Unreal – then outclassed: Nelson reflects on Lewes FC’s week of extremes
Lewes manager Craig Nelson admitted his side were “totally outclassed” by league leaders Enfield Town in a 2-0 midweek defeat.
The loss came after an encouraging weekend when the Rooks secured a 3-2 win at Dulwich Hamlet.
Taken together, the results saw Lewes keep their position in the play-offs, albeit dropping from 4th to 5th after Dartford usurped them on goal difference.
The pair of fixtures began with a trip to Champion Hill, where the Rooks enjoyed their best away day of the 2025-26 season with a 4-1 win in mid-December.
They repeated that feat with another thoroughly impressive performance, responding to a 43rd-minute opener from the hosts with a standout second half.
Goals from Kurtis Cumberbatch, Josh Spinks and Bobby Unwin saw the Rooks roar into control in the gathering South London fog, with an added-time Dulwich response proving to be a consolation.
Lewes shared their celebrations with a large set of supporters at full-time.
Nelson said of the Rooks fans: “They're unreal. We always try to repay them regardless of what the score is, but here feels a little bit special.
“Even at the beginning of the season, they all talked about Dulwich away and making sure we can come here and put out a performance they can go home and be proud of, and they were noisy.
“[Tyler] Cox came over to me and said, ‘They've been unbelievable. I can't wait to get back on the pitch just to clap for them,’ and that's what it means. They were our 12th man, and it's a pleasure to be able to stand in front of them with three points.”
With their trip to Enfield having been rescheduled to a Tuesday night, Lewes had an uphill task against a side in title contention.
The Rooks began their season with a 4-0 loss to the North London side, and while they started much better on the road, reaching half-time at a stalemate, the hosts’ quality eventually won out.
“I think we're looking at the champions of the league,” said Nelson.
“I felt we had to ride a lot of waves in the first half, but we dug in to keep it nil-nil, and then ran out of luck.
“It's probably the first time I've stood in front of you guys and said that we were totally outplayed, outclassed, outmatched, outrun, and outduelled. So I think you can't ever stand on the other side of that and expect to get anything from the game.”
Another busy week awaits the Rooks, with a home meeting with Isthmian Premier Division basement club Stanway Rovers this Saturday (3pm kick-off) before a Sussex Senior Cup trip to Eastbourne Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm).