Five-goal rout as Siggy and Cade run riot

Manager Steve King fielded the team that beat Sutton United 2-0 the previous Wednesday with Jean-Michel Sigere and Jamie Cade paired up front and Karl Beckford benefiting from a free role.

The visitors were stylish and solid. Their passing was quick and accurate, allowing them to expose a poor home defence that had no midfield cover. On the few occasions that Basingstoke moved forward it was Route One and Lewes had the height to snuff out the attacks.

After 25 minutes Cade missed badly when well set in front of goal but only moments later redeemed himself. A Beckford cross was flicked on by Sigere and Cade volleyed crisply to put the visitors into the lead.

The hectic pace of the first half-hour and the many attacks by the Rooks drew attention but the Sussex side were effective all over the park, Djoumin Sangare dealing with any moves down the left side.

The Rooks scored their second on 36 minutes when a long through ball was controlled deftly by Sigere, who slotted home comfortably. And it should have been 3-0 when he was fed by Mark Wright and squandered a chance from close range.

Seconds later the quicksilver Beckford shrugged off two challenges and crossed low for Sigere to make no mistake.

Basingstoke had only one shot on goal in a first half which the visitors dominated completely. Ten minutes into the second half there came the move of the afternoon when, underlining his all-round abilities, Sigere sent a raking, inch-perfect ball to Beckford whose attempt at a chip was only a yard wide.

Shortly before the hour-mark Stoke's Jason Bristow attempted to lob Wilkerson and there was a moment of alarm when the Rooks keeper appeared to misjudge its flight. A minute later Wayne Heath exploited a rare Lewes error and found space before crossing to Argentinean debutant Miguel Basualdo, who volleyed powerfully on the turn, giving Wilkerson no chance.

Basingstoke shipped another with 20 minutes to go as a crisp, low Beckford pass left Cade well positioned and he scored his second with a deft finish.

It was only fitting that man-of-the-match Beckford should also get on the scoresheet. Sigere beat Scott Smith and passed to substitute Kirk Watts, whose first-time flick to Beckford was precise. One-on-one with Searle, Beckford rounded the keeper to make it 5-1.

Simon Wormull bossed things from midfield, Beckford was wonderfully creative and the Lewes defence hardly made a mistake all afternoon.

Lewes: Wilkerson, Lovett, Wright, Robinson, Sangare, Kennett (Gomes 72), Wormull, Beckford (Foyewa 79), Harkin (Watts 22), Cade, Sigere. Unused subs: Fontana, Legge.

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