Lee Newman got in on the fun in the 48th minute. He poked in a loose ball from six yards to make it 5-0.

Mark Clothier salvaged some pride for John Robson's side when he reduced the arrears with a sizzling right-foot shot from 30 yards that flew into Ross Standen's top left-hand corner.

But Lewes missed several opportunities to double their total.

Nixon said: "I'm amazed at some of the chances the lads missed. I counted at least five that I would consider certain goals in a normal game. The boys had their heads down and were smashing it everywhere apart from the net. I think they took their foot off the accelerator when they went 2-0 up. Anyway 5-1 is what the records will show and that's what we will be happy with."

Quinn has been in contact with Nixon from southern Spain and, after the Rooks' two wins in his absence, will return today positively glowing.

County League side Three Bridges were pipped 3-2 at home against high-flying Ryman League division two Banstead Athletic.

Pat Massaro had given Bridges the lead but Banstead were 2-1 ahead before Steve Banks struck to level the before the break. Banstead grabbed the winner in the 62nd minute but two dismissals in the final ten minutes following bad fouls saw them clinging on at the final whistle.

Bridges manager Darren Barker said: "We should have got something out of the game.

"They won more through physical strength than their football but we were without five regulars and, if we had had them available, could have matched them in that department."

Horsham YMCA also had a player sent off in the closing minutes as Ellis Hooper was adjudged to have handled on the goal-line and Sean Randell scored his eighth goal of the season from the resulting penalty to secure a 2-1 win for hosts Ringmer.

Ringmer boss Glen Geard said: "The ball hit the lad on the line but it was a bit harsh to send him off. However, we should have had the game wrapped up by then as we had created the chances but our finishing was not very clever."

John Suter's YM side had taken the lead after five minutes through Andrew Price but Glen Davies levelled with a header from a corner.

Redhill picked up a 1-0 victory at Kent League outfit Whitstable Town as manager Russell Mason's preparation paid off.

Mason said: "We had them watched three times and planned how we were going to play them. We also travelled down the night before, stayed in a hotel and got the players nice and relaxed for the match which we were widely tipped to lose.

"We stuck to the plan and got the victory we deserved."

Goalkeeper Mike Lidbury was the hero in the first half, saving a disputed penalty and Nicky White produced the winning goal on 54 minutes when he converted a cross by Andrew Walsh from 25 yards. Germain Amanuel had a first-half effort ruled out for Redhill.

Southwick were also victors on the road, beating Combined Counties premier division Merstham 2-1 after fighting back from 1-0 down after 20 minutes.

Jack Dineen levelled from the penalty spot just before half time following a handball and Tony Holden fired home the winner with two minutes left after a shot by Derren Woods deflected into his path.

Manager Bob Hitchcock said: "They were not a great side but we had two or three players out and battled hard for the win."

Goals by Darren Annis, Kristian Bridle and Tony Miles steered Wick to a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Camberley Town.

Wick coach Paul Croft said: "It was a 3-0 win but it could have been 7-0. It was one of those games.

"We are at home to Slade Green in the next round and hopefully we can keep pushing on. We feel we've got a chance."