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Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s Bostik Premier League game with Potters Bar Town. Here is your complimentary e-programme.

Bostik League and Respect logos

IN TODAY’S PROGRAMME

DARREN FROM THE DUGOUT

Hear Darren’s thoughts on today’s game by clicking the Play button below:

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, JONTE…

Our popular striker, Jonte Smith, has left the club to join League One Oxford United.

Jonte scored some outrageous strikes in his three years here at the Dripping Pan, where he notched 56 goals in 121 appearances.

It’s a move with mixed emotions for all of us at Lewes FC. On the one hand, we’re gutted to lose our top scorer, as well a player and a person of immense quality.

On the other hand, we’re delighted to see another of our players progress into the Football League.

Everyone at the club wishes Jonte well for his career in the Football League and hopes to see him smashing in the goals at Oxford United. Just hit the penalties a wee bit harder, eh Jonts?

THE BEER FESTIVAL CONTINUES…

We’ve still got plenty of beers and gin left over from last night’s Spirit of the Pan festival. So if you need something to take away the winter chill, get to the bar early. There might even be leftovers for Wednesday…

CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

Good afternoon and welcome back to The Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s Bostik Premier League game against Potters Bar Town. I’d like to welcome the fans, players, management and officials from Hertfordshire and hope they have a safe journey home.

Last Saturday we came away from Harlow Town not only pointless but with more injuries. Unfortunately, it appears that Leon will be joining Ronnie and Brinky on the sidelines for the rest of the season after his knee injury. With other players struggling we are down to the bare bones at the moment and Darren and Ross have been busy making calls this week to see who we can bring in. It’s a difficult time of the year to be trying to introduce new players into the squad and have them make an impact but we’ve really got no other choice, especially in defence.

We have some very good youngsters around the club but it’s hard for them and us just to be thrown in at the deep end. Harry has done brilliantly since we introduced him two years ago, but in most instances we need to get the youngsters experience in the county leagues, at least on a dual registration basis, which means they aren’t available for us at the weekends.

Whilst we’ve dropped points recently we are still in with a shout of the top-spot, coming into today’s game still in third place. We still have to play the top two, so we can close that gap but it’s important that we get back to winning ways especially at home. It’s interesting to see that a number of other sides around us have relatively poor home form, including Enfield Town and Worthing, so if we can improve here then we know our away form is play-off form at the very least.

Talking of the play-offs, we now know how they will work this season. As only six sides will be promoted from step 3 this season, the four league winners at this level will be promoted and joined by two ‘Super Play-off’ winners. The four normal play-off winners will have to play a further game, drawn at random to determine those two additional promotion places. Of course, the looming ground grading deadline may change the picture slightly so watch this space.

With three coming down from the National South it’s also likely that there will need to be another reshuffle. As I write these notes the bottom three in that league are too far west for the Isthmian Premier League, meaning we’d likely see the return of clubs like Hendon or Harrow Borough.

Don’t forget we are back here on Wednesday when Tonbridge Angels are the visitors.

Come on you Rooks!

Stuart

TODAY’S MATCH MUSIC

Today’s match playlist is compiled by our very own John Peel (not that one). He’s just taking some tranquilisers to get him in the mood, but the playlist will appear here before the game…

RECENT MATCH REVIEW

Lewes 0 vs Margate 0, Bostik Premier League, 23rd January 2019

It was last-minute drama as Margate left the Pan with a point. Lewes were awarded a hotly disputed penalty kick, but Jonte Smith’s strike was well saved by the Margate keeper. It was the last kick of the game and, ultimately, Jonte’s final act at the Pan. A cruel and undeserved way to go out.

Watch the match highlights from Your Instant Replay here:

Watch Ross Standen’s reaction to the game here:

And see James Boyes’ moody black and white images from the match below:

  • Hammo is on point
  • Olu powers out of the Parris end
  • Stacey obeys dad’s first lesson: keep your eye on the ball, son
  • Omarr Lawson, midfield director
  • Kieron Pamment gets the Margate treatment
  • Luke prays to the turf gods
  • It’s cuddle time at a corner
  • Dayshonne hurdles a slightly high challenge
  • Spot the ball
  • The ref points to the spot after a shove on Overton…
  • …but the keeper guessed the right way
Bostik League sponsors

TODAY’S OPPONENTS: POTTERS BAR TOWN

The club were founded in 1960 as Mount Grace Old Scholars, changing to simply Mount Grace in 1984, and known as Potters Bar Town FC since 1991.

They began life in the Barnet & District League, which merged with the Finchley & District League to form the North London Combination in 1965. Winning the league in 1968 took the club into the Hertfordshire County League. Two promotions took them to the Premier Division in 1974. Relegation in 1979 was swiftly followed by promotion again in 1982.

In 1991 they won the won the Hertfordshire Senior County League and moved up the South Midlands League Premier Division and changed their name to Potters Bar Town. In 1997 the club won the championship on goal difference. In the following season, the club were runners-up in the newly formed Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division North and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Vase.

In 2005 Potters Bar won the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Championship (along with the Premier Division Cup) and promotion to Division One East of the Southern League. They moved sideways to the Isthmian League Division One North a year later before being placed in the Southern League (Division One Central) for the 2013/14 season.

Last season Potters Bar were put back once again into the Isthmian League Division One North, finishing runners-up to secure automatic promotion to the Premier Division, where they currently lie 17th in the table.

MEET THE SQUAD

Lee O’Leary and Scott Cousins – Joint Managers

Here’s another side we need to watch closely, having two managers. Not only that, but the deviousness stretches to playing Lee in central midfield. Naturally he captains the side, and his former clubs include Wimbledon, Wealdstone, and Hendon. Coach Scott also played at Hendon, and St Alban’s City. The pair have held the Scholar’s reins since October.

Nikola Tzanev – Goalkeeper

Niko joined the Scholars on an initial month loan from AFC Wimbledon, stepping in for regular ‘keeper Berkley Laurencin who is serving out suspension following a straight red on 12 January. Niko is a 22 year-old who began his career at Brentford and has played at International level for New Zealand. Nik played briefly for the Rooks under Steve Brown.

James Budden – Defender

I can’t tell you much about James, except that he has made 30 appearances for the Scholars this term and picks up a Yellow every 3 or 4 games.

Chris Doyle – Defender

Known as “Doyley” to most, Chris is one of the longest serving players at Potters Bar Town with over 200 appearances for the side; previously with Wingate & Finchley and Broxbourne Borough.

Andrew Lomas – Defender

Andy is a left back who signed from Harrow Borough in October, whose previous clubs include Walton & Hersham and Northwood.

Sean Grace – Defender

Sean is described by Potters Bar Town as a commanding defender who has been with the club for three seasons.  He played youth football at Leyton Orient before a spell at Borehamwood.

Lewis Hobbs – Defender

Lewis is a central defender with a history in the game that you won’t find in these pages. What I can say is that he has been ever present in their side since joining from Hendon in mid-November.

George Nicholas – Midfielder

George, who joined from Harrow Borough in October is described as a talented midfielder who also played for Northwood. Another former Rook.

Stefan Powell – Midfielder

Stefan plays centre-midfield and was at MK Dons for a spell before he joined Beaconsfield Town. From there he moved to Potters Bar in November and has made 17 appearances.

Lee O’Leary – Midfielder Boss/Captain

See above.

Sean Bonnett-Johnson – Midfielder

Sean signed for the Scholars in December from Merstham and has 1 goal in 7 appearances.

Mahrez Bettache – Midfielder

Mahrez came through the youth system at Fulham where he spent 7 years. He plays as an attacking midfielder and joined the Scholars in November from Vanarama National league side Braintree Town.

Bradley Sach – Forward

Brad seems to have spent his career nipping back and forth between Boreham Wood FC and Potters Bar. This season he has made 34 appearances with a return of 8 goals in all competitions.

Dernell Wynter – Forward

Dernell has made 33 appearances this term returning 10 goals in all competitions. He previously played for Braintree, St. Albans and Enfield Town.

Ben Ward-Cochrane – Forward

Ben re-signed for the Scholars just 2 weeks ago, scoring in their 2-2 draw at Bognor Regis Town. He featured in the Scholars` promotion drive last season before signing earlier this season for South Central neighbours Hertford Town where he scored 6 goals in 13 appearances. Look out, look out, there’s a Ward-Cochrane about.

Keegan Cole – Forward

Keegan’s only got 4 goals in 33 outings since his move from Hendon in June. Here’s hoping he doesn’t take a match ball home today.

Josh Hutchinson – Forward

Josh joined the club in the 2012/13 season and has been an integral part of the side since. Said to be comfortable in central midfield or as a striker, Josh has a proven goal-scoring talent. Josh has already played in the Conference South with Billericay and appeared in the Ryman North for Cheshunt FC.

JOIN THE LEWES FC VETS

BECOME AN OWNER

It costs as little as ÂŁ40 to become an owner of Lewes FC. For that, you not only get the inner glow of helping your local community-owned football club, but you get great discounts from dozens of retailers in the Lewes area and nationwide. You can join instantly by clicking the button below.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN OWNER NOW!

GET YOUR BADGES!

Lewes FC is blessed to have a pair of great badge sellers, and now you can buy online as well as in person at The Dripping Pan.

Badgeman Brian has a website selling rare Rooks badges and badges from other clubs. If you’re missing something from your collection, pay a visit to Skoorbadges or Brian’s eBay site.

If you’re more of a bricks-and-mortar badger, than Gary Blaber’s huge range of badges can be seen at the top of the main Philcox stand, just as you enter the ground. Brian and Gary both make generous donations to the 12th Man Fund from the profits they make, so you’re helping the club while building your collection.

MISSING: EMILIANO SALA

As I write, Emiliano Sala as well as the pilot of the Piper PA-46 Malibu plane, Dave Ibbotson, remain missing without trace. Yet I wonder how many, but for the more committed football fanatics, had heard of Emiliano Sala before his fateful Cardiff bound flight on 21 January. Here at Lewes it would be unthinkable were we not to make mention of this tragedy intimately connected to the football world. Poignantly, the sister of the 28 year-old striker is reported to have set up a “go fund me” to continue the abandoned search for her brother.

By now, most of the superficial details have entered our consciousness. Argentinian Emiliano played for Nantes where he had scored 12 goals in 19 games this season. Cardiff boss Neil Warnock had just paid a club-record fee, about £15m, for his signature, and Emiliano’s joy of securing every footballer’s dream of playing in the English Premiership was before him.

By all accounts, the player was one of those young men not supremely gifted, but whose passion for the game combined with hard work honed a talent good enough to make a move to the Premiership a reality. Unfortunately, we’ll never know whether he could have made an impact on Cardiff’s fight against relegation, and establish Emiliano as a Premier League player.

Yet, more importantly, Emiliano seems to have been liked by all who knew him as one without self-importance, who loved reading and playing the guitar in his spare time. His disappearance was met with shock by fans who, like all fans, not only love a player who scores goals, but hold in the highest regard one who works and fights for his side. Such was his reputation.

That work ethic took Emiliano to the top of the game. He was sad to leave behind his friends in Nantes and the tearful tributes to him in France and Argentina summed up his popularity.

The 6ft 2in striker first signed for Bordeaux at 20 and made his senior debut for the club in February 2012. However, he failed to make more than a handful of appearances and, following loan spells at lower-league clubs, established his reputation with Nantes where he signed a five-year deal in July 2015.

We can imagine the young man’s excitement after he had said his goodbyes to his mates in Nantes, and boarded the plane to take him to his new life in the Welsh capital, tweeting a picture of his former colleagues with a heart emoji and fatefully “La ultima ciao” – the final goodbye. Not quite. His last message read “I am here in the plane that seems is about to fall to pieces. I’m scared.”

Emiliano Sala is still missing.

Paul Sheppard

It costs only ÂŁ50 to sponsor a player or manager for home or away Kit. ÂŁ25 for training kit and boots. All funds raised go to Lewes FC Supporters Club, helping to fund Lewes FC throughout the season.

Contact: david.arnold@me.com or see David or Barbara on match days.

DARREN FREEMAN
HOME: REG FREEMAN
AWAY: DAVE LAMB

ROSS STANDEN
HOME: DAVID & BARBARA ARNOLD
AWAY: CATHY FELTHAM

STEVE BRINKHURST
HOME: RON PIDGEON
AWAY:
TRAINING KIT & BOOTHS: ETHEL TREAGUS

FRANKIE CHAPPELL
HOME: ED BRIGGS
AWAY: ED BRIGGS
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS:  ED BRIGGS

DAYSHONNE GOLDING
HOME KIT: HAIR FOR MEN, 16 MARKET ST, LEWES

NICO COTTON
HOME: JAMES BRIGGS
AWAY: JAMES BRIGGS
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: JAMES BRIGGS

JAMES HAMMOND
HOME: ROOK, CANNON AND HORSE ASSOCIATES LTD
AWAY: LUCAS WARNER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: LUCAS WARNER

LUKE BLEWDEN
HOME: SUSIE ARLETT
AWAY:
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: SUSIE ARLETT

LLOYD COTTON:
HOME: STUART FULLER
AWAY: STUART FULLER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: STUART FULLER

BILLY MEDLOCK
HOME: DAVE LAMB
AWAY: DAVE LAMB

STACEY FREEMAN
HOME: ROGER WARNER
AWAY: ROGER WARNER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: ROGER WARNER

HARRY REED
HOME: ANDY ROSSITTER
AWAY: SAM & JOE BARKER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS:

LEWIS CAREY
HOME: DAVID & BARBARA ARNOLD
AWAY:
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS:

RONNIE CONLON
HOME: NEIL FINNEY
AWAY: LUCAS WARNER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: SUSIE ARLETT

JONTE SMITH
HOME: BARRY HAFFENDEN
AWAY: JASON FOULKES
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: LUCAS WARNER

OMARR LAWSON
HOME: TONY HARMAN
AWAY: YEOVIL JOHN
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: LUCAS WARNER

MICHAEL DOME-BEMWIN
HOME: DAVE EVANS

LEON REDWOOD
HOME: WILL & COLIN KEMP

CLUB SHOP MANAGER, BARRY HAFFENDEN
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY HAIR FOR MEN, 16 MARKET ST, LEWES

If you wish to sponsor a player, contact David Arnold at the Supporters Club.

STODGEBUSTERS ON TOUR

The Stodgebusters were a man short for this trip. PJ was committed to take his other half to a hospital appointment after submitting to a reverse figure four arm lock. The original plan was to take the train but that was scuppered when we found the final leg of the journey between Cheshunt and Harlow would have to be taken on a rail replacement bus. The Stodgebusters very rarely do buses so we needed to look at an alternative way to get there.

Thankfully mini bus driver Clive came to the rescue with the offer of taking the remaining breakfast munchers by road. At 10.30 Gary, Malcolm and Roly climbed aboard with some of the management team for the drive to deepest Essex. After a pick up at Pease Pottage services we had a very chilled out Jonte sitting next to us.

The trip up the M25 and M11 passed by without a hitch and even the notorious Dartford Tunnel couldn’t slow us down. 

We arrived about 1pm and dropped off the few players we had on board. Luckily Clive had spotted a cafe just before the ground which the Stodgebusters had all missed. He offered to take us there for some pre-match lunch which got a unanimous thumbs up. The cafe was actually on an industrial estate and looked a bit basic but we went for it! Clive actually became a Stodgebuster for the day and decided to join us. Four  breakfasts were ordered and consumed and very good they were as well. After extra teas and coffees it was back on the minibus to the ground. We didn’t want to outstay our welcome as the cafe closed at 2pm.

When we got into the ground it was interesting to notice that the main stand had about 12 different flags of all shapes and sizes hanging up. As the game kicked off there must have been one flag for every fan in the stand. Also noticeable was a huge Poundland warehouse next to the ground. One could only imagine the thousands of pounds worth of quality merchandise concealed within.

After a few minutes of play it soon became obvious that a footballing feast would not be on offer. The wind had started to get up and the pitch was causing virtually every Lewes pass to be overhit. Rather than holding up the ball seemed to speed up over the artificial surface and was causing nearly every pass to go astray. We got to half time goalless and hoped for better after the break.

The first thing to happen in the second half resulted in a Harlow penalty although there was a huge delay before it was taken after a debate with virtually every player and official on the pitch being involved. Eventually the penalty was taken and we were a goal down. Just four minutes later it was all square as Dayshonne fired in a rebound after the Harlow keeper had parried Leon’s strike into his path. Now could we go and win it? The answer was no as a home counter attack ended with a scruffy strike that went in via the post. In spite of late pressure we were unable to equalise again and we trooped off after having been beaten by a very average Harlow team.

The home fans in the bar afterwards were very happy their team were out of the bottom three but they still look like relegation candidates to me.

The drive home was accompanied by pouring rain which just about summed the day up. PJ wasn’t happy either. The hospital appointment that he had to miss his first game of the season for turned out to be a waste of time. Thanks again to Clive for the lift and to the club for allowing us to travel. This never happened in Steve King’s time as manager!

Next up for the Stodgebusters? A trip to Corinthian Casuals on February 9th.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

OPPONENTSH/ADATE
Tonbridge AngelsHWeds 6th Feb, 7:45pm
Corinthian CasualsASat 9th Feb, 3pm
Dorking WanderersHSat 16th Feb, 3pm

Click here for a full fixtures list

Click here for our full season stats and line-ups

TODAY’S TEAMS

Teams will appear here when announced…

LEWES

LEWIS CAREY 1
HARRY REED 2
HENRI WILDER 3
MICHAEL DOME-BEMWIN 4
FRANKIE CHAPPELL Š 5
STACEY FREEMAN 6
KIERON PAMMENT 7
JAMES HAMMOND 8
LUKE BLEWDEN 9
OMARR LAWSON 10
DAYSHONNE GOLDING 11
CALLUM OVERTON 12
OLUMIDE OLUWATIMILEHIN 14
THOMAS DAY 15
SAM KARL 16

POTTERS BAR TOWN

1 NIK TZANEV
2 CHRISTOPHER DOYLE Š
3 ANDREW LOMAS
4 MAHREZ BETTACHE
5 JAMES BUDDEN
6 SEAN GRACE
7 STEFAN POWELL
8 LEE O’LEARY
9 JOSHUA HUTCHINSON
10 SEAN BONNET-JOHNSON
11 BEN WARD-COCHRANE
12 GEORGE NICHOLAS
14 DERNELL WYNTER
15 BRADLEY SACH
16  
17 KEEGAN COLE

CREDITS AND LEGAL

“The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.” (The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162).The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.”

Lewes 2000 FC Limited. Registered in England and Wales with Company Registration Number 03790979. Lewes 2000 FC Limited is 100% owned by Lewes Community Football Club.

Honorary President Terry Parris
Chairman Stuart Fuller
Directors Ed Briggs, Charlie Dobres, Karen Dobres, Stuart Fuller, Steve Keegan, Galia Orme, John Peel, Ed Ramsden, Roger Warner, Trevor Wells
Club Secretary John Peel
Match Secretary David Evans
Youth Secretary Kevin Brook
Operations Manager Warren Lane

Equality FC Campaign Manager Karen Dobres

Life Members
Mr and Mrs Brook, Vic Blunt, Pat Dartnell, Gary Elphick, Gordon Fowlie, Peter Hiscox RIP, Billy Nixon, Derrick Parris, Terry Parris, Jimmy Quinn, P. Swaysland, Steve Ibbitson, Jason Hopkinson, Steve White, Martin Elliot, Kevin Fingerneissl, Kevin Powell, David and Barbara Arnold, Roger and Cathy Feltham, Ethel Treagus, Roy Dartnell RIP, Ron Moore, Derek Southouse, Ray Smith, Ken Carter RIP

Manager Hugo Langton
First team coach Dale Hurley
First team physio Katie Joynes
Goalkeeping coach John MaCrae
Under-18s Manager Dale Hurley
Under-18s Assistant Manager Craig Stevens
Under-18s coaches Jake Legrange and Johnny Buggy

Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editor Stuart Fuller
Progcast Editors Paul Sheppard and Stuart Fuller
Progcast Designer Barry Collins
Club Photographer James Boyes