A point gained or two dropped? I’ve no idea!

Newhaven 1 Eastbourne Town 1, SCFL Premier Division match #16

With no Premier League or Championship matches due to take place for the next few weeks because of the upcoming World Cup (something I still can’t quite get my head around), has there ever been a better time for non-league football to enjoy the Saturday afternoon limelight?

Probably not is the answer to that somewhat rhetorical question.

With that in mind, we’ve been keeping our fingers loosely crossed that all our home games over the next few weeks might draw slightly larger crowds that usual. 

And, with more than 300 turning up for this afternoon’s league encounter with Eastbourne Town, it would seem that this hope is well-founded. Hopefully a similar number can be replicated at next week's encounter against Midhurst and Easebourne.

In fairness, Eastbourne Town are well known for having a loyal following, enjoying one of the best supports in the division. Even when, as like this season, results have not necessarily been all they would have been hoping for.

That said, despite Town’s rather mixed start to the season – five wins, five draws and four defeats ahead of today’s game – the Dockers knew they would be in for a tough afternoon.

Town’s 3-2 FA Vase win at Fort Road earlier in the season proved just what the visitors are capable of on their day. They also boast one of the best defensive records in the league; the top four being the only teams to have conceded fewer than them.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was the Dockers who started the game on the front foot. 

Within the opening two minutes Lee Robinson was sent scampering away down the right, only for his rising effort to be saved by Eastbourne keeper Chris Winterton. Just like in the first game between these two teams earlier this season, Winterton was to enjoy another fine afternoon, making countless saves and being steady with his handling throughout.

With Newhaven continuing to come forward and Town looking to hit sporadically on the counter, it seemed only a matter of time before the Docker’s dominance would pay off.

On 20 minutes, Robinson thought he’d given the hosts the lead, latching onto a brilliant Alfie Rogers pass only for his effort to bounce unluckily off the inside of the post.

Town had barely been an attacking threat when, on the half-hour, they took the lead. Former Newhaven man James Waters danced unchallenged past a number of his former teammates before squeezing a finish past the unsighted Jake Buss.

It was a very well taken goal but, being a former Docker, you would have liked to think that at least one of the home defenders might have tried to show Waters onto his weaker right foot instead of letting him shoot with his favoured left-foot.

Never mind, there was still plenty of time to right that particular error.

With the game heading towards half-time, Newhaven struck the post for a second time, when John Lucero’s effort beat Winterton only to strike the base of the upright.

From the ensuing attack, Town almost created a chance to double their advantage only for Oliver Davies to take a heavy touch when through on goal, allowing Buss to pluck the ball from off his toe.

After the interval, the pattern of the game stayed much the same. Newhaven constantly attacking, Eastbourne defending deep and looking to hit on the counter.

The Dockers continued to create half chances at fairly regular intervals. Jack Meeres should have equalised within minutes of the restart, only to somehow blaze over (both the goal and the Court Farm Road fence) from close range.

Robinson was then again denied by Winterton while Rogers lashed inches over from just outside the area,

Just after the hour mark came what could prove to be a seminal moment in Newhaven’s season. The return of Ian Robinson. 

Having been out with injury since April, the return of the influential ‘little Robbo’ could add a real spark to Newhaven’s overall play. Judging by this afternoon’s cameo, the winger/full-back seems to have lost little of his speed and sharpness during his long months of absence. Positive signs indeed!

With Eastbourne continuing to sit deep, though, Newhaven were continually thwarted in their search of an equaliser. Mainly, it has to be said, due to Winterton.

Becoming increasingly frustrated by Town’s attempts to slow down play, it seemed like this may just prove to be one of 'those afternoons' for the Dockers. 

It still baffles me how ref’s – at all levels; think Aston Villa in the Brighton game last week – don’t clamp down on obvious time-wasting.

To be clear, I don’t blame any team for employing such a tactic. I get it, I really do.

Let's be honest, we all want to see our teams do the same when we’re clinging onto a narrow lead. In my view, it’s totally up to the refs to clamp down on this practice. However, for whatever reason, they always seem reluctant to do so. Surely, a booking for the first person to time-waste – no matter what the minute – would soon put a halt to such proceedings.

Until that happens, it makes total sense for a team to continue doing what they’re doing. While you’re getting away with it, why not?

With 15 minutes remaining, Newhaven were handed another boost with the return of Charlie Bennett from a few months out travelling. Having the undoubted quality of Bennett and Little Robbo both back in and around the squad can only be good news for the team as the season reaches its halfway point.

With just two minutes of normal time remaining, Newhaven finally got the equaliser they deserved. Henry Watson getting the final touch after a bit of penalty-area pinball.

Suddenly, Fort Road was electric. The crown expectant that a winner would surely follow. Especially given the fairly lengthy injury time that should be – and, in fairness, was – added.

This expectancy only grew even more once Eastbourne’s right back was promptly sent off for a second bookable offence – much to the delight of the home crowd who had been left highly unimpressed by some unnecessary theatrics from the Town number two just a couple of minutes earlier.

Town held firm, though. Newhaven’s best chance of a winner coming from a Don Street free-kick that was well held by the faultless Winterton.

Come full-time, it was hard to judge whether this was a point gained or two dropped.

On one hand, going solely by the balance of play and the number of chances created, Newhaven should have run out comfortable winners. Other than Waters’ goal, I can’t actually remember Buss having anything else to do.

On the other hand, a late equaliser is always welcome – especially against such a well-drilled defensive team. In truth, the significance of the final-score probably won’t be known until the end of the season.

As mentioned earlier, the Dockers are back at home next weekend playing host to Midhurst. Another bumper crowd would be great!

They then travel to Whitehawk on Wednesday 30^th November for the rearranged Sussex Senior Cup match that was postponed on Tuesday evening. This will be a real test for the boys and a chance for them to see how they compare against quality higher-division opponents. Get along if you can!

Come On You Dockers!

My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Henry Watson. Playing in CDM, Watson was instrumental in breaking up play and acting as a pivot point for Newhaven’s many attacks. As ever, he barely lost anything in the air, and was in the right place at the right time to rescue what could prove to be a crucial point for the Dockers.

After the match, Reuben was delighted to finally get the chance to interview Ian Robinson – his favourite player (apologies to the rest of the guys). Here’s what Little Robbo had to say about his return from injury and his World Cup predictions…