Chris Marchant knows his young Lewes side are going to be good.

That is why the Lewes coach is prepared to swallow disappointing defeats like Saturday’s 4-1 reverse at home to lowly Wycombe.

Lewes, who were playing in the national league just a few years ago, are now treading water in South Premier division two but Marchant is confident about the future.

He said: “We are in a lot stronger position than we were two years ago.

“We have 15 or 16 talented young players who have never played at this level before who are learning all time.

“Chris Spruce, who has just turned 17, is a prime example. Last year he was playing centre forward for the third team, now he is right-back in the South League and has been opening people’s eyes. He has been outstanding.

“Chris Heal, who is just 18 and who joined us from Mid Sussex, is another. He is learning all the time.

“Underneath this set of players we have bundles of young players waiting to come through.

“A lot of other coaches are saying we are going to be really good in a couple of years. When we are good we are really good but we have to take the rough with the smooth now.”

Mike Newman, 18, scored for Lewes against Wycombe but it was their failure to take other chances that cost them.

Marchant added: “We had 28 chances and scored one, which shows you where the problem is. We hit the post three times, missed a penalty stroke and had ten penalty corners. The problem for us is if we are not quite good enough we get punished.”

In division one, Chichester lost 6-4 in the top of the table clash with leaders Fareham but player-coach Ben Barnes insists the title race is not over.

Fareham, who boast four South Africans in their ranks, have now won ten out of ten and are five points clear of Chi, who were unbeaten before Saturday’s game.

Barnes said: “They have decided to go down the import route. We have chosen to go with home-grown players and we were very proud of them on Saturday, particularly in the second half.

“Fareham will be missing their South Africans in January so it definitely isn’t over yet, there is a long way to go and still 36 points to play for.”

Will Blockley (two), Adam Barnes and Barnes scored for Chi, who paid the penalty for conceding three goals in a five-minute spell in the first half. Teenager Alex Thacker was excellent in defence.

Brighton and Hove remain bottom of the table after a 2-0 defeat away to Maidstone.

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