Third-time lucky for dominant Dockers

AFC Uckfield 0 Newhaven FC 5, SCFL Premier Division match #3

After a promising pre-season, the league campaign hasn’t started with the bang that Newhaven would have been hoping for. Two defeats from their opening two league matches most certainly wasn’t in the script.

While campaigns aren’t won or lost in the opening weeks of the season, the Dockers still headed to Uckfield on Tuesday night desperate for a result that would kick their league season into gear. 

Fall too far behind the early-season pace-setters and it can be hard to catch-up. As last season’s ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Littlehampton and Saltdean proved.

It was a point that I’m sure the players will have been made well aware of prior to kick-off (not that they would have needed to be). And one they certainly took on board.

In front of a travelling contingent that once again matched – if not outstripped the home support – Newhaven put on a show to remind their fans just what they’re capable of.

This was the Dockers who had dispatched Canterbury City from the FA Cup so ruthlessly almost a week ago. Attacking with a verve and swagger that few teams at this level will be able to cope with.

In fairness, Newhaven’s job was made easier by the fact that Uckfield’s main tactic seemed to be to simply lump the ball forward time and time again; despite the fact that the Docker’s back four were significantly taller than any of the hosts attackers. It was a tactic that not once looked like working, only serving to constantly give the visitors possession of the football.

The pattern of the match was set from the outset. At times, what was happening on the field resembled more of an attack vs defending drill than it did a competitive football match, such was Newhaven’s total dominance.

Watching from the sideline, it always felt as though one goal would be enough to open the floodgates.

However, getting that goal proved elusive in the opening 35 minutes.

With numerous chances having already gone begging – the best falling to Max Vardy, whose looping shot hit the bar, and Lukas Franzen-Jones, whose instinctive flick was well saved – there were murmurings that this might well prove to be ‘one of those games’.

Ultimately, there was no need to worry.

From the moment Conor Sidwell powerfully headed Newhaven into a 37^th minute lead from a corner worked straight from the training ground, the outcome of the match was never in doubt.

By half-time, Newhaven had added two more. The game was done and dusted.

First, the ever-impressive Marcin Ruda (seriously, if you haven’t seen him play yet, then you need to get down Fort Road to watch him!) ran at the defence before unleashing a powerful shot from 25 yards which found the bottom corner.

Then Lee Robinson did what he does best, taking on his marker before calmly finishing across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

The second-half was merely a case of more of the same. 

Unlike Canterbury last week, the hosts seemed to acknowledge the game was up, and concentrated more on damage limitation rather than trying to get anything from the match. Probably a wise decision, given the fate that befell our friends from Kent!

However, defending against constant attacking for 45 minutes is hard, and the Dockers continued to consistently carve out chances throughout the entirety of the second period.

Ultimately it was two substitutes from either end of the age spectrum who added a more reflective feel to the scoreline.

With 15 minutes remaining, last seasons under 23s Golden Boot winner, Marley Ambler, got his name onto the scoresheet, finishing off a flowing move which culminated in Franzen-Jones laying the ball across the six-yard box for a chance that the striker gratefully gobbled up.

The coup-de-grace was then served in injury time, when veteran (quite literally) Ryan Walton proved you never lose it (providing you don’t have to run too much to get it), latching onto an Alfie Rogers pass and firing a trademark finish past the helpless goalkeeper. Not bad for a player who announced his retirement from playing just a few months ago!

I’d written on this blog on Saturday that while an emphatic win would be nice, a scrappy 1-0 victory would be just as welcomed. Getting the three points was the most important thing here.

Therefore, to get the win as well as a brilliant performance was very much welcomed by everyone involved with the club. It was also a timely reminder of just what Newhaven are capable of.

Put simply, when in their groove (and confident), the Dockers can look almost unstoppable going forward. A relentless machine that hammers the opposition defence into submission.

The trick, of course, is consistency. Of the five matches they’ve played this season, two have yielded really impressive performances, one has been okay, and two have been a bit, well, meh…

On Saturday, the Dockers face another lengthy away trip in the FA Cup, this time to Sheppey United; a match that should prove a good test for the boys against higher division opposition.

But it’s next Tuesday’s league match against Little Common that really sets the pulse racing. A home match (finally) on the brand-new 3G surface. If you haven’t seen the team in action yet, get yourselves down there and check out the amazing brand-new facilities.

If they play like they did last night then you won’t be disappointed!

My MOM (aka, the controversial part): Charlie Bennett. Everyone played well to be honest, but Bennett gets the nod just ahead of his midfield partner Marcin Ruda, both of whom were as industrious as ever and key in driving Newhaven’s attacking intent. A short stint at right-back highlighted Bennett’s versatility and shows just how much he will be missed when he goes travelling later this season.

At the end of the match, my son decided to interview Dockers captain Jake Buss; mainly because he felt sorry for him, the goalkeeper having been little more than a spectator for large portions of the match. This is what the skipper had to say…