Lewes FC will seek to continue their positive pre-season form as they welcome National League South side Dorking Wanderers to The Dripping Pan on Saturday.

Craig Nelson’s side have beaten Rusthall and Hastings United, as well as drawing with a Gillingham under-21 side, in their warm-up games so far.

Goals from Noel Fisher and Charlie Walker gave them a 2-1 victory over Isthmian League South East Division side Hastings last Saturday, while a stalemate followed on Tuesday night against Scott Wagstaff’s Gillingham youth side - albeit with the Rooks unfortunate not to score.

Lewes will be hopeful of also giving Marc White’s side a stern test. Dorking finished 4th in last season’s National League South and lost in the Play-Off Semi-Finals.

Calum Newson, one of the new recruits at Lewes | Picture: LFC

placeholder image — Calum Newson, one of the new recruits at Lewes | Picture: LFC

Wanderers have had a slow start to pre-season, losing to Isthmian Premier Division sides Leatherhead and Chatham Town and only narrowly beating Step 4 sides Bognor Regis Town and Jersey Bulls.

Nelson’s squad is taking shape nicely after Danny Bassett, Ryan Bernal and Tyler Christian-Law confirmed their return to the club, and forwards Calum Newson and Brian Garzon were unveiled as new additions this week.

After the Hastings result, assistant manager Brian Nzinga commented it was “good to get another win on the board”.

“I think we had some great moments defensively, and in possession, we did well,” said Nzinga. “We could’ve threatened the backline a bit more, but there were positives across the board.”

Back at the Pan - fans and Rooks players after last weekend's friendly with Hastings | Picture: James Boyes

After their pre-season fixtures began against sides in Steps 5 and 4 respectively, Lewes have been building up to their competitive campaign gradually, with their biggest tests to come.

“As the games progress, we want to get as close to a tempo and expectation as we would experience when the league games start,” said Nzinga.

“We want to test ourselves defensively, we want to test ourselves on the ball, and I think it’s good to give the boys a run for their money to show us they can play with courage and passion, as they should do for Lewes.”

Meanwhile, Lewes’ fixtures for the 2026-27 have been confirmed, with their season starting on Saturday 8th August, when Enfield Town are the visitors to The Dripping Pan.

August will be a busy month for the Rooks, as six fixtures include Sussex derbies against Whitehawk (away on Tuesday 11th) and Eastbourne Borough (home on Monday 31st).