Welcome to The Dripping Pan for this evening’s FA Cup game against Harefield United. Here is your complimentary e-programme.

You get:
– Matches LIVE streamed
– One share/one vote
– Discounts in Lewes & online
– Downloadable Share Certificate, Owner’s App and Gift Box

TO BECOME AN OWNER, CLICK HERE: https://lewesfc.com/become-an-owner/

A very warm welcome to Harefield Utd and their supporters for their first ever visit to the Dripping Pan.

Cup games under the lights at the Pan very often turn out to be great events and over the years we have witnessed nail biters, thumping wins and FA heartbreaks which all encapsulates the magic of the FA Cup.

As we have seen several times already this season Craig has installed a fighting spirit into this side. They never know when they are beaten, they never give up and they always seem to pull a banger of a goal (or two) out of the bag.

Hastings United are awaiting the winner of this tie. Lets all get behind the team tonight and get us through to a big East Sussex FA Cup derby at the Pilot Field.

Come on you Rooks

Trevor

What a week It’s been!

Good evening everyone,

It’s been an unforgettable week for our club, filled with drama, emotion, and some truly remarkable moments. I want to start by thanking each and every one of you who came out to support us in our recent matches. Your energy and passion have been incredible, and it’s made a real difference on the pitch.

Reflecting on Our Bank Holiday Derby Day

Bank holiday weekend’s local derby vs Whitehawk was the stuff of dreams. To secure our fifth consecutive league win with a last-minute winner, in front of over 1,700 fans, was a moment I’ll never forget. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, and when Josh Williams found the back of the net in those dying seconds, it felt like the roof was about to come off! It’s moments like these that remind us all why we love this game.

That victory wasn’t just about three points; it was a testament to the character and resilience of this team. We faced a tough opponent in Whitehawk and didn’t perform at our best in the first half but we kept pushing until the very end, and our perseverance paid off. I couldn’t be prouder of the lads for the way they handled the pressure and delivered in such dramatic fashion.

Harefield United FA Cup Replay

After the high of our derby win, we turned our attention to the FA Cup, where we faced a resolute Harefield United side. Credit where it’s due, they came with a game plan, defended really well and made it very difficult for us to break them down. A 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of a hard-fought contest, and I want to acknowledge Harefield’s efforts. They showed real grit and determination, and could have won the game. We know we’ll need to be at our best to get the job done in tonight’s replay.

Thank You to Our Travelling Fans

A special mention must go to our travelling supporters who made the trip to Harefield. I’ll continue to say this all season but your support means everything and didn’t go unnoticed. It’s that kind of dedication that drives the players on during tough moments. We’ve seen tremendous backing from our fans, both home and away, and it’s something we never take for granted. Thank you for being the heartbeat of this club. #UpTheRooks

Stars of the Month: Celebrating Our Standouts!

Player of the Month: Matty Warren – The Versatile Maestro

Matty has been nothing short of exceptional, not only in his natural position but also stepping in at right-back, where he’s made the role look effortless. His versatility and adaptability have been crucial to our success, seamlessly filling in wherever the team needs him. His football intelligence is top draw and whether he’s surging forward to support the attack or tracking back to shut down opposition wingers, Matty has shown the kind of quality and commitment that every manager dreams of. His contributions have been vital, and we’re lucky to have such a talented and selfless player in our squad.

Golden Glove of the Month: Toby Bull – The Fortress

A big congratulations to Toby for securing the Isthmian League Golden Glove of the Month! His outstanding performances between the sticks have been a key to our success. With crucial saves, commanding presence in the box, and two clean sheets, only three goals conceded in the league, he’s been the rock we’ve relied on in defense. His consistency and composure under pressure have kept us in games and allowed us to push forward with confidence.

Both of these awards are well-deserved, and I couldn’t be prouder of the lads for their hard work and dedication. Let’s continue to build on this momentum as we head into the next phase of the season!

Looking Ahead

Tonight’s replay is another opportunity for us to show our quality and progress in this prestigious competition. We’re fully focused on the task at hand and ready to give everything on the pitch. While our unbeaten start to the league has been fantastic, we know the FA Cup has its own magic, and we’re determined to keep our run going.

As always, I ask you to get behind the team and make our home ground a fortress. Your support could make all the difference as we look to advance to the next round.

Let’s keep building on our momentum, one game at a time, brick by brick and continue this incredible journey together.

Come on you Rooks!

Pitts

Williams on THAT goal, Pitts and life at Lewes FC

Josh Williams scored a stunning match winner in Monday’s 2-1 victory over Whitehawk – and the Lewes FC man credits his team-mates and staff for creating such a strong bond so early in the season.

Williams cut inside from the right and lashed home in the 89th minute to earn Lewes victory in front of more than 1750 fans at the Dripping Pan.

The result means Lewes maintain the 100% start to the season after five games and Williams was understandably delighted after the whistle.

“Who would have thought in a tough division like this, with all the teams that came down and the teams that were promoted, there are so many strong teams in this league, and we’re top!” he said.

“Who would have thought we’d win our first five games? I’m sure if you’d asked Pitts he’d have bitten your hand off for three draws and two wins. The boys are buzzing and it’s a good camp to be in right now.”

Boss Craig Nelson has put together a side that is now looking to make it six on the bounce when the Rooks arrive at Harefield United in FA Cup qualifying this weekend.

And Williams is all praise for how to boss has brought everyone together.

“It’s been very good so far,” he said. “I knew most of the players before coming in and I’ve had a good relationship with the gaffer for a few years, even though this is the first time I’ve played under him.

“It’s been a long time coming! The way we’ve all gelled has been perfect and the boys are fantastic.”

As for his goal, Williams admits it’s something of a “trademark” of his.

“I’m pretty used to playing on the right, so as soon as the gaffer said to head out there I knew what I had to do,” he said.

“A lot of full-backs think I’ll cut inside every time but I took the line first this time, as if I’m going to cross it, before cutting in. I love it, it’s my trademark on my left foot into the top corner. It was a beautiful goal and in front of that stand too, with so many fans behind the goal.

“I was on the bench thinking ‘come on, in the second half we’re shooting that way towards the fans’ and I was getting excited. I knew what I had to do and it was a dream to score when it happened.”

Roche stunner earns Rooks draw with Watford

Lois Roche’s long-range strike helped Lewes Women to a 1-1 draw against Watford on Sunday and cap off a strong week for the Rooks.

Coming in off the back of Wednesday’s WNL Cup win over Worthing, the Rooks knew Watford – new to the third tier after also suffering relegation last season – would be no easy task.

But Roche’s goal and a strong performance between the sticks from Player of the Match Emily Moore ensured the points were deservedly shared on a hot day at the Pan.

Lewes started the brighter of the two teams but it was Moore who was the more active goalkeeper. She punched away a dangerous free-kick in the opening throes, and then could only watch as Jessie Gale narrowly went wide midway through the half.

Only a sublime tackle from the tracking-back Hannah Godfrey denied Gale in a one-on-one situation with Moore, while the goalkeeper also kept her nerve to get to a low Coral Haines shot before the break.

Lewes began to play their way into the game after the half-hour mark. First Paula Howells found enough space to deliver a tempting low cross that evaded all but a Watford boot. Then Godfrey twisted in the box from a set piece to cross across goal, with Watford’s Anna Filbey almost converting into her own net.

Roche had one last effort easily saved from Maria O’Sullivan heading into the break – but the Hornets goalkeeper wouldn’t be so fortunate next time.

Lewes started on the front foot in the second half and Roche popped up with the opener on 47 minutes. Watford twice failed to clear their lines from an Izzy Glass-Oliver free-kick and the ball eventually fell back to Roche, who controlled and pulled the trigger from all of 30 yards.

The ball skipped off the turf and beyond O’Sullivan to put the Rooks 1-0 up.

Less than a minute later and Layla Proctor also had a go from distance but her effort fell into O’Sullivan’s hands. It was the same outcome when Howells, on the hour mark, cut inside from the right and went for goal, only to find the keeper.

With 23 minutes on the clock Lewes were pushing for a second when Watford, who themselves had peppered the Rooks box with numerous crosses, got their leveller. Gale managed to slip between Glass-Oliver and Godfrey, and poked the ball past Moore.

Cue a period of Watford pressure that was only broken when Proctor burst through on goal, before she was brought down by Sophie McLean. A yellow card was shown and nothing came of the resulting free-kick.

As the game entered stoppage time Howells saw one last chance go awry, while Moore kept her composure under a string of high balls delivered into the Rooks box. In the end, a 1-1 draw felt like a fair result from an afternoon that necessitated two drinks breaks under the glare of the Sussex sun.

Lewes FC XI: Moore, Brant, Schreimairer, Glass-Oliver, Godfrey, Thomas, Proctor, Carpenter, Curran, Howells, Roche.

Subs: Hunkin, Eze, Fatuga-Dada, Connolly-Brame (76′ for Thomas), Adaway (87′ for Proctor), Gilligan (81′ for Roche)

• Harefield United was founded in 1868 making them the oldest club in Middlesex and one of the oldest in the country. One of their earliest names was Harefield Victoria before becoming Breakspear Institute and eventually Harefield United in 1934 after a merger with Harefield FC. In 1966, Harefield joined the Middlesex League which is their most successful division to date, winning the league title 4 times and the League Cup twice between 1966 and 1971.
• The Hares earned a spot in the newly expanded Isthmian League Division Two North in 1984/85 where they remained for two seasons before moving to the Division Two South. In 1996/97, Harefield were relegated from the Isthmian League system after resigning from the division in November due to a lack of funds to carry out ground improvements. In 2001/02, Harefield were promoted to the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division finishing one point behind the champions, Greenacres but coming out victorious against the side in the League Cup final.
• In the 2002/03 season, the Hares won the Challenge Trophy and finished runners-up for the Premier League cup, they turned this into victory however, in the following season with a 1-0 win over Brook House in the final. The club remained in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division until 2015/16, finishing runners-up in 2006/07 and 2008/09 missing out on the title on goal difference in the latter. During this period, the Hares played under managers Ian Crane, Phil Granville and Jason Shaw. In 2010, the club won the National Award for “Groundsman of The Year” for steps 5 and 6. This was a great achievement as Harefield don’t have a groundsman and rely solely on volunteers to maintain the pitch. In 2015/16 they suffered relegation back into Division One. Three seasons later, Harefield celebrated their 150^th anniversary and were rewarded with promotion from the Spartan South Midlands League Division One while going invincible, dropping just four points and winning 34 consecutive matches. The 2019/20 season was abandoned due to COVID and Harefield saw themselves in 15^th place at the point of abandonment. In 2021/22, the Hares finished in 11^th before moving to the Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North where they finished 14^th in 2022/23. The club parted ways with manager Jason Shaw after the 2022/23 season, Shaw was replaced by current manager Wayne Carter who guided the club to a 13^th place finish last season. Harefield United are aiming for a top half finish in the Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North, which is step 5 of the National League system, while Lewes are in step 3. Harefield are currently sitting in 14^th place after four matches, having beaten Wallingford & Crowmarsh and Bedfont Sports but suffering defeat to Holyport in a 5-4 thriller on the opening day and Hilltop. Our Rooks are the clear favourites currently sitting at the top of the Isthmian Premier, but we all know that the cup doesn’t shy away from an upset so I expect we will still have to bring our A-game to the Pan on Tuesday night if we want to play Hastings United in the Second Qualifying Round.
  
  

It was FA Cup week for the Step 3 teams this week, and the Isthmian Premier was no different, as the league was paused for a weekend and clubs got their cup campaigns underway. There were two games between teams in the same league, and the first was an Essex derby between Billericay and Bowers & Pitsea, as Bowers overcame their poor start in the league to beat the Blues 2-1, halting their campaign at the first hurdle. The other intraleague game saw Hendon welcome Ross McNeilly’s Whitehawk to Silver Jubilee Park, and they dispatched the Hawks in dominant fashion, scoring three times in the first half-hour to then see the game out and win 3-0, and continue Whitehawk’s difficult start to the season.

Not all ties within the league were decided this weekend, however. Four teams will require replays to decide their fate in the cup, the most notable being the league leaders Lewes, who’s 100% record under Craig Nelson was halted by step 5 Harefield United, requiring an 85th minute goal from Danny Bassett to prevent an upset and draw 1-1. Cray Wanderers will also need to try again, as they also came from behind to draw 1-1 with a step 5 side, this time being Larkfield and New Hythe, an Anthony Cook penalty saving the Wands. Continuing the theme of avoiding cupsets late on, Dulwich recovered in the 84th minute to draw 2-2 with step 4 Leatherhead, Anthony Jeffrey scoring the skin-saver this time. However, seemingly on a mission to give us the most entertaining game every week, Dover provided an absolute miracle to save their cup run. 2-0 down against step 4 high-flyers Sittingbourne, in the 90th minute, who scores but goalkeeper Mitch Walker, and then Alfie Matthews not a minute later to save the Whites in extremely dramatic fashion.

Not many other games could have been as dramatic, as most of the other teams in the league went through without much issue; Bognor defeated step 5 Ayelsbury Vale Dynamos 2-0, Canvey Island got their second win in a row as they beat Milton Keynes Irish 2-1 thanks to a late goal, Carshalton beat Haywards Heath Town 3-1, Chatham continued their run of form and beat Westfield FC 2-0, Cheshunt progressed after beating Great Yarmouth Town 2-1, despite going down to ten men, Chichester beat recently relegated Kingstonian 4-1 in a convincing display, Cray Valley saw off Badshot Lea 2-1, Dartford hit for 6 to beat Marlow Town 6-2, Hastings defeated Redhill 3-1, Hashtag United beat Stotford 2-0, Horsham comfortably beat Virginia Water 4-0, as did Wingate and Finchley to Thame United, winning by the same scoreline.

There were only a few defeats from the Isthmian Prem in this early round; apart from the previously mentioned Whitehawk and Billericay, the only other teams to fall at the first hurdle were Potters Bar, of whom Steve Cawley will feel hard done by, as his two goals were not enough to prevent an emphatic 6-2 loss to Lowestoft town, and Folkestone, losing 3-1 to Step 4 league favourites Ramsgate in a Kent Derby.

Fancy a drink before/after the game?

The Hope – Round the corner from the station and a favourite amongst Rooks fans. A community-owned pub with 7 real ale pumps, a simple menu and a decked garden.

Legals and Credits

“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
Chair Trevor Wells
Directors Priscila Aldridge, Jen Kerrison, Tom McJennett, Joe Short, Stan Lahood, Steve Watts, John Peel, Trevor Wells, Ben Hall
Club Secretary John Peel
Fan Engagement Manager Shrey Nilvarna
Operations Manager Damian Watts

Life Members
Peter Brook, Dorothy Brook RIP, Vic Blunt, Pat Dartnell, Gary Elphick, Gordon Fowlie, Peter Hiscox RIP, Billy Nixon, Derrick Parris RIP, 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 Craig Nelson
Assistant manager Danny Oakins
First team coach Bryan Nzinga
First team coach Frankie Sawyer
Goalkeeping coach Sheikh Ceesay
S&G Coach Arron Fray
Under-18s Manager Jon Miller

Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editor Shrey Nilvarna
Progcast Editor Stan Lahood

Progcast Assistant Editors Harvey Lock and Charlie Sundaram

Club Photographer James Boyes