Men's football news
Written by: Joe
Lewes FC are heading for a tantalising clash with in-form Carshalton Athletic at the War Memorial Sports Ground on Saturday.
Tony Russell’s troops bounced back from the 3-1 loss at Hornchurch at the end of January with a drama-filled 3-2 triumph over East Thurrock last weekend.
The Rooks could regain third place in the Isthmian Premier League table with three points at Carshalton, who themselves are steadily climbing up the table.
Of course, this would also mean Bishop’s Stortford dropping points at Enfield.
Physio’s been busy
And Russell isn’t taking this game for granted after seeing his troops secure a slender 1-0 victory over Carshalton back in November.
Indeed, at the forefront of the boss’ mind has been the injuries sustained to a number of his playing squad over the past few weeks.
“Our physio has been busy again this week, so we won’t know until later in the week on a couple of players for Saturday,” Russell admits.
“We’ve done some work on Carshalton and it went well, so I feel we are ready.
“Carshalton are a good side, and we will need to play well.”
Carshalton’s strong home form
Indeed, Russell’s men got a taste of how tough former Rook Peter Adeniyi’s team can be when these sides clashed at the Dripping Pan in the autumn.
Daniel Bassett came close for the opposition that day, while Tommy Bradford hit the post. But it was a Michael Klass rocket from 25 yards that finally broke the deadlock with just 16 minutes remaining.
Carshalton may be boosted by the arrival of striker Dan Roberts on loan from Dartford. What’s more, they have denied Lewes all but one point from the last four meetings between these sides at Colston Avenue.
And Russell, in a recent interview with the Sussex Express, is wary of the threat Saturday’s opponents will bring.
“Carshalton is the sort of place away that if you get it wrong and you don’t turn up you just don’t get beat, you get ironed out and you will get battered,” he said.
“We beat them at home but we’re going to have to play well, there’s no doubt about it but I do think if we do play well, we will win, I’m confident in that.”