Classy Dockers deliver a footballing masterclass

Newhaven 7 AFC Varndeanians 0, SCFL Premier Division match #8

Having originally been scheduled for Monday evening away at the Withdean Stadium, a change of date and venue meant that the Dockers had a rare Wednesday evening outing at Fort Road last night.

With admission prices halved for a one-night-only special, a bumper crowd of 300 or so was in attendance to see if the Dockers could extend their winning run to seven games.

One can only imagine (and hope) that after watching what transpired, the majority of the crowd will have left more than happy, intent on visiting Fort Road again in the very near future!

I said after Saturday’s battling win away at Eastbourne United that the players came off the pitch looking like they were brimming with confidence.

Last night’s performance was proof that these words were correct. 

The Dockers are on fire!

Unless you were one of the 300 or so there last night, it’s hard to put into words quite how good Newhaven were. 

This was one of those rare matches where almost everything came together. 

The one-touch lay-offs worked. The intricate passing moves constantly found their marks. Every single player matched each other for work rate.

Had the finishing been a little bit more composed, then I’d undoubtedly be sat here this morning typing about Newhaven’s second double-digit win of the season. As it is, their largest league win of the season so far – and fourth in eight games by a margin of five goals or more – isn’t to be sniffed at.

Let’s not get this wrong. AFC Varndeanians are not a bad side. This was a team who had won two, drawn two and lost two of their opening six games, and come within a minute or two of beating Eastbourne United just two weeks ago.

Without trying to sound patronising (which I know what I'm about to write could easily be perceived as being) but it was hard not to feel a degree of sympathy for last night’s visitors. The way Newhaven played they would have torn apart most teams in the league. Varndeanians just happened to be the hapless opponents who visited fortress Fort Road on the wrong night.

From the moment Lukas Franzen-Jones gave Newhaven the lead in the tenth minute, cutting inside a couple of challenges before squeezing his shot past the V’s keeper from a tight angle, there was only ever going to be one winner.

Within three minutes Franzen-Jones had grabbed his second of the night, emphatically volleying in a Marcin Ruda cross, and by the time Alfie Rogers coolly slotted home to make it three before the half-hour mark, Newhaven could have already been out of sight.

The Docker’s attacking was relentless. At times there were up to seven or eight players pouring forward at once, making it nigh-on impossible for the beleaguered Varndeanians backline to deal with them.

This was best typified by the fourth goal – arguably the goal of the night – which arrived five minutes before half-time. A flowing, fast-paced passing move culminated in centre-back Jack Meeres racing into the area before firing a shot confidently past the V’s goalie. Total football at it's best.

At times this season, the Dockers have been slightly guilty of being much better in one-half than the other. With this in mind, there was talk during the interval regarding which Newhaven side we would see in the second-half. With the game all but won, would the hosts take their foot off the gas and settle for what they had?

No, was the very definitive answer.

The work-rate remained high. The desire for more goals evident.

Regarding the work-rate, it would be remiss here for me not to mention Marcin Ruda. The man is quite simply a machine! At one-point early in the second-half, he received the ball short from a goal-kick, only to be the furthest man forward for Newhaven 15-seconds later, winning them a corner.

Ruda’s drive is obviously infectious, with his teammates, if not quite managing to match his endeavour, then certainly doing their best to emulate it. Every player was full of energy, chasing back to win the ball when out of possession, constantly looking for space when in possession. It was great to watch.

More chances came and went, but just past the hour-mark the hosts finally got the fifth goal their superiority deserved. Following another intricate passing move, a rapidly improving Tom Underwood found space in the area and passed the ball into the corner of the net.

He almost had a second soon after. Dockers’ keeper Jake Buss, seemingly determined to show he’s not bad at passing either, lofted a delightful ball over the V’s defence into the path of the onrushing Underwood. With the keeper off his line, the winger tried a first-time lob which sailed inches wide of the post.

Regardless, Demas Ramsis added a sixth a few minutes later, tapping in at the back post following a good cross from the right.

At this point, Varndeanians showed their fighting spirit and managed to fashion a couple of decent chances of their own, only to be twice denied by good saves from Buss.

Having missed a few chances to grab his hat-trick, Franzen-Jones was replaced by Lee Robinson (who I would imagine was chomping at the bit to get on) with ten minutes remaining.

Four minutes later, the sub was on the scoresheet, latching onto a Rogers lay-off before doing what he does best and finding the net from inside the 18-yard-box.

Despite another couple of chances, it was to prove to be the last goal of the night.

With previous table-toppers Broadbridge Heath not having played this midweek, the victory takes Newhaven to the top of the table for the first time this season – and with a healthy goal-difference of +23; 14 goals better than any other side in the league.

That said, you can be certain that the team won’t be getting carried away with themselves just yet. Of that you can be certain. There are still 30 league games to go and there’s sure to be a rollercoaster of ups and downs between now and May.

However, for now, Newhaven fans should just delight in the quality of football being played. 

I said during one of my pre-season blogs that it feels as though something special is happening down at Fort Road. Well, it still does. And long may it continue!

It’s a break from league action this weekend, with a home FA Vase tie against Eastbourne Town. This will be the first time Newhaven have had a home Saturday fixture this season, so hopefully another big crowd will be present to roar the lads on.

The next league match then take place on Tuesday evening (again at Fort Road) against Bexhill United, who were one of my pre-season tips to be challenging for the title. As ever, your support will be much appreciated!

Come on you Dockers!

My MOM (aka, the controversial part): It would be simply impossible (and unfair) to single out one individual. This was an all-round team performance with all the players doing their bit to put on a footballing masterclass.

Unfortunately, a midweek game during the school term means that there’s no Reuben interview this week. I’m sure he’ll be back on Saturday, though, armed to the teeth with more awkward questions.