In Lieu Of Lewi

LEWIS Alessandra was an unexpected absentee from the Pilgrims’ 1-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday.

Whilst the forward was expected to start the evening fixture for the Greens, his name was a notable exception from the teamsheet and his team-mates were unable to prevent Wycombe triumphing by the only goal of the game – a 36th-minute header from former Pilgrim Paul Hayes.

Sheridan admitted that losing Lewis for the game, along with Dominic Blizzard and Marvin Morgan – the latter celebrating the recent birth of his child – played a part in his side’s defeat.

Said John: “It didn’t help, obviously, with Dom, Marvin and Lewis missing out. With Lewis, it was right before the kick-off, with flu.

“I think we missed those players, especially Lewi. He was playing – it was two minutes before the teamsheet, so he was down to play. He was in the physio’s room, and he was just in a bad way.

“He said, earlier, that he did not feel too good, but he felt alright to play. Obviously he is an important player for us, and I left it to the last minute.

“Even 15 minutes before kick-off, Paul  [Atkinson, the head physio] has rang me in my room and said he is alright, but when I came in to name the team they called me in the physio’s room and told me he did not feel well at all.

“He is a big player for us, because of his work-ethic and his willingness to get at players, and get them on the back foot.”