Sunday November 18th 2002
Lewes 0 Stoke City 2
What a day. Sitting here even now it seems scarcely believable that it actually happened. But happen it did, and despite all my fears in the days leading up to the game, the lads did us proud.
After weeks of various combinations and countless speculation, Jimmy Quinn eventually named all of those who I had hoped would be included in the starting eleven. Mark McCallum and Chris Dicker both got the nod, although I did feel sorry for Dominic Shepherd, such an instrumental part of our progress thus far, but ultimately a victim of the need to try and keep things tight, and hence named amongst the five substitutes.
It was clear from kick-off that Stoke were taking us seriously, and it was soon a case of all hands to the pump to keep them at bay, with Ross Standen making the first of several excellent saves to keep the sides level. After a quarter of an hour the Rooks had a golden opportunity to take a shock lead, when Dicker challenged the Stoke keeper and the ball ran loose. However the angle proved too acute for the Lewes man and his shot ran agonisingly across the face of the goal.
Sadly within a couple of minutes the Potters had taken advantage of their good fortune by moving into the lead, when Handyside bundled the ball in from close range following a corner. The scoreboard said seventeen minutes, and I began to fear the worst for not the first time on this Cup run. I should have known better, as once again our heroes refused to buckle and continued to withstand the onslaught. Paul Thomsett was magnificent at the back, ably supported as ever by McCallum, Marc Cable and Stuart Hack, and half time arrived with the score still at 1-0.
Early in the second half the Lewes defence was again undone by a corner, although this time the finish was far from scrappy, with Gunnarsson guiding a great header past Standen. Still no wavering though, and when Shepherd came on to join Francis the Stoke defence suddenly started to look a bit nervy. Substitute Andy Johnson curled a free kick just wide after Thomas had escaped being sent off for fouling Shepherd when he was clean through, and then when our Dom was sent through again, he hit the outside of the post. Paul Stokes almost capped a superb performance with a goal in the dying seconds, but after a great run into the box past several defenders he was thwarted by a last-ditch challenge.
So glory in defeat and a result which few would have believed possible. Time to go back to real life now - bring on Sidlesham on Tuesday night.......
TEAM
Ross Standen - his finest performance for the Rooks. The save low down to his right near the end was the pick of three magnificent saves. (9)
Justin Harris - whilst clearly hampered by his hand injury, he gave everything he dared. (7)
Cameron Johnson - a few uncertain moments, but also some crucial interventions. (7)
Mark McCallum - playing out of position but as utterly reliable as ever. (8)
Stuart Hack - won nearly every header for which he challenged. (8)
Marc Cable - courageous and determined - a true leader (8)
Chris Dicker - will have nightmares about that chance, but needs to remember he also created it out of nothing. (7)
Paul Stokes - he was simply outstanding today - I have seen him have good games over the past year, but none better than this. (10)
Sam Francis - ran his socks off, and caused some problems when Shepherd came on.(8)
Paul Thomsett - a masterful display of how to play the sweeper role. (10)
Ross Venables - worked very hard and made one great run into the box (7)
SUBSTITUTES
Andy Johnson (for Dicker) - Tenacious tackling and one great free kick. (7)
Dominic Shepherd (for Venables) - plenty of enthusiasm and came the closest to making a breakthrough. (7)
Matt Beeston (for Harris) - unlucky not to start and certainly put plenty of energy into his ten minutes on the pitch. (7)
