Lewes manager ready for a Boxing Day derby 'spectacle' against Hastings United

Coming off the back of two fantastic wins against Haringey Borough and Kingstonian The Rooks were set to play Canvey Island and Wingate & Finchley before both ties were postponed due to poor weather conditions.

The postponements has meant that Russell’s Lewes side haven’t played in 19 days, something Russell is certainly not pleased about.

“It’s a little bit frustrating because we have come off the back of two wins. We felt like we were starting to get a bit of wind in our sails, and we were keen to continue playing but at the end of the day there’s not much we can do about it,” he said about the situation.

“We have worked so hard to get momentum and starting to turn a corner, but it is what it is. It’s the same for everyone.”

Lewes will look to continue their good run of form though on Boxing Day as they take on Hastings United away from home.

The game is set to be a very entertaining affair with both sides neck and neck in the Isthmian League table. Just one point separating the two teams, in 10th and 11th, from one another.

“Hastings is always a tough place to go. I know how hard it is to go there. I know how passionate and vocal their fans are so they will be right behind them. It’ll be a tricky game, but I know what we’ve got,” Russell said, looking ahead to the game.

“We will have a nice and tense training session and we will go into that game on the back of two wins - away from home as well. We know it will be a hard place to go but we just need to make sure everyone is fit and healthy.”

Russell had plenty of praise for the Hastings players and manager and assured that the fans are in for some fantastic and tense football on Boxing Day saying:

“Our first game was very tactical.

"They came with a game plan, and we countered it. So, I do think it will be a tactical game.

"It will be a good spectacle. I’ve got a lot of respect for their manager, so it is a game we are looking forward to for sure.”