‘We can’t tolerate that’ – Lewes bosses rue familiar errors
Lewes assistant manager Bryan Nzinga says the club’s management team “can’t tolerate” basic errors from their side after a 3-0 defeat at Cray Wanderers.
Nzinga identified how the Rooks’ players needed to hold accountability better for their organisation and attitude in the defeat.
While the result did not adversely affect Lewes’ league position, it was a setback after the highs of a 3-0 Easter Monday win over Sussex rivals Whitehawk.
After going 1-0 down within 90 seconds in Kent, Lewes created several chances in the first half, only for their threat to drop off in a damaging second 45 minutes.
“It’s about mentality and taking accountability in every single moment, which I think the boys could’ve done better, to be honest,” said Nzinga.
“It takes zero talent, and the boys know that. It’s about being honest. That’s what accountability looks like.
“The attitude has to be consistent throughout the game, because that’s what the fans demand from us.”
With former Horsham winger Daniel Ajakaiye making it 2-0 in the 49th minute and Alex Hernandez scoring his second of the game in the 71st minute, Lewes fell quickly to their 12th defeat across 18 games in 2026.
Though they are now mathematically safe after Cray Valley PM failed to win at the weekend and Hashtag United have applied for voluntary relegation, Lewes’ level of performances and form will need to improve significantly going into 2026-27.
“That extra 1% is what’s needed, and I think sometimes in that game you had players just not showing that,” said Nzinga.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got cameras watching the game and fans who travelled all this way, so there’s no hiding place.
“I think we can’t tolerate that anymore. We’ve got two games to go and we’ve got to be ready.”
The first of those two remaining games comes in the form of a final home game this Saturday, as the Rooks host Wingate & Finchley (kick-off 3pm).
The London-based side sit level on points with the Rooks but above them in 15th place due to their superior goal difference, and boast positive form, with 11 points from their last seven games.
For Lewes, a win could still help them finish as high as 13th in the Isthmian Premier Division table, although they could still finish 19th - within the bottom four - too.