Whitehawk to play Lewes for the first time

By Tim Embleton

Whitehawk FC make the short trip to Lewes tomorrow (Saturday 8 December) for a local derby at the Dripping Pan.

Whitehawk sit at the top of the Ryman Premier Division going into this game with 29 points gained so far this season. Second placed Margate have the same points though, and a game in hand.

The Hawks have been in top form recently, with their last defeat a 1-0 loss against Hampton & Richmond at Beveree Stadium on 13 October.

Since then Darren Freeman’s side has been unbeaten in their last six league games.

They were 2-0 down at the Enclosed Ground against Kingstonian on 6 November, but the match was abandoned due to floodlight failure.

A Ryman league committee is expected to make a decision later in the month as to whether the match should be replayed.

Lewes have had an inconsistent start to the season but are now unbeaten in four league games, with their last loss coming against Bury Town on 10 November.

Both teams managed a home draw in last weekend’s fixtures. Whitehawk played a goalless match against sixteenth-placed Harrow Borough, while Lewes drew 1-1 against fifteenth-placed East Thurrock.

Despite the two teams being very close to each other, Whitehawk and Lewes have never played each other before.

Whitehawk were promoted to the Ryman Premier League as Ryman League (Division One South) champions in the 2011-12 season.

Lewes are playing their second season in the Ryman Premier Division having been relegated from the Blue Square South in the 2010-11 season.