Travis Lewis scores twice as Windsor FC maintain impressive start to season

Travis Lewis. Credit Leighton Rudd

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Windsor FC appear to have picked up a gem in Travis Lewis after he scored twice this week to help the club maintain its positive start to the Combined Counties League 1 season.

The Jacks are fifth in the early season standings - having lost just once so far - and this week they backed up last week's impressive 5-2 win at FC Deportivo Galicia with a narrow 1-0 win over Colliers Wood United and a hard-earned draw with Spartans Youth.

Lewis netted the winner in Saturday's clash with Colliers, giving the visitors a 28th minute lead they held onto diligently through to the final whistle.

It looked like his magnificent curling free kick may do the same for The Jacks at Holloways Park on Tuesday night, however, Spartans had other ideas and a purple patch at the start of the second half saw them deservedly draw level through Samuel Doddo.

Windsor had the better of the closing stages at a ground that's really starting to feel like home in their second season ground sharing with Beaconsfield, but they were unable to take one of their many half-chances and the points were shared.

Reflecting on another positive week, club director Kevin Stott believes new boss Matt Stowell can keep this improving side in play-off contention this season

“We won 1-0 on Saturday with a goal in the first half from Travis Lewis,” said Stott.

“He’s proving to be an asset goal wise this season. He’s got five in four games so far.

“A thoroughly entertaining game in which we had most of the chances and we managed to nick the win, 1-0.

“Likewise, had Colliers been a bit less profligate in front of goal they might have got something from the game, but they didn’t. But both teams contributed to a good game on a fast-moving pitch.

“On Tuesday night we dominated the first half in terms of possession and thoroughly deserved to go in at half-time in front. Travis Lewis again, scoring from a free kick on the left side of the penalty area.

“He’s on form and he wanted to take it and God bless him he curled a beautiful shot over the wall and into the net. It was worth the entrance fee alone.

“I think we came out for the second half with an expectation that we would add to that lead, but Spartans had other ideas. In the first 10/15 minutes they really put us under pressure and their number nine scored and they deserved that frankly.

“But we responded well and for the final 30 minutes we once again dominated the ball and created lots of half chances but never really looked like we were going to score, which was frustrating. Spartans set themselves up well tactically.

“They knew we were probably fitter and could out pass them. They just sat back and looked to beat us on the counterattack. It was an entertaining game, and it kept us in the play-off positions.

“That’s our ambition for this year. I don’t think we’ve got enough to win a championship, but we’ve come on enough with this young group to compete in the play-offs. I’d be more than pleased with that.”

Windsor sit fifth in the table, five points adrift of leaders Windsor & Eton ahead of Friday's home clash with PFC Victoria London and Monday's game against the league leading Royalists at Stag Meadow.

That one is sure to be a feisty clash - given that Windsor FC used to hold the lease for the ground with the Crown Estate. And they go into the game with an extra day’s rest after playing on the Friday night before Windsor 7 Eton visit Yateley on Saturday.