There are league games, and then there are crucial league games. Whitehawk versus Lewes rarely disappoints, and this is a Boxing Day classic between two free-flowing sides at The Enclosed Ground.

5 weeks ago saw the last meeting between the sides. It was memorable from a Whitehawk perspective, yet this promises to be another close affair in a South Downs derby where manager Shaun Saunders will be hoping his side get back on track after a few defeats and draws on the road.

And, incredibly, this is the Hawks’ first Saturday 3pm kick-off at home since the last hosting of Lewes. It’s been a ruthless tour of the south east in recent weeks with some fabulous points in the road, but now it’s time to return home for a fine festive fixture.

Team News

It’s been a busy few days at The Enclosed Ground, with a number of new (and old!) faces joining to bolster Saunders’ squad as we step into a busy couple of months.

Cam Tutt joined last week ahead of the Carshalton defeat, and he’ll be in contention to keep his place in the defence with Hamish Morrison looking to get back into contention following his injury.

Jaden Perez joined from Farnborough to bolster the midfield, whilst the returning Rob O’Toole and Alex Malins add further quality in the forward and defensive positions respectively.

The Opposition

In the previous preview, we mentioned Lewes’ inconsistencies in a league season that has yet to really get started. There’s been some excellent results, and the Rooks are certainly strong at The Dripping Pan, but a few defeats on the road seems them floating around mid table, lurking close to their nearby Hawks.

Full focus is on the league now for Tony Russell’s side, and with victory in their last league fixture they’ll be hoping that is the turning point, the result to drive them up towards the play-offs where they aim to be.

One to Watch | Tommy Wood: One of a few options for our ‘One to Watch’, yet Wood just about claims the title as the club’s leading goalscorer this season. He’s been in consistently good form, too, as the 24-year-old forward has certainly made his mark on this new season.

A product of Burnley’s academy, he’d later head down south as AFC Wimbledon came calling. Struggling for a starting place, he’d depart Kingsmeadow in 2020 for National League South side Tonbridge Angels, scoring 15 in 40 appearances. A brief stint at Hampton & Richmond followed, before he signed for the Rooks in August.

Recent Form – LWLLW

18/11 | Whitehawk (A) | Lost 3-1 (FA Trophy)

25/11 | Haringey Borough (H) | Won 4-1

2/12 | Concord Rangers (A) | Lost 4-1

9/12 | Dulwich Hamlet (H) | Lost 2-0

16/12 | Cheshunt (H) | Won 2-1

Previous Meetings

The two sides last locked horns last month in the FA Trophy, when a fine Charlie Walker brace was met with an even finer Dominic Johnson-Fisher strike to seal a 3-1 victory over Tony Russell’s side. 

But you’ll have to travel back to 2019 for the previous time these sides met in a competitive fixture. And, despite the relegation doom, the Hawks mustered a fine 3-1 win at The Dripping Pan on that early March day, with the return fixture ending in a 1-0 win for Lewes.

Prior to that, the 2012/13 Ryman Premier campaign saw the sides in the same league once again, with Whitehawk completing a league double courtesy of a 3-1 home win and a 3-2 away win.

How to Follow

If you can’t make it to the Boxing Day clash, then you can follow the action via our X (Twitter) channel, which can be found here.

Tickets

Tickets can be bought at The Enclosed Ground on the day of the game for a £1 additional fee, or you can buy online by clicking this link.