Continuing our series of featured players, this time it’s popular midfielder, Lewis Benson.

1

Lewis in typical action at the Ray Mac during the 3-2 win over Yate Town on the August Bank Holiday weekend. No goal for him on this occasion, although he had a difficult chance just before the end, but Toby Holmes finished with a hat trick.

2

Crossing the ball is Lewis and here he’s doing it again in the 1-0 victory over Portland in the FA Cup 2nd qualifying round on 21 September.

3

A well-known sight, surging forward and leaving defenders in his wake, this time during the match against Hartley Wintney on 28 September. On that occasion he added a second goal just before half time to complete the scoring in a 2-0 win.

4

The match report said……. “Lewis Benson who, with some composure, cut inside and scored with a left foot finish – yes, a left foot finish – one for the scrapbook Lewis maybe?” Never thought we would actually have a scrapbook when that was written!
Here’s the proof that he can score with either foot.

5

That deserves a hug! No worries about social distancing in those days.

6

Battling down the wing against another team in blue, but the blues descended on the Whites as they went down 2-4 to Margate in the FA Cup at the Ray Mac on 5 October although Lewis found the back of the net again with Salisbury’s first goal in the 59th minute…

7

…by means of a ‘Lewis Special’ free kick that fooled everybody – including our photographers who unfortunately couldn’t capture the moment! In the words of Alan Sugar… “You’re…….!”
In fairness to our snappers, (forgive the journalise, guys!), when Benson bends ‘em, usually from some distance, it would take an army of photographers and cameras to capture the whole effect!

8

Rising high – against Harrow Borough during the 3-1 victory at home on 19 October after a tough encounter with Taunton. After the Harrow match Steve Claridge said that his side had looked “a little leggy”, but Lewis defied the odds with this leap!

9

Here again, another leap of faith and keeping his eye on the ball, but that was to no avail during the 1-0 defeat at Hayes & Yeading on 16 November.

10

Fifty-fifty challenge and a fifty-fifty game which ended all square 2-2 at Eastbourne in the FA Trophy on 14 December.

11

Trying his luck during the first half of the home game against Wimborne on Boxing Day before later playing his part with an assist…

12

… before scoring a free kick special at the end of the game to complete the 3-1 score line. Again, from the report… “the score line was made to look more representative when Lewis Benson fired in a free-kick special. If Bayston’s opening goal (for Wimborne) had created a memory then this free-kick should remain as such for a long time, although I’d accept another one please! The same top corner which had greeted the ball from Bayston’s finish welcomed Benson’s 25 yard effort, with both finishes being remarkably similar in terms of the amount of bend and curl put on the ball.”

13

And that deserves special praise – but you can get off your knees Shaq!

14

Keep up with me if you can … but not even Lewis can withstand the might of Truro as they triumphed 3-0 at the Ray Mac on 18 February.

15

One for the photographers – perfect symmetry in soaring high during the 2-0 victory over Hendon at home on 22 February.

16

Cutting inside in typical Benson style (sometimes he likes a more central role) – during another win, this time against Merthyr Town on 7 March.

17

In the game against Harrow Borough that ended 2-2 and included four penalties, Lewis didn’t want to miss the chance of taking one, and didn’t miss the chance to convert! Here he is scoring the Whites’ second goal in the final seconds of the game, and as that was the last action of the current campaign his success probably means that he’ll become the “Man on the Spot” when it all starts up again. Are you happy with that Lewis?!

All images are reproduced by kind permission of our photographers, Michael Berkeley and Roger Elliott and are copyright, so they should not be reproduced. Please seek agreement should you wish to do so, by contacting our Press Officer Alec Hayter on [email protected] or on 07884 477168 when any requests can be forwarded. The Club would like to thank Michael and Roger for the images, Alec for some of the words, and Ian Pearson for his website expertise, as part of the effort to alleviate football withdrawal symptoms! Roll on next kick off!

Ian Pearson
April 14, 2020

Ian Pearson

Media & Website Manager