Russell: “I have a lot of time for Robbie Blake” – Lewes Community Football Club

Russell: “I have a lot of time for Robbie Blake”


Russell: “I have a lot of time for Robbie Blake”

Club news

Written by: Jack

Tomorrow, we welcome Bognor Regis Town to the Dripping Pan for Isuzu FA Trophy action. 

Speaking ahead of the game, Tony Russell, gives an update on what has been a really difficult period for injuries.

“It’s been a tough week for us having to postpone the Worthing game. The injuries have been really bad for us, an absolute nightmare to be honest!

“We’ve had Johnville, Deshane, and Marcel all ill, haven’t trained this week, it’ll be very last minute with them. We’re hopeful on one or two of them being available.

“Tom Champion wasn’t well either and thankfully he’s much better now. JT got a bang in the eye in last week’s game, it completely closed up, but he’s looking basically okay now.

“Pritchard came off with a hamstring injury against Cray on Saturday and I don’t think he’ll make the game. Same with Rhys Murrell-Williamson, he came off with a groin problem, I don’t think he’ll make it.

“Deon has been struggling with a hamstring injury, he’s making good progress but he will be out as well. Ronan Silva is out with an achilles and unfortunately that means the end of his loan spell with us now, we’ve spoke with Crawley and he’s had to go back.

“So it’s been so tough, we couldn’t train last week leading up to Cray because we didn’t have enough players, so we gave them some rest. We trained this week but plenty missing.

“We’ve been really busy trying to sign players, speaking to the club trying to get bodies in, we’re really low at the moment so hopefully there will be a couple of new boys in on Saturday.

“We’re also hopeful that the boys who haven’t been feeling well are feeling better ahead of tomorrow. I plan to speak to them tonight and see how they’re getting on. It’s not ideal preparation and Bognor are a good side.”

In terms of our opponents for Saturday, Tony has nothing but respect for and hypes up what he believes will be a high-level of football.

“I have a lot of time for Robbie Blake (Bognor manager), he’s a real nice guy and I’ve had some good conversations with him, just a really good football man and it’ll be a pleasure to share a line with him.

“He always has his sides well-coached, well-drilled, and I do think it will be a really good game. I’ve watched some video, I’ve been to watch them, they have high energy, high-press, attack in numbers, very similar to us really,

“So I think it will make for a really good game, I’m looking forward to what will be two good sides going at it. From our perspective it’s just a ridiculous amount of games in the schedule at the moment it’s taking its toll on the squad.

“I felt even at Cray we looked really lethargic in the second-half. It’s hard for the boys because they’re working on the side of playing twice a week and it’s a lot to ask of them. I’m glad the boys have had some rest this week because it’ll be a high energy game against Bognor, and a hard one.”

Lewes FC vs Bognor Regis Town tickets

The match on Saturday is at 3pm. You can buy tickets for the game online and skip the queue at the gate. Online ticket prices are as follows:

Adults – £12
Concessions – £8
Kids U16 – Free
Beach Huts – £110

Photo: James Boyes