Men's football news
Written by: Joe
Tony Russell says the “old swagger” has returned to his Lewes players after a dominant display in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Margate nudged the Rooks into the Isthmian Premier League playoff places.
Goals either side of half time from Joe Taylor and Razz Coleman De-Graft earned the Rooks a second win in the space of three days, after Saturday’s 2-1 triumph at Folkestone.
The two results, which have come off the back of a team bonding session last week, means Russell’s side have jumped to fifth in the table with five games remaining.
And the boss says the confidence within the team was on full show for the 601 fans inside the Dripping Pan.
“I’m delighted in the fact that our confidence is coming back,” says Russell. “Saturday was a real battle but today we had our old swagger back. You could see it in the way we were moving the ball. We probably left three or four goals out there, maybe more.
“It was the manner in which we played that pleased me. That’s us, that’s Lewes, that’s our style of football.
“We enjoyed it, got on the ball and expressed ourselves. It’s easy to say this but when the boys aren’t confident and not winning games, and I’m saying ‘get on the ball and be brave’, especially here in front of 600 people, it’s a lot easier said than done.
“We’ve just spent the whole week boosting them up. The team bonding at quasar was great, we got them away from football and let them enjoy each other’s company. We want them to associate that positivity every time they come together, rather than negativity.
“Everything has been positive and today I really enjoyed that. I thought we were top quality and we’ve found our level of football. That is seriously good football. We missed a lot of chances but we had plenty of shots and maybe 70% of the ball, so the fans will have gone home happy.”
‘I had the best seat in the house’
Lewes needed just 12 minutes to take the lead at a sodden night at the Pan, with Taylor pouncing on a loose ball in the box to bundle home. And while the Rooks had to wait for early in the second half for Razz’s stunning second, Russell was never in doubt as to where the points would be heading.
“When we played Bishop’s Stortford we were so low. But at training last week we made a pact with each other to be positive. No more negativity,” says Russell.
“If we can’t get into the playoffs then so be it, but we’re going to back ourselves and each other – no moaning, just be brave and attack. And if it doesn’t work then it doesn’t work.
“At half time I said to them that the score was irrelevant. Our pact is our pact, and we’re going to keep going forward.
“I told them I was loving watching them play. I told them I had the best seat in the house, sitting on the cool box on the touchline! I told them they’re a joy to watch and if you keep playing like you are, you’ll create those chances. I thought we were class today.”
Next up for Lewes is a home tie with Wingate & Finchley on Saturday. There are still tickets available for the 3pm kick off, and fans can get a discount by buying Lewes FC tickets online in advance.