Welcome to The Dripping Pan for our BetVictor Isthmian Premier League game with Bowers & Pitsea. Here is your complimentary matchday programme, which we call the Progcast.
In today’s issue (click the link to jump to that section):
- Ross on the Record
- Chairman’s Notes
- Live match updates
- Today’s match music
- Recent match review
- Today’s opponents
- Rare Pitsea badge for sale
- Fan-tastic achievement
- Away-day Guide: Margate
- Sponsor your favourite player
- A cautionary tale
- Stodgebusters on Tour
ROSS ON THE RECORD
Hear Assistant Manager Ross Standen’s thoughts on today’s game by clicking the Play button below:
CHAIRMAN’S NOTES
Good afternoon and welcome back to the Pan for this afternoon’s BetVictor Isthmian Premier League game against Bowers & Pitsea. This is the first ever meeting at a senior level between the two clubs and I’d like to personally welcome the fans, players, officials and management team to our humble home and hope their journey back is kind.
I think few would have said we didn’t deserve our equaliser last week against a strong Enfield Town side. Our new match analysis software backed up the fact we dominated the game, with over 60% possession, more passes complete and more shots on goal than our opponents. But it’s goals that win games and we need to work on that. As a new feature in our progcasts, we will provide some stats from our previous games so you can see for yourselves on our previous games and the season to date.
We had another great crowd last Saturday of nearly 600 fans. Compare that to our opening day attendance from three seasons ago and it is over 50% up. That is a fantastic achievement and is as much a credit to what goes on off the field as to what happens on the pitch. You can read later in this progcast about the recognition of our efforts to make the Pan a great Non-League football venue but we certainly don’t intend to sit on our laurels, continuing our constant improvements to our beloved ground.
On Tuesday night we made the short trip to Worthing and came away with a few bruises and no points. The turning point was the second yellow for Stefan in the final minute of the half. Having just picked up a yellow, he had every right to go for a loose ball with the keeper and I think that the reaction of the Worthing players in surrounding the referee got him a second yellow. To be fair we then dominated the game for the last 40 minutes and had Dayshonne’s strike gone in with 25 minutes to go we could have gone on to get something from the game. But it wasn’t to be and I think Darren, Ross and Codge will have learnt a thing or two about the squad after that game.
Obviously it is early days, and some of the results from the first two games are surprising as teams find their feet with new squads, management and tactics. We certainly feel that there are no teams in this division that we fear nor is there anyone who appears to be throwing silly/serious (delete as you feel appropriate on whether it is sustainable for the Non-League game) money at it as we continue to see in some of the other divisions. Yet, we are ambitious and work very closely with Darren and his team to identify players that will enhance our squad, but we will always work within our budget and the 12th Man Fund. On that subject, thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to the fund in any way.
Tomorrow our new-look Women’s squad kick off their Championship campaign when Blackburn Rovers Ladies are here at The Pan, starting at 1pm (note the earlier kick off time). It promises to be a very competitive season with no one team likely to dominate as we saw last season with Manchester United. It would be great to see you here cheering Fran Alonso’s side on.
Keep up your support and COME ON YOU ROOKS!!!
Stuart
LEWES FC IS PROUD TO WORK WITH KAPPA
LIVE MATCH UPDATES
You can get full updates from today’s game, including team line-ups, goals and substitutons, in the panel below. It will automatically update throughout the game. Data supplied by FootballWebPages.
TODAY’S MATCH MUSIC
Today’s match playlist is compiled by our very own John Peel (not that one). Click on the player below to listen to the tracks on Spotify.
RECENT MATCH REVIEW
Lewes 1 vs Enfield Town 1
Video highlights from our season-opener against Enfield Town from Your Instant Replay below.
Ross Standen’s reaction:
And Dayshonne Golding’s verdict:
And new this season, here are our match stats:
| LEWES | STAT | ENFIELD TOWN |
| 1 | GOALS | 1 |
| 60.1% | POSSESSION | 39.9% |
| 24 | SHOTS | 13 |
| 9 | SHOTS ON TARGET | 8 |
| 18 | CROSSES | 4 |
| 5 | CORNERS | 4 |
| 8 | FREE-KICKS | 6 |
| 0 | YELLOW CARDS | 0 |
| 0 | RED CARDS | 0 |
| 341 | PASSES | 233 |
| 77% | PASS SUCCESS RATE | 67% |
Worthing 3 vs Lewes 1
Match highlights from Your Instant Replay:
Darren Freeman’s reaction:
TOMORROW AT THE PAN
TODAY’S OPPONENTS: BOWERS & PITSEA
Bowers and Pitsea FC are relative newcomers, having formed under their current name in 2004 and stepped up to the Isthmian League in 2016. We will be playing them for the first time today.
Bowers United were founded in 1946 and began life in the Thurrock and Thameside Combination, which they won in 1959. They became founder members of the Essex Olympian League in 1966 before moving up to the Essex Senior League in 1974, which they won in 1981 and again in 1999.
In 2004 Bowers United merged with Sunday league neighbours Pitsea to form Bowers and Pitsea FC. Under current manager Rob Small they finished runners-up in the Essex Senior League in 2015, going one better a year later to win the league and gain promotion to the Isthmian League. That season was notable too for their cup run in the FA Vase, which took them to the semi-finals where they were narrowly beaten by eventual winners Morpeth Town 2-1 away after drawing the home leg 2-2.
In their first season in the Isthmian League Division One North, 2016-17, they finished a creditable sixth. A year later they finished third, but were beaten in the play-offs by Canvey Island. Last season they won Division North to win promotion to the Premier Division.
MEET THE SQUAD
Rob Small – Manager
Appointed Manager in the summer of 2014 Rob won Manager of the Month three times last term, or it may have been the year before. He’s won other things (see history above). And he probably used to play a bit.
Callum Chafer – Goalkeeper
Callum started his career at Hornchurch and also played for Romford before moving to Bowers and then back to the Urchins. Now he’s back again.
Ryan Sammons – Defender
Ryan represented England schools U18s before spending a year playing university “soccer” in America. He was a tremendous servant to East Thurrock FC for over 10 years, playing over 400 games. Last season with Bowers he made 47 appearances.
Thomas Stephen – Defender
During the 2018/2019 season with Bowers he made 33 appearances. And that’s your lot.
Martyn Stokes – Defender
During 2018/2019 season for Bowers Martyn made 42 appearances scoring 4 goals. He previously played for Brentwood Town.
Kenzer Lee – Defender
Kenzer was spotted by West Ham scouts captaining the Newham and Essex Schools representative side and joined the Hammers as a schoolboy. He developed through their academy to be given a two year scholarship in the summer of 2010.In the second year of his scholarship he was a regular in the West Ham Under 18 side and also played for their Development Squad. He signed a professional contract in 2012, then went on to Banbury United, Oxford United, Bishop’s Stortford, and Hornchurch.
Callum Leahy – Defender
Callum used to play for Basildon, and joined Bowers in 2016-17 season. He’s since been an ever-present scoring 7 goals.
Lewis Clark – Defender
During the 2018/19 season Lewis made 34 appearances and scored 2 goals. He previously played for Thurrock.
Quentin Monville- Midfielder
Quentin has played previously for Billericay Town, Wingate & Finchley, Barking, and now plays for Bowers & Pitsea.
Ben Sartain – Midfielder
Ben is with Bowers since 2016/2017 and an ever-present since then in central-mid, scoring over 20 goals for the club. Entering his fourth season with Bowers, Ben was previously with Basildon United.
Bradley Warner – Midfielder
Thinks to rival ‘Ammo with his trademark free-kicks, Brad returned to Bowers in November 2018 after 18 months at Hornchurch where he helped the Urchins to Isthmian Premier promotion.
Max Cornhill – Midfielder
Max was recruited in summer 2018 from East Thurrock and he’s a good boy (Harry).
James Thomas – Midfielder
James notched his 100th appearance for Bowers on the April day they clinched promotion for the privilege of playing at the Dripping pan.previously played for Cheshunt.
Thomas Hine – Midfielder
Bib Big cheer for Tom Hine who made his comeback from testicular cancer a couple of years ago. Go on, my son.
Daniel Trendall – Midfielder/Forward
Dan joined Bowers this summer, and can play out wide or up front. He previously played for Saffron Walden Town and St Neots Town.
David Knight – Forward
David joined Bowers in mid 2016 from Hornchurch and has found the net in each of his club’s first two games. Last season he netted 36 goals in the Bostik League North. Let’s hope he is blanked this afternoon.
Lewis Manor – Forward
Lewis is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with approaching 100 goals. And he scored in their opener last Saturday as well.
RARE PITSEA BADGE FOR SALE
Bowers & Pitsea fans – we have something of a collector’s item for you.
Brian the Badgeman has got hold of an extremely rare badge from Pitsea’s history. The Pitsea Athletic and Social Club were formed c.1954, and were a village club playing predominantly Sunday football in the Vange & District Sunday League/Basildon Sunday League.
There are not many of these badges in circulation, which is why this one carries a £150 price tag. If you’re interested in acquiring the badge, see Brian the Badgeman at the back of the Philcox stand at half-time, near the badge stall operated by our other great badge seller, Gary Blaber.
Any funds raised by both Brian and Gary go straight to our 12th Man Fund.
FAN-TASTIC ACHIEVEMENT
Recognition for our amazing group of volunteers by Stuart Fuller
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure in accepting an award from the Football Supporters Association on behalf of the club for the best away day experience at the whole of Step 3 in the Non-League game. There are currently 88 clubs at Step 3, so to receive such an accolade is a real honour for every single person who contributes not only on a match day but also the hard preparation that goes into it.
We’ve also seen over the last few weeks from fellow Isthmian League Premier clubs season previews on the League’s website that 16 of the 21 clubs (ourselves included) rate Lewes as one, if not the best, away game they are looking forward to this season. It used to be the case that the sole reason behind that was that they were almost guaranteed three points but under Darren, Ross and Codge’s stewardship, it has become more of an off the field thing.
Obviously, we are helped by a superb natural setting but that isn’t enough to win such awards. Our volunteers and match day staff add the operational excellence and of course our food and drink options continue to evolve and adapt to our fan’s palates. We are also working hard on updating various aspects of the ground, some of which are over 125 years old. Whilst we can’t do everything at once – it’s not just a cost issue but an operational one – for instance we can’t replace our floodlights without taking heavy machinery onto our excellent playing surface and damaging it.
But we don’t intend to sit on our laurels. Listening to feedback from all fans, especially you guys, is how we follow a process of constant improvement. That’s why we have made the significant changes to the look, feel and operation of the Rook Inn, our new amazing Pie, Mash and Mushy Peas hatch, card-tap machines around the ground and the introduction of new bio-degradable cups. We don’t intend to stop there and having such an expert as Steve Keegan now on board, we are already in the planning stage of the next phase of improvements.
But whilst these material changes are important, it is the constant attitude of our volunteers and match day staff who want to go over and above for the benefit of the club. Whether it be the pitch team preparing a superb playing surface, our food and drink options, including new vegan menu items and of course the sporting nature of our fans.
Our attendances have continued to grow impressively (up by over 50% in four seasons) and we are now seeing more under-16s coming through the gate, introducing a new generation of Rooks fans to our special club. Based on our current position in the footballing pyramid, we are seeing some of the highest attendances we’ve ever had at The Pan on a regular basis. As The Pan becomes more popular with away fans, the more they are prepared to come and sample our hospitality.
So, the challenge has now been set not only to retain our Step 3 award but to win the Best Away Day for the whole of Steps 1-4 (only 295 other clubs!). We all love a challenge, don’t we?
AWAY DAY GUIDE: MARGATE
About Margate FC
Founded – 1896
Manager – Jay Saunders
Best league position – 8th in Conference Premier in 2001/02
Best FA Cup run – Third Round Proper twice, the last being in 1972/73 when they lost at home to Tottenham Hotspur 6-0
Ground Capacity – 3,000 of which 400 are seated (last season’s average 499)
How was last season?
Former Rooks boss Steve Brown started the season in the joint managerial
hotseat with Mike Sandmann as one of the favourites for promotion but after
some disappointing results, Browny left the club in February and was replaced
by former Maidstone United manager Jay Saunders.
Their final position of 12th place was a disappointment for all, based on the strong squad and Saunders has been busy adding to that in the summer, with the club being favourites for promotion through some betting channels.
Isthmian League Premier Division – 12th – P 42 W 16 D 11 L 15 GS 45 GA 48 GD -3 PTS 59
- FA Cup – Second Qualifying Round – Lost away at Concord Rangers 2-0
- FA Trophy – First Qualifying Round – Lost at home to Potters Bar Town 2-1
- Kent Senior Cup – First Round – Lost away at Hythe Town 3-1
- Isthmian League Cup – First Round – Lost away at Tooting & Mitcham United 2-1
When did we last meet
Margate?
Last season we travelled down to Hartsdown Park in early September and came
away with a 1-0 thanks to a smart headed goal by James Hammond. In the return fixture at the Pan in December
was washed out after just 23 minutes with the scores at 0-0. In the re-arranged fixture in late January, there
was no break in the deadlock although with the game entering injury time, The
Rooks were awarded a penalty when George Tuson-Firth was fouled by the Margate
keeper. Jonte Smith stepped up but his
spot-kick was saved, turning out to be his last kick in a Lewes shirt before
his move to Oxford United.
About Hartsdown Park
Hartsdown Park is still a work in progress.
I know I also wrote that three years ago before we last visited. This is
partly due to the fact that the last decade some of the ground (including the
Main Stand and terracing) have been demolished in preparation for the building
of new structures, but due to off the field changes in the boom and bust
economy of Non-League football, the promised new stands have failed to
materialise.
At the Hartsdown Road End is the only structure remaining from the “old ground”. This is quite unusual looking, as although it has a few steps of open terrace at the front, behind it has an enclosed small covered terrace, which is sandwiched between the Clubhouse bar and other club buildings. If you stand on this terrace then to your left are a couple of temporary stands. They are situated either side of the half way and are all seated and covered. However, they are quite small being only four rows high. The opposite side is dominated by portacabin-type structures that are located in the middle with some flat standing areas on either side. These contain the team dressing rooms and the team dugouts are located out front. The remaining Tivoli Park End (known locally as the ‘Coffin End’), has a very small covered terrace that is located directly behind the goal. To either side of this small temporary structure are flat standing areas that are uncovered. During 2017 a new artificial 3G pitch was installed at the ground.
How to find Hartsdown Park
But you don’t need to drive there yourself…
Click here to book a place on our bus!
Admission at Hartsdown Park
Admission this season is £11 for adults, £8 for concessions (senior citizens), £5 for Under18s and accompanied under 11s are admitted free of charge.
Fancy a beer?
There’s a decent sized Clubhouse bar at the ground which also has a big screen for the pre/post-match game. Margate Town Centre is around a 15-minute walk away, where there are plenty of pubs to be found. On Marine Terrace there is a Wetherspoons pub called the Mechanical Elephant. Whilst if you also like your real ale then the Northern Belle pub on Mansion Street has been listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for a number of years now. Also, of note is the Lifeboat pub on Market Street, which also has a wide range of real ales and ciders and will be popular with a lot of our travelling fans based on previous visits.
SPONSOR YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER
The Supporters Club are once again selling player and management sponsorship to raise money for the club. Grab your player before your favourite goes!
Costs are as follows: Home Kit – £75. Away Kit – £75. Training Kit – £25. Boots £25.
Contact: david.arnold@me.com or see David or Barbara on match days.
Thanks to the following sponsors who’ve signed up so far!
DARREN FREEMAN
HOME: REG FREEMAN
JORDY MONGOY
HOME: SAM & JOE BARKER
TOM DAY
HOME: STUART ELMER
FRANKIE CHAPPELL
HOME: SUSIE ARLETT
JAMES HAMMOND
HOME: STUART FULLER
AWAY: STUART FULLER
A CAUTIONARY TALE
Stuart Fuller explains changes to the disciplinary system for FA Cup games
It is fair to say that the new disciplinary rules for cup competitions introduced by the FA last season didn’t go down well with Non-League clubs. Rather than simplifying the previously confusing situation, it took the harshness of the sanctions to the extreme. For those not familiar with the rules, let me recap. If any player received two cautions in the FA Cup or Trophy, then he was automatically banned from the next tie.
Cast your mind back to our first FA Cup tie last season, away to Molesey. In possibly one of the dullest games we have played in recent years, skipper Lloyd Cotton picked up a second half yellow card. Nothing too unusual about that based on his combative style you may say, but when he then picked up a second yellow in the next round away at Farnborough, in a highly entertaining 2-2 draw, he was suspended for the replayed tie. During that same game Farnborough centre-back Nathaniel Oseni was red-carded for bringing down Billy Medlock as he sped through on goal. Because his was a red-card offence, Oseni was able to play in the replayed tie, whilst Cotton wasn’t, because a red card isn’t competition specific. Fair? Not really.
By the time we had overcome Farnborough we then faced two games against Kings Langley and then a home tie against Merthyr Town before being drawn at Bath City, our 8th game in the competition. Unfortunately, we picked up suspensions for two yellow cards for that game, with first team players James Hammond, Leon Redwood and Nico Cotton all unavailable due to the rule. The ridiculous situation was that after picking up his second competition yellow in the game against Merthyr Town, Hammo could have deliberately got a red and then missed the league game against Haringey Borough, but then been available for the lucrative Bath City game.
As the competition progressed and fewer and fewer Non-League clubs remained, they continued to be disadvantaged by this rule, potentially having to go into their biggest ever games with weakened sides.
The good news is that the FA have changed the rules and for this season. In both the FA Cup and Trophy a player will need to accumulate four cautions before he is suspended from the next relevant cup game. As we dream of a trip to Wembley we can also be comforted by the fact that after the Sixth Round, any previous cautions are wiped from the record.
So, sense has once again prevailed in the main cup competitions. The County Cups are a different story altogether. A suspension in the Sussex Senior Cup does not carry into any other competition, so if a player is dismissed for instance for Serious Foul Play and his team goes on to lose, and then loses in the first round for the next three seasons, it could be four years from the date of the offence before he could be eligible to play again!
STODGEBUSTERS ON TOUR
The burger-seeking brigade are back on the road to Worthing
First away game of the season for the Stodgebusters and it would be a tough test at Worthing. It always is, and last season’s seven-goal thrillers only go to show that. Turnstile Alan picked up Roly in Polegate, and then PJ and Gary the Badge at Lewes Prison. Well, the bus stop opposite actually.
We were all looking forward to this one as it’s always a big game. It was a bit unusual for a local derby to be so early in the season. We would prefer to be a few games into the season before facing this sort of challenge. But we don’t get a choice.
We rarely have a proper pre-match meal before evening games. We had all dined earlier with our loved ones. PJ had treated Mrs PJ to the gastronomic delights and romantic atmosphere of Mac’s Cafe. But Gary couldn’t resist a bit more Stodge in the form of some bread pudding at the ground.
Worthing have had problems with their 3G pitch and it certainly doesn’t look as neat and tidy as others we have seen. It has so much black crumb that the green is obscured in places.
Lewes never really got going in the first half and Worthing dominated. It was no great surprise when they went one up after fifteen minutes. A tap in after a good save by Nathan. Worthing continued to be on top and extended their lead just before half time. There was still time, however, for some controversy. Stefan had already been booked for an innocuous foul when he stretched for a ball that the keeper was diving for. Some would say it was a 50/50 ball. We would say it was closer to 60/40 in Stefan’s favour, so no-one should blame him for going for it. And we reckon he got to the ball first.
Not unexpectedly the Worthing players all screamed blue murder and surrounded the referee, who had already not covered himself in glory by being very inconsistent with his yellow card. We feared the worst and sure enough Stefan got a second yellow for what wasn’t even a foul in our opinion. Whether the mobbing of the referee had an effect on his decision is debatable but it didn’t help us. We, along with most Lewes supporters were outraged.
Two down, and down to ten men. What a daunting prospect the second half would be. Worthing well deserved their lead though. Lewes had been poor. Things got worse when it went three nil immediately after the restart. A free header from a corner. Well that was that we thought.
However, Lewes suddenly started to play some of the football we know they are capable of. Jordy scored with a screamer after 51 minutes and we found ourselves on top. Dayshonne hit the bar. Their keeper made a world class save from someone else. With a little more luck we might even have salvaged something. If it had been eleven v eleven in second half it may well have been a different story.
But it wasn’t to be. Worthing ended up 3-1 winners. We reflected on the game. A poor first half with some poor defending against a good Worthing team. Some terrible refereeing and some disappointing gamesmanship from the home players in helping getting players booked and sent off. One point from two games. Not great, but hopefully we could get up and running properly at the weekend versus Bowers and Pitsea. We will be back: The Jolly Stodgebusters Outing to Margate.
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