Dripping In Sweat - Lewes vs. Dulwich Hamlet

View of The Dripping Pan towards the clubhouse end

Lewes is one of my favourite grounds and I'd been meaning to revisit for a long time. So on the first baking hot Saturday of pre season provided the perfect opportunity. There is a one division gap between the two sides although this could have been bigger if Dulwich had won The Ryman Premier Play Off Final against East Thurrock at the end of the previous season. My previous visit to Lewes had been when they were in The Conference South and they played Havant And Waterlooville on that occasion.

Kick off at The Dripping Pan

Dulwich take the lead when the ball is pulled back from the byline and slotted home. Lewes grow into the game as it goes on and they get an equaliser when the midfielder gives the ball away and they score from the subsequent attack. Early in the second half, Lewes take the lead when the forward dances through the defence to make it 2-1. This is where my memory begins to let me down, I know Dulwich respond with four unanswered goals but I don't remember too many specifics! A lesson to not take over a week to right a report. Despite my memory loss it was still an entertaining pre season match up.

Grass bank down one side which provides elevated views

Trains to Lewes depart from London Victoria and if there aren't issues with the train not being able to divide properly at Haywards Heath then the trip takes just under an hour. The ground is then literally round the corner from the station. As the home to Harvey's Brewery you'd expect Lewes to have a couple of decent and it certainly doesn't disappoint. The other side of The High Street to the station is the excellent Elephant and Castle which has over sixty beers on offer as well as tasty own brew. Then just around the corner is The Lewes Arms which had a good selection of beers and a decent garden terrace out back. The town itself is worth exploring beforehand with the picturesque High Street as well as the castle. The bar in the ground was also impressive with a couple of Harvey's hand pulled ales as well as the usual selection of lagers. 

Dulwich defend in the first half