Welcome to The Dripping Pan for this evening’s Isthmian League Premier game versus Carshalton Athletic. Here is your complimentary e-programme.

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Is there a better place to watch football under the lights than the Dripping Pan? I will leave it to you all to answer that one but the warmest of Lewes welcomes to our opponents from Carshalton.

On Saturday I hoped for a banger of a game and wow did the boys deliver. If you have got your breath back let’s hope for more of the same tonight.

Craig and the team seem to be settling back in where they belong but we must never take anything for granted and every thing earned on the pitch is a result of a ton of work of it.

As supporters what we can do is to keep turning up in our numbers and get behind the team.

Come on you Rooks!

Trevor

Pitts speaks on Brentwood win

The gaffer gave some words following Saturday’s 4-2 win over then-top Brentwood Town, praising once again the Rooks’ resilience and persistence, while also saying there were still some things that needed straightening out before he was fully happy. He also gave praise to new signing Martell Taylor-Crossdale, and looked ahead to tonight’s fixture. You can watch the interview here:

🗣️Craig on our 4-2 win today 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Ag93tfFGov

— Lewes FC Men (@LewesFCMen) November 8, 2025

Louis Rogers: Rogers joined the Rooks from Hastings United in summer 2025. Known for his sharp reflexes and excellent shot-stopping ability, he spent several years as first-choice keeper at Hastings, playing a key role in their promotion push. Louis brings leadership, composure, and a commanding presence to the Lewes backline as he steps up to the Isthmian Premier League once again.

Ryan Bernal: An athletic right back, Bernal joins the Rooks after impressing in the Combined Counties League. Quick and confident going forward, Ryan provides attacking width while maintaining strong defensive discipline. A promising addition to the squad, he will look to make the right flank his own.

Clement Asiedu: Left back Asiedu is a young, dynamic defender with an eye for joining the attack. A product of the Volenti Academy he represented Crystal Palace as a youth player. Clem joined Cray Valley PM after a breakout season at Horsham YM.

Jack Burchell: A ball-playing centre back, 21-year-old defender Burchell came through the academy at Watford before joining Eastbourne Borough in October 2022, going on to play 26 times in the Vanarama National League South under Danny Bloor in 2022/23. He joined the Welling in July 2023 after impressing on trial during pre-season and proved to be a mainstay in defence, playing a vital part in the side’s successful survival bid in 2023/24.

Jamie Watson: Jamie is a solid, aerially strong centre-half who brings experience in defence despite being only 24; a product of the Bromley academy, Jamie has also spent time at Alfreton in the National League North, as well as Tonbridge Angels, who he joins from on a dual-registration basis.

Olly Hamstead: Olly is another young defender rising through the ranks, joining the Rooks from Carshalton where he has had two spells. Olly started his career at Chipstead, before moving on to Burgess Hill and Kingstonian where he was a commanding force in those back lines. Tall, strong, and a calm presence on the ball, Olly is a great example of a modern centre-half.

Tito Salaam: Tito joins the Rooks on a dual-registration contract with Sutton United, where he hopes to gain some experience in first-team football. standing six-foot-four at just 19, Salaam has shown himself to be a solid physical force in the Rooks backline.

Antonio Morgan: A young up-and-coming full-back, Morgans joins the Rooks from Tonbridge Angels where he played under current gaffer Pitts for a time. Antonio is fast, direct, and tricky on the ball, and has displayed enough talent to earn several call ups for the Antigua & Barbuda national team.

Arezki Hamouchene: A tricky left-sided player with flair and pace, Hamouchene spent 14 years with Millwall, joining their youth setup at 7 years old. Spent the 24/25 season with Cray Wanderers and Erith Town from whom he joins the Rooks.

Jabari Christmas: A creative midfielder with flair and vision, Christmas was a product of the renowned Kinetic Academy and featured for QPR U18’s before joining Chatham. His ability to unlock defences and strike from distance gives the Rooks another option in central areas.

Perri Iandolo: A technically gifted central midfielder, Perri spent his formative years with Maidstone.  Perri is known for his range of passing and ability to dictate tempo in midfield and most recently played with club legend Bradley Pritchard at Phoenix Sports.

Devonte West: Operating on the right flank, West is a young, powerful winger with explosive pace and a keen eye for goal. A product of the London grassroots scene, Devonte joins us from Hollands & Blair and adds an exciting dimension to the Rooks’ attacking play.

Billie Clark: A right-sided midfielder or winger, Clark joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 before moving on to Reading in August 2023. Comfortable hugging the touchline or drifting inside, Billie offers pace and a dangerous delivery from wide areas.

Parish Muirhead: Returning to the club after a spell at Carshalton Athletic, Muirhead is a strong and tempo-dictating central midfielder, known for his game knowledge and passing ability. Parish has experience working under manager Craig Nelson and has earned several call-ups to the Grenada National Team.

Tyler Christian-Law: Tyler joined the Rooks in November, and is a vastly experienced midfielder at this level and above, with the 32 year old having spells with Braintree, Wealdstone, Potters Bar, Hornchurch, and most recently Dartford whom he joins from. A commanding presence in midfield, Tyler brings stability to the Rooks’ spine.

Kaan Bennett: A clinical centre forward, Bennett is known for his movement and finishing ability. Kaan was a product of the Colchester United youth system before serious injury halted his progress. Kaan’s intelligent positioning and eye for goal make him a key figure in Lewes’ frontline.

Jordan Maguire-Drew: A marquee signing for the Rooks, Maguire-Drew is a creative forward who started his career at Brighton & Hove Albion and went on to feature for Lincoln City, Leyton Orient, and Grimsby Town. Known for his technical ability and set-piece prowess, Jordan brings EFL experience and proven quality to Lewes’ attacking options.

Charlie Walker: Walker is a vastly experienced striker, and joins the Rooks as a number 9 outlet. Walker is no stranger to the professional game, having played for Luton Town in his career, as well as spells at Eastbourne Borough, Boreham Wood, Aldershot, and two spells with Whitehawk. Walker notched up 21 goals in 71 league games with the Hawks before joining Lewes, and will hope to continue that form.

Martell Taylor-Crossdale: Martell joins on loan from Tonbridge Angels, where he has experience working with manager Craig Nelson; Martell has experience at the highest level of English football, making an appearance for Premier League side Fulham, as well as being part of Chelsea’s youth academy. Playing either through the middle or on the wings, Martell provides powerful attacking threat to Pitts’ side.

Taylor-Crossdale signs on

Lewes FC are delighted to welcome Martell Taylor-Crossdale to the club. Martell joined last weekend and made his debut in the 4-2 win over Brentwood Town, scoring the fourth and game-sealing goal for the Rooks. Martell joins on an initial three-month loan from National League South side Tonbridge Angels, where he has previously worked under Pitts. Martell has experience throughout the entire English pyramid, including the very top, where he has previously been part of Chelsea’s youth setup and made a single appearance for current Premier League side Fulham.

He also has experience on both the international and European stage, playing and scoring for England youth teams up to U20s, and for Welsh Premier side Haverford West in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Operating either as a number nine or on either flank, Taylor-Crossdale will be a big threat throughout the next few months. Welcome Martell!

Young Rooks on the march

Congratulations to the Lewes U18s for their superb start to their season, the highlight of which was a 6-0 thrashing of old foes Bognor Regis Town last Thursday. The young Rooks currently sit top of the table in the Isthmian U18 South division, winning all three of their opening games, beating Chichester City 4-1, and Horsham 2-0. The U18 games are played on Thursday nights, so why not come down and support the lads as they hopefully continue this superb start?

Carshalton Athletic FC

• Carshalton Athletic Football Club, nicknamed ‘the Robins’, is dated back to the formation of Mill Lane Mission in 1905. The club merged with Carshalton St Andrews, a club formed by the vicar of St Andrews, in 1908 – with a name change to Carshalton FC.
• Carshalton moved into their current home in Colston Avenue following the reformation of the club in March 1919 after the conclusion of the First World War. The ground was built as a memorial to the members of the club that who lost their lives in the war.
• The Robins were elected to join the Corinthian League for the 1946-47 season. After a few below-par years, in the early 1950s Carshalton began to see progress. The Robins won the 1952-53 Corinthian League title; this was followed by a second successive Corinthian League triumph. In the summer of 1956, Carshalton transferred to the Athenian League following an impressive decade in the Corinthian League.
• The next 17 years were spent searching for success in the Athenian League with it never quite materialising. The club’s best finish during this time was 3rd place in 1963-64, but this was more than cancelled out by their two rock bottom finishes. There were some quality-of-life improvements, however, with the club installing floodlights in 1967.
• Carshalton Athletic were chosen to become founder members of the newly formed Isthmian League Division Two. After a slow start to the division, their third season was very impressive, finishing 3rd place, narrowly missing out on promotion. 1976-77 was the Robins’ year, a runners-up finish in the league won them promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division and they also lifted the Surrey Senior Shield.
• The next decade was a torrid time for the club on and off the field. On it, they didn’t finish in the top half until the late 1980s. Off it, the organisation of the ownership and running of the club underwent a major upheaval. During this period, the club burned through eight managers before the appointment of Billy Smith began to see results. During Smith’s nine-year tenure at Carshalton, they qualified for the FA Challenge Cup First Round Proper, won the Surrey Senior Cup on three occasions and made the final five times.
• Manager Gary Kilby led the Robins to the FA Cup First Round Proper in 1997-98, in which they lost to Stevenage Borough after a replay. The club suffered financially in 2000 with ownership changing hands twice, the clubhouse being destroyed in an arson attack and Sutton Council threatening to evict the club for breaching their lease. This resulted in a poor season in which Carshalton were relegated to Division One. Two years later, the Robins won the newly renamed Division One South title – gaining promotion back up to the Premier Division. A 7th place finish in the following season resulted in Carshalton qualifying for a place in the new Conference South.
• The club managed to retain their place in the Conference South in their first season. Unfortunately, the Robins were unable to build on this and were relegated back to the Isthmian Premier in their centenary season. In 2008, with the club technically insolvent with large tax bills that they couldn’t pay, Carshalton was bought by local businessman Paul Dipre. Dipre paid off significant tax bills and set out a clear 10-year plan to develop the club from the bottom up.
• The first full season under the ownership of Paul Dipre was a very successful one, finishing 4th place, qualifying for the play-offs. Carshalton defeated Tonbridge Angels in the Semi-final and would face Staines Town in the final. Jubilation turned into despair as the Robins’ 85th minute penalty at 0-0 was saved and Scott Taylor scored an extra-time winner for Staines.
• In 2013, Carshalton won the UEFA silver award for best grassroots club in Europe. Unfortunately, the 2012-13 season didn’t go as they’d hoped with a 21st place finish that ordinarily would have seen the club relegated; however, they were saved by a point deduction for Thurrock knocking them below the Robins. However, this only delayed their relegation by one year as Carshalton went down the following season.
• Carshalton were promoted back up to the Premier Division in 2017-18 season after winning the Isthmian South. The Robins enjoyed a long winning run in the second half of their first season back in the division and with a hardly changed team from the one that won them promotion the previous season, Carshalton finished runners-up and thus qualified for the play-offs. Unfortunately, they lost their semi-final match to Merstham FC and would have to settle for another season in the Isthmian Premier.
• The 2019-20 season was curtailed due to the Covid pandemic while the club was comfortably in the play-off places. This was repeated the following season with abandonment happening whilst they were in the play-off places. The three seasons following Covid were worse for Carshalton with them finishing 12th, 12th and 11th respectively. Chairman Paul Dipre announced at the start of the 2019-20 season that the club’s goal was to reach the National League by 2025; this has of course not been achieved, however, had it not been for Covid it may well have happened. Last season, the Robins enjoyed a better season, finishing in 7th place, six points off the play-offs. Carshalton currently sit in 12th place after 16 games, two points off the Rooks.

Kola Salami

Kola Salami joined Carshalton from Erith Town last season. In the first half of the season, the forward scored five goals in 16 appearances before gaining experience in step 5 in the second half of the season. So far this season, Salami has scored six league goals and is the 10th highest scorer.

Mon 11 Aug 2025	Isthmian Premier	Carshalton	1-2	Lewes	Att. 541
Fri 18 Apr 2025	Isthmian Premier	Lewes	1-3	Carshalton	Att. 1204
Sat 30 Sep 2024	Isthmian Premier	Carshalton	0-0	Lewes	Att. 637
Tue 7 Jan 2024	Isthmian Premier	Lewes	1-3	Carshalton	Att. 455
Mon 23 Oct 2023	Isthmian Premier	Carshalton	1-1	Lewes	Att. 414

This recent record does not quite tell the whole story, as we traditionally do pretty well against the Robins, winning the previous four in a row beyond this chart. However, clearly the tides swung a bit in their favour for a while, before coming back to us at the start of this season for our first win under Bradley Pritchard (side note, why are we playing these twice before we’ve even played some teams once?). Either way, we don’t have to go very far back for this recap, as our most recent result in South London was a 2-1 victory in August, with goals from Devonte West and marauding centre-back Jack Burchell sealing the three points for the Rooks.

HOME

Carshalton have made their kits in-house for a while now, and they do a decent job. This one is a bit reminiscent of our current home offering, with the smaller stripes going up, except white instead of black, and fading out halfway up. It’s a decent looking strip, and the badge and sponsor being colour matched is always nice. 6/10

AWAY

Very different, both from their own home strip and from kits in general. The green is a bit weird, but the hi-vis and white strip down the middle somehow saves it. I may be of the unpopular opinion here, but I’m a fan. 7/10

To Wingate and Finchley

Who are they?: Wingate and Finchley are based in North London, and are stalwarts in this division. In fact, they are the only team to remain in this league longer than the Rooks themselves (and Carshalton, since both teams got promoted at the same time). The Blues (common nickname, that) are currently in a dogged season, fighting relegation, so will be up for a scrappy game when the Rooks come to visit.

How do we get there?: The nearest train, or tube in this case, station to the ground is West Finchley, being a 20 minute (1.2km) walk away. The club also recommend East Finchley as an option, being slightly further away but offering buses closer to the ground.

What’s around?: The Millers play out of the Maurice Rebak stadium in Finchley (but not Wingate), with a capacity of 2638, with 500 seated. The ground is named after co-founder Maurice Rebak, who was honoured with the name change when he passed in 2016. On the way to the ground, any travelling contingent have a few options for refreshments; The King of Prussia and The Bohemian are the two pubs I’ve seen most recommended, but I will also throw The Bald Faced Stag on the list purely because I like the name.

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 Trevor Wells, John Peel, Stan Lahood, Jim Cheek, Roger Warner, Ben Hall, Lisa Emery
Club Secretary John Peel

COO Kelly Lindsey
Fan Engagement Manager Shrey Nilvarna
Social Media Team Stan Lahood, Tom Mason, Daniel Lloyd, Luke Underhill, Joe Warsop-Davies

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
First team Coach Elyon Marshall-Katung
Goalkeeping Coach Sheikh Ceesay
Under-18s Manager Dale Hurley

Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editor Shrey Nilvarna

Progcast Editors Stan Lahood, Harvey Lock, Charlie Sundaram

Club Photographer James Boyes