King: Everyone wants to beat us

The Rooks were this week coming to terms with their second home defeat in succession, a 1-0 reversal at the hands of Bognor, having previously gone 12 games unbeaten in the league at the Dripping Pan.

And King warned that other teams would want to emulate Bognor and Hampton '“ who beat the Rooks 2-1 at the Pan two weeks previously '“ because as league leaders, Lewes were the top scalp in the division.

However, before the Rooks have a chance to put their home form back on track, they face at trip to York Road, home of Maidenhead United, tomorrow.

The Magpies' home form this season has been so poor that Maidenhead manager Johnson Hippolyte was moved to recreate the feeling of an away trip for the recent home match against Basingstoke.

His decision to take his players on a coach around the town before returning to York Road backfired, however, when the Magpies lost 2-1.

King said, "Their away form is decent. They've won seven away from home 14 games.

"But their home form is terrible. In 13 home games, they've drawn four, won one and lost nine.

"But any team in this league can cause you trouble if you're not right.

"Everybody wants to beat Lewes '“ particularly during the run-in to the season.

"Maidenhead have got pace up front '“ they're very quick up front.

"And they've got a decent midfield pairing.

"We've got to keep going and try and win every game.

"I told the players I wanted to see them out of the blocks quickly in every game.

"We did that against Welling when we were 3-0 up inside 10 minutes, and we flew out of the traps again on Saturday against Bognor.

"But we have got to convert our chances.

King added new loan signing Charley Hearn to the squad in time for Saturday's encounter with Bognor.

Hearn, who has signed for a month from Grays Athletic, was selected as a substitute but did not play. King said Hearn's reputation as a quality player was renowned throughout the division.

"Last year he was the best player in the Conference South.

"He's got good experience, played at a high level and is a very good footballer.

"I got him in because I needed to freshen things up a bit.

Hearn's arrival coincides with the departure on a month's loan of young goalkeeper Stuart Williams.

King told Express Sport last week that the recent signing from Three Bridges would be immediately put out on loan to give him experience of playing at a greater level of intensity than he would have been had he stayed in the County League.

Robinson has been loaned to Combined County League side Cove, who currently lie fourth in the table.

King said, "It's equivalent to the County League but Cove are involved in a race for the championship.

"We'll take it one step at a time for Stuart. We'll steadily increase the standard of football he's exposed to."

King revealed that "one or two" more Rooks players would be put out on loan "in the next few days".

Apart from Steve Elliott (broken arm), King has a full squad available for tomorrow's game.