Staines Town kicked off their second season in Blue Square South with a well-earned three points on Saturday.

A car accident on the way to the game almost robbed the home side of André Scarlett, but he was bandaged up and passed fit to play, and proceeded to give a masterful display in midfield, as Staines dominated the first half.

Scarlett saw a shot ricochet dangerously across the Lewes goal, and Darty Brown’s pass led to a Leroy Griffiths drive being blocked. Taylor fired over from a Griffiths pull-back, and the same player then fed Richard Butler whose shot was well saved by the diving Chris Winterton.

When Michael Kamara drove just over after a Scarlett free kick, Staines fans were starting to worry that they may come to rue the missed chances.

However, their fears were allayed on 39 minutes, when referee Butler played a good advantage as Scarlett was tripped, Staines surged forwards, Butler played Leroy Griffiths in, and he finished clinically in the bottom corner.

Anthony Barness exploited a rare gap in the home defence, but was unable to snatch an equaliser on the stroke of half time.

The second half did not live up to the first, however, as the sides largely cancelled each other out. René Steer had an excellent competitive début as a Staines fullback, and Kamara did well to foil Lewes’ best chance when Rob Gradwell burst through.

Staines: Wells; Jackson, Steer, Gordon ©, Kamara, Risbridger, S Taylor (Charles-Smith 89), D Brown, Griffiths, Butler (Chaaban 89); unused King, Harris, Orlu.

Lewes: Winterton, Barness ©, Hamilton (Cobbs 65), Breach, Pearson, Manning, Ide, Wormull, Gradwell, Murphy (Hopkinson 49), Sutton; unused Rivers, Leach, Fenwick.

Ref: S Butler.

Att 411.