Welcome to The Dripping Pan for this evening’s Isthmian League Premier game versus Billericay Town. 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 the Dripping Pan for everyone from Billericay Town FC.

The Isthmian League Premier Division is getting very congested mid table and only four points separate Lewes in 16th position and Billericay in 8th. Therefore getting three points at home this evening will be an important step in getting us back into the top half of the table.

Craig has been working hard behind the scenes in moulding and building a squad to play the level of football that we all want to see at the Pan. So far we have had highs (Brentwood) and lows (Chatham) as the team is a work in progress.

Dark December nights are when the team and supporters need to dig in together to make home advantage count and secure the points.

The next couple of weeks are a busy time for the club with our AGM on Thursday, another big home game on Saturday against Dartford and then on Sunday 14th December our Women’s team have a massive FA Cup tie at the Pan with the televised 3rd round match against Crystal Palace 4pm kick off.

Come on you Rooks!

Trevor

The Gaffer speaks after thrilling encounter against Hashtag

Craig Nelson spoke to the club once again immediately following our 3-3 draw against Hashtag United this past Saturday. He spoke on how he felt the game went, how we can improve, and the positives looking into tonight.

Pitts reflects on today’s 3-3 draw 💬 pic.twitter.com/wlKi3bboWa

— Lewes FC Men (@LewesFCMen) November 29, 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.

Alex Kpakpe: A fast and phyiscal left-back, Alex joins from Cray Valley PM having previously played for Hastings United, Aveley, and Wingate & Finchley in this division. Alex is a product of the Chelsea academy and was also played in a friendly for Rangers in 2023.

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.

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.

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.

Alfie Allen: Allen is a central midfielder who can operate in both defensive or attacking-minded roles; a great passer of the ball and a calm presence in midfield, Alfie rejoins the Rooks after a spell at Tonbridge Angels.

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.

Bobby Unwin: Bobby returns to Lewes after a good spell at Tonbridge Angels, scoring thrice and putting in multiple great performances at Step 2, before rejoining the Rooks to add pace, ball-carrying, and goal threat to the side.

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.

Kpakpe signs on

Lewes FC are delighted to announce the signing of Alex Kpakpe, who we welcome from Cray Valley PM. Alex is a left-footed defender capable of playing left-back or centre-half, and has plenty of experience in this division, previously lining up for The Millers as well as Aveley, Hastings United, and Wingate & Finchley.

Alex is a product of Chelsea’s youth academy, signing a youth contract at Stamford Bridge at just 14, and his first profesional contract with them at just 17, however his time at the Blues was halted through a few unfortunate injuries. He later signed a contract with Rangers in Scotland in 2023, lining up consistently for their B team and even with the senior squad in a friendly, so hopefully that senior experience can help Pitts’ side out. Welcome, Alex!

Match Report: Lewes hold on to claim encouraging point against the Tags

Lewes picked up another important point this past Saturday against a struggling Hashtag United side in Aveley, however this game was not a demonstration of the Tags’ struggles, as they dominated large parts of the match, and Lewes defended well to hold onto the result.

In what could be described as a six-pointer if you were being pessimistic, Pitts’ Rooks came into this game in 16th needing to pick up some momentum to start to separate themselves from the dreaded bottom four. The Tags, meanwhile, were in 19th, three points adrift of safety. You may think this would have lead to a cagey start, but you would have been very wrong as both teams came out of the traps with intent. Hashtag struck first, with a curling finish from the edge of the box by Praise Ogbebor putting the home side ahead after just 7 minutes, but Lewes responded well, as Bobby Unwin peeled away from his man to slot in an equaliser just 5 minutes later. Hashtag then upped the pressure, applying a very high press throughout the first half to keep the Rooks penned in their own half to pretty good effect.

We found a breakthrough however, as Kaan Bennett dropped into his own half to nick a ball away from the Tags midfield, before slotting a lovely through pass to Martell Taylor-Crossdale who calmly dispatched his now one-on-one situation to put Lewes 2-1 ahead. We could not hold onto this lead however, as Hashtag responded to our second goal much like how we responded to the opener, as Evans Kouassi found himself on the end of a lofted ball just 3 minutes later, which he smashed pass Rogers to equalise. This half was not done yet though, and Lewes found another opportunity right at the end of it; a corner was won by Ryan Bernal, who whipped it at the near post into a sea of bodies before it eventually was bundled in by either Alfie Allen or Tags keeper Jack Giddens. Not the prettiest goal by any stretch, but a big one as Lewes went into the break 3-2 up.

The second half would not be quite as exciting, leaning more into the cagey aspects we expected from the start, but unfortunately the home side found a breakthrough midway through it, thanks to more high pressure and an awkwardly high pass, the Rooks midfield lost out on a few duels before a sweeping ball found its way to Kouassi again, who calmly finished to even the game up once again in the 66th minute. The rest of the game was end-to-end, with a few nervy moments on both sides, and particularly a few good saves from Louis Rogers.

Lewes had a golden opportunity to win it in the 85th minute, when sub Charlie Walker controlled a ball from Bennett in the box, cut back inside to send the Tags defender sliding and leave him one-on-one from 10 yards, but he agonisingly dragged his effort just wide of the post. I’d honestly have put my house on him scoring it, but it wasn’t to be. The game ended 3-3 after all that, but there were plenty of encouraging signs from the Rooks in terms of attacking intent, and coupled with the fact that most of the teams around us lost, it made it feel like a decent point earned in the end.

Billericay Town FC

• Billericay Town was founded as Billericay Football Club in 1880. The club competed in the Romford & District League up until World War I. The Blues then moved to the Mid-Essex League, in which they played until 1947 when they joined the Southern Essex Combination League. 1946 was when Billericay adopted their current name of Billericay Town.
• Success came shortly after joining the Essex Olympian League in 1966 when in 1969-70 and 1970-71, the Blues won the League and League Cup double in consecutive seasons. This success moved Billericay up to the Essex Senior League, in which they finished runners-up in their first season and won the title at the second time of asking.
• The Blues made it three titles in five years as another runner-up finish was followed by back-to-back titles. They also won two successive FA Vase titles in this period of great success for the club.
• In 1977, Billericay switched over to the Athenian League, which they won with their first attempt. 1978-79 saw the club retain the Athenian League, as well as winning the FA Vase for the third time in four years, with Doug Young becoming the only player to score a hat-trick in an FA Vase final. The following season saw the Blues promoted to the Isthmian League Division Two, which they won at the first time of asking.
• Now in Division One, the club did slightly worse, this time finishing second, still achieving promotion to the Premier Division, however. Billericay remained in the Division until 1985-86 when they suffered relegation. This was followed by another relegation to Division Two North in 1988-89.
• The Blues turned this form around a few years later, winning promotion back to Division One in 1992-93 and finally back to the Premier Division in 1997-98. That season, they also reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, eventually losing 3-2 at home to Wisbech Town. This feat was repeated in 2004-05 as the club lost to Stevenage Borough this time. Billericay qualified for the play-offs twice in the 2000s, losing in the semi-final in 2004-05 and the final in 2006-07.
• 2007-08 saw the Blues qualify for another FA Cup first round, this time suffering defeat to then League One Swansea City. The Essex Senior Cup returned to Billericay in 2010-11 for the second time, beating Aveley 2-0 in the final. This was followed by the Blues winning the Isthmian Premier Division and gaining promotion to the Conference South. Billericay’s stay in the Conference South did not last long, however, as they suffered relegation the following season.
• The club reached the FA Cup first round for the fourth time in 2017-18, losing to Leatherhead in a replay. The season also saw them win the Premier Division again, earning promotion to the National League South (formerly the Conference South).
• The club finished rock bottom of the National League South in 2021-22 and were relegated back to the Isthmian Premier. After a mid-table 10th place in their first season back in the division, this was improved to 6th in their second season and 2nd last season, qualifying for the play-offs and losing to Dover Athletic in the semi-final.
• Billericay currently sit in 8th place after 18 games and will be eyeing up another play-off spot so we can expect tonight’s game to be a difficult one for the Rooks. So, make sure you come down to the Pan and show your support.

Elliot Long

Elliot Long joined Billericay Town from Welling United in February of this year and has shown himself to be a highly important player in their squad having scored four goals in the Blues’ last four league games. Expect the 10 to be a real threat to the Rooks’ back line this evening.

Sat 15 Feb 2025	Isthmian Prem	Ricay	4-2	Lewes	Att. 939
Sat 12 Oct 2024	Isthmian Prem	Lewes	2-2	Ricay	Att. 1551
Tue 6 Feb 2024	Isthmian Prem	Lewes	0-3	Ricay	Att. 440
Sat 20 Jan 2024	Isthmian Prem	Ricay	5-0	Lewes	Att. 1201
Sat 25 Feb 2023	Isthmian Prem	Lewes	1-1	Ricay	Att. 926

I hate playing Billericay. We have a torrid record against the Blues, not beating them a single time since they came back to this league in 2022, and even before that, we’ve not beaten them at all since 2013, when Matt Crabb (remember the Crabb brothers?) scored the only goal in a 1-0 away victory. Our last encounter was also up in Essex, and was a better showing than some efforts, but still resulted in a 4-2 defeat despite goals from Hassan Jalloh and Calvin Ekpiteta. Hopefully we can turn this awful record around this evening.

HOME

Looks like water. pretty cool. Also made by Puma which you don’t see very often at this level. 7/10

AWAY

Looks like red water. If you remember their goalkeeper kit from last season, that one looked like a Lucozade bottle so clearly they have a liquid theme going on for some reason. Still pretty decent. 7/10

To Dulwich Hamlet

Who are they?: Dulwich Hamlet are a team based in the Dulwich part of Croydon in South London, and are one of the more establised teams in the division, having previously spent multiple years in the National League South. Formed in 1893, the Hamlet have become famous for their pink and blue club colours, large crowds, and their home ground of Champion Hill has become one of the more recognisable in non-league.

How do we get there?: The nearest two train stations to Champion Hill are East Dulwich and Denmark Hill; both are equally pretty close to the ground, and spit you out right in the Dulwich area, so it’s a pretty easy journey.

What’s around?: For a change, there’s quite a lot going on around Champion Hill. Dulwich is something of a hipster-y bit of South London, so there are dozens of pubs to choose from, as well as food options. Two that tend to be popular with Rooks fans are The East Dulwich Tavern and The Cherry Tree, but you could probably walk five minutes and find a decent pub so take your pick.

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