Lewes vs Cray Wanderers – Isthmian Premier – Saturday 26th April, 3 pm – Match Preview
Pics: Steve Cullum
After what seems like a whirlwind Cray Wanderers final game of a momentous first season at a home of their own sees Tim O’Shea’s side head to East Sussex to face Lewes at the Dripping Pan. Kick off 3 pm.
On what promises to be one of the most dramatic final days of the Isthmian Premier season many can remember with three teams vying for the title and one playoff place up for grabs perhaps events at Lewes will be a bit more off the radar but nonetheless with both sides in 12th and 10th respectively it should be a relaxed affair in what is expected to be fine and warm Spring afternoon.
Cray come into the game after what appeared a tough and gruelling April schedule which included games against Billericay Town, Horsham and Dartford and came out of those games with four points which in many ways threw a spanner in the works and kept the race going to the end.
A case in point on Easter Monday with Dartford in poll position at the top with a two point lead ahead of Billericay Town and Horsham who all had local derby away games. Cray despite falling behind and having to little to play for fought back for a merited 2-2 draw with Dartford. Frankie Raymond’s penalty and Lateef Adaja’s goal just after half time gave Cray the platform to go toe to toe with the leaders. Following the game all three teams at the top have 84 points with Dartford now in 3rd behind Billericay and Horsham who won their games at Canvey and Bognor Regis respectively.
For the trip to Lewes, Cray will be without captain Tom Bonner who has already committed to the club for the 2025-26 season and Eze Ebouzeme through suspension while there are injury concerns for Management Player of the Year Remi Sutton. With the pressure off and a squad fairly short in numbers this could give an opportunity for some of the younger squad players to get a start. One award yet to be officially claimed is that of Leading Goalscorer which at present is being held by Nyren Clunis with 12 with perhaps Soul Kader on 9 still in with a shout. 
Whatever happens for Cray to finish the season in the top half of the table, on 61 points after only having six going into an away game at Cheshunt in late October and be competitive in every game since shows a squad high in team spirit, ability and togetherness and with the supporters, many of whom are enjoying their first season as part of the Cray Massive every game has been an event as as well as a match and certainly where I am coming from one of the most memorable seasons of all time.
Cray do not have the greatest record down at Lewes with the only league win, 3-2 in the 2019-20 season technically expunged following the outbreak of Covid with goals that day from Mitchell Nelson, Joe Taylor and Andre Coker. Cray also have failed to find the net in the last three trips to Lewes with the last meeting, bizarrely the opening game of the 2023-24 season ending in a 0-1 defeat with a Chris Whelpdale goal for the Rooks.
Lewes will be under the management for the final time under Craig Nelson who will be taking up the position as Tonbridge Angels boss nest season. The Rooks got off to a great start to the season winning the first five matches which included a 3-1 win at Cray (one of only four home league defeats) on 24th August with three goals in ten minutes from Eddie Allsopp and ex-Wands Danny Bassett and Marcus Sablier with Anthony Cook scoring the Wands first league goal at Flamingo Park perhaps the main highlight for a Wands perspective. The team perhaps peaked a little early but like Cray were still in earshot of the playoffs going into March.
The Rooks last match on Monday was a 1-2 defeat at Folkestone Invicta with Sablier opening the scoring before Invicta won the game with two goals before the half hour.
Lewes who are 12th with 55 points at home are traditionally strong and have beaten Chatham Town (2-0), Hashtag United (2-1), Whitehawk (2-1), Bognor Regis Town (4-1), Canvey Island (2-1), Hendon (1-0), Dartford (3-1) and Cray Valley PM (4-1). They drew at home to Hastings United (1-1), Billericay Town (2-2), Dulwich Hamlet (2-2), Folkestone Invicta (0-0), Cheshunt (2-2), Bowers & Pitsea (1-1) and Wingate & Finchley (0-0) with defeats to Dover Athletic (1-3), Chichester City (2-3), Horsham (0-2), Potters Bar Town (2-3) and Carshalton Athletic (1-3). Away from home Lewes won at Bognor Regis (1-0), Cray Wanderers (3-1), Bowers & Pitsea (2-0), Hastings United (1-0), Dulwich Hamlet (3-1) and Cheshunt (2-1). Lewes picked up points at Carshalton Athletic, Chatham Town, Hendon, Wingate & Finchley, Dover Athletic and Cray Valley and lost at Potters Bar Town, Horsham, Dartford, Hashtag United, Whitehawk, Billericay Town, Canvey Island, Chichester City and Folkestone Invicta. In the FA Cup Lewes were beaten in the 1st Qualifying Round by Harefield United on penalties and reached the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy beating Bracknell Town and Ashford United before losing at home to AFC Totton. Top scorer is Danny Bassett but will be ineligible for the game.
For a football experience there are few away days better than a trip to Lewes and to bring the curtain down on the season there makes it an even better way to sign out on an incredible 2024-25 campaign.
DIRECTIONS TO LEWES FC
The Dripping Pan
7 Mountfield Road
Lewes
East Sussex
SAT NAV CODE: BN7 2XA
Admission prices: Adults £13
Concessions £9
Under 16s GO FREE – Must be accompanied by an adult
Online tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lewesfootballclub2/1340907?
Programme: Online
By Car.
The Dripping Pan is at the very start of Mountfield Road, directly behind the station. If you are coming from the north or west, turn off the A27 for Lewes and turn right (signposted Rodmell and Piddinghoe) after about a mile at the first set of traffic lights, adjacent to the prison. Follow that road until you get to a mini roundabout by The Swan pub and turn left. Continue along this road and over the mini-roundabout straight into Mountfield Road where the ground is on your right hand side.
Parking
Metered street parking is available and there is a pay and display car park directly outside the ground (operating 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday) but please be aware that Lewes has quite a number of ‘keen’ traffic wardens patrolling the town so please purchase a ticket where required. To use it, you will also need to have the RingGo app on your phone: iPhone version Android version
There are two bays in the car park for people with Disability Permits. But it should also be noted that this car park does not belong to the club so unfortunately cannot reserve any spaces.
Train
For direct train services there are half hourly trains at 24 and 54 past the hour which go direct and takes about 1 hr 01 min. Returns are at 25 and 55 back to Victoria. You can get services from London Bridge at 15 & 45 past the hour but these require a change at East Croydon
Lewes railway station is about a two minute walk from the Dripping Pan. When you exit the main entrance, turn left and follow the path over the bridge then bear left at the roundabout. The ground will be in front of you.
The Dripping Pan is one of the great away days anywhere in football and if you have time on your hands there is much to see. The ground itself is quite unique with its steep banking and legend states the ground gets its name from when the area had a Salt making industry run by monks from Lewes Priory used to dry water from the river to make salf and accounts for the fact the stadium is sunk into the ground.
For those that like a pre match drink then Lewes is the place for you. Similar in many ways to Faversham as it has links to the Brewing industry with the Harveys Brewery a prominent part of the town just by the river Ouse.
Nearest pubs:
The Lansdown Arms – 36 Lansdown Place, Lewes BN7 2JU
https://www.facebook.com/TheLansdownArms/?locale=en_GB
(A very gothic pub with a tree growing out of it and has live music on Saturday with Blues vocalist and guitarist King Size Slim)
The Brewers Arms – 91 High Street, Lewes BN7
https://www.thebrewersarmslewes.com/menu
The Royal Oak – 3 Station Street, Lewes BN7 2DA (Sports Bar)
https://www.theroyaloaklewes.co.uk/
The Pelham Arms – High Street, Lewes BN7 1XL
https://www.thepelhamarms.co.uk/
The Rights of Man – 179 High Street, Lewes BN7 1YE
https://www.rightsofmanlewes.com/
Elephant & Castle – White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ
https://www.facebook.com/p/Elephant-Castle-100041728638178/?locale=en_GB
Harvey’s Brewery – 6 Cliffe High Street, Lewes BN7 2AH
These all come highly recommended and serve real ales and good food with fresh local produce. Please be aware from previous visits and going to the High Street this is a fairly steep and in parts a cobblely climb so make sure you are feeling fit for the walk.
For those that like a chippy then the Lewes Fish Bar in the High Street could be what you are looking for.
Lewes is a historic market town and the county town of East Sussex. The town is home to a medieval castle within the South Downs and was used during the Battle of Lewes in 1264. There are remains of Lewes Priory which was part destroyed during the battle and also Wealdon Hall House, a timber framed house which is also known as Anne of Cleves House after Henry VIII’s fourth wife although it is a matter of some conjecture whether she actually visited or stayed at the house. Lewes is also close to the home of the Glyndebourne classical music festival and every November 5th is home to the largest bonfire night celebrations in the UK.
The Dripping Pan is one of the more iconic grounds in non-league football and has been their home since 1885 and has also hosted cricket matches and Athletics down the years. It is believed to have its name deriving from being used as a salt mine for the now destroyed Lewes Priory, the remains of which can be seen adjacent to the ground.
