‘Must do better’ – Nelson wants more as Lewes FC face tough test
Lewes manager Craig Nelson admits his side ‘have got to do better’ after going down to a 5-0 home defeat to league leaders Folkestone Invicta.
Despite having two big first-half chances against their Kent visitors, the Rooks trailed 1-0 at half-time and then shipped four goals in the closing 25 minutes.
After losing 6-0 to the same opponents last October in what proved to be previous manager Bradley Pritchard’s final outing, the latest result exposed some of the same issues.
“I'm a bit disappointed with how the game ended, because it isn't a true reflection of how I thought the 90 minutes went,” said Nelson. “But you cannot give time and space to players of that ilk. With them being league leaders, they will punish you.
“Even at 2-0, the boys have got to try and stay in the game a bit more, rather than maybe feeling a bit sorry for themselves and thinking the game may be finished From a personal pride perspective, we've got to do better in those moments to make sure it's not a heavy defeat. Especially being at home, I expect a bit more.”
While the result continued a challenging run for the Rooks in 2026, with just two wins and three goals in six outings, it also exposed a gulf in resources between them and the league leaders.
Folkestone - who boasted the likes of former EFL striker Joe Pigott and ex-Worthing forward Jake Hutchinson in a star-studded squad - boast significant financial backing this season. Lewes, meanwhile, were forced to hand home debuts to three players, as well as filling their bench with two under-18 players, amid another turnover in their squad.
“We’re not a club that can throw loads of money at everybody,” said Nelson. “We’re a club where opportunities present themselves, and hopefully we identify the right people to come in and take those opportunities.
“By this stage of the season, [recruitment] is tough, because you're going to have teams that are fighting for promotion or play-offs, and then others that are really down there, and hopefully you might be able to nick one of them. We will do the best we can with what we feel we need to do.”
Nelson hinted at making two additions, with one of those being a striker.
The Rooks welcome second-placed Aveley to The Dripping Pan on Saturday, with a 3pm kick-off.