Rogers delivers knock-out blow on Boxing Day

 Newhaven 3 Peacehaven and Telscombe 2, SCFL Premier Division Match #20

Of all the many Christmas traditions, Boxing Day football has always been one of my absolute favourites.

A few years ago, before I once again fell in love with non-league football, this would have meant a day spent on the sofa, eating and drinking too much, whilst watching countless matches on the TV.

Nowadays, though, that tradition (weather permitting) means getting up early and heading to either Fort Road or Piddinghoe Avenue to watch the local derby between Newhaven and Peacehaven.

With an 11am kick-off, it’s the perfect way to start a day before settling down on a sofa to eat, drink and watch even more football!

And it would seem that I’m far from the only one who enjoys this tradition. 

I can’t speak for the players (many of whom will have to curtail their own Christmas Day alcohol intake.. probably), but supporters certainly seem to love the early Boxing Day kick-off times.

Close to 750 people turned up to Fort Road yesterday to watch the Haven Derby – the fourth biggest attendance in the UK at Step 5 on Boxing Day. Brilliant stuff!

Aside from the close geographic proximity of the two teams, their equally close proximity in the league table made certain that this would be an intriguing tussle.

Peacehaven arrived at Fort Road on the back of five consecutive league wins; a run that had propelled them to within touching distance of the Dockers. Had they won yesterday, they would have been a solitary point behind their hosts with a game in hand. Even more impressively, they hadn’t lost a game in any competition since the 8^th October.

Conversely, Newhaven went into the match having conceded 11 goals and without a win in their previous three games (albeit five of those goals were shipped to a team two divisions higher).

Yet in the early stages there was little to suggest that one team went into the match more confident than the other. In fact, the opening 15 minutes were fairly non-descript, with a Demas Ramsis effort which flew high over the visitor’s crossbar the only shot on goal from either team.

With both sides struggling to get a foot-hold in the game, Newhaven decided to give Peacehaven a helping hand by gifting the visitors the game's first goal. Well, it is Christmas after all!

From a Docker’s free-kick, Jack Meeres’ back-pass landed smack in the middle of Henry Watson and Jake Buss, both of whom left the ball for one another. Cal Edwards took full advantage of the situation, latching onto the loose ball, rounding Buss and, despite taking an age to get his shot away, finally squeezing the ball past centre-back Watson on the line.

Bearing in mind Peacehaven’s form and Newhaven’s wobble in recent weeks, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the visitors would look to seize control of the game from this point and try to put their hosts to the sword.

Strangely, they didn’t. They sat back and allowed Newhaven to start to dominate the ball in midfield with the trio of Charlie Bennett, Marcin Ruda and, in particular, the excellent Ryan Blunt beginning to dictate the play.

For all their possession, though, Newhaven were struggling to create any clear opportunities as Peacehaven's defence held firm.

When the equaliser did arrive in the 26^th minute, it was little surprise that it came from a set-piece (again a Newhaven one). Alfie Rogers’ delightfully floated free-kick was met by the head of Meeres, who perfectly atoned for his part in the opening goal by beating Nathan Stroomberg to bring the hosts level and get Fort Road rocking.

Newhaven were now firmly on top, seeing plenty of the ball albeit without breaching Peacehaven’s backline too often. 

A driving run from Ian Robinson just after the half-hour mark culminated with a shot that brought the first save of the match from either keeper, while at the other end the visitors forced a few corners, none of which particularly trouble the home defence.

Five minutes before half-time, Newhaven took the lead that their overall play had deserved.

Peacehaven keeper Stroomberg, playing more like a sweeper than a goalie at times, was beaten to the ball well outside his area after some brilliant persistence from Ramsis. 

Despite Stroomberg seeming to clearly handle the ball as Ramsis attempted to knock it past him, it fell invitingly to A. Rogers, and the Newhaven number 10, somehow, managed to find the net from range. The ball seemed to hang in the air for an age, and at one point appeared to be heading closer to the corner flag than the goal, before curling exquisitely and eventually landing in the gaping goal, sparking joyous scenes of celebration amongst the Newhaven players and fans.

The goal arguably spared Stroomberg a red card for his earlier handball (although with SCFL refs you’re never quite sure what they see and what they’re going to do, so who knows?).

The second-half was similar to the first. The possession and territorial advantage belonged to Newhaven for most part, while chances remained at a premium.

That said, the Dockers did go close to extending their lead when a brilliant piece of trickery in the area by Ruda was followed by a low shot that was superbly turned around the post by Stroomberg.

The visitors were struggling to create anything from open play, with Watson acting like an impenetrable rock at the back for the Dockers, confidently dealing with everything Peacehaven could throw at him.

Yet, with just over 15 minutes left, and with Newhaven looking increasingly comfortable, Peacehaven equalised. Typical! A corner from the right wasn’t dealt with and, after a spot of penalty area pin-ball, Robin Deen smashed the ball home from close range. Game very much back on!

The equaliser momentarily changed the flow of the game. For the first time in the match, Newhaven looked nervous and vulnerable. The visitors had their first real spell of concerted pressure, working themselves into some dangerous positions without ever managing to force Buss into a save.

The Dockers quickly regained their composure, though, and with the clock having just reached the 80-minute-mark, A. Rogers delivered the game’s knock-out blow.

John Lucero’s long-throw is a weapon that Newhaven don’t tend to deploy too often, but they utilised it here to perfect effect.

Just as Newhaven’s defence had failed to do so a few minutes earlier, Peacehaven were unable to clear a bouncing ball and Rogers somehow managed to swivel, stretch a leg out and hook the ball into the net from close range, showing a real poacher’s instinct, which sent just over half of Fort Road’s bumper crowd wild.

The last ten minutes were as nail-biting as I’ve experienced at any Dockers match this season, The visitors forced Newhaven further and further back, penning the hosts in their own half for much of the time that remained.

However, Newhaven held firm, denying Peacehaven any clear shots at goal. An injury-time corner saw Stroomberg join the attack, but a quite magnificent defensive header from Watson cleared the danger and the whistle blew a few seconds later to give the Dockers a much-needed (and also much-deserved three-points).

It was a fantastic morning of football (one obviously made better by the result). It was amazing to see Fort Road so busy (something the players clearly respond to) and also to report that there was no trouble either on or off the pitch, with the match played in competitive but good spirits and both sets of supporters engaging in playful banter without ever overstepping the line.

Newhaven are back in action next Monday morning, with an away trip to Saltdean. It would be great to see as many of you at Hill Park as possible for the first game of 2023.

The first home match of the New Year takes place on 7^th January and believe me when I say that it’s a biggie! League leaders Crawley Down are the visitors that day and the boys will need all your support to claim what would be an absolutely massive three-points!

Oh, and in case you didn’t know, Haven is Red!!!

Come On You Dockers!

My MOM (aka, the controversial part): Alfie Rogers. In fairness, this award could just as easily have gone to either Ryan Blunt (have we checked his Birth Certificate to check that he’s really only 18?) or Henry Watson, who were both simply outstanding, but it was Alfie who produced the game's key moments with two goals and as assist, so he gets the nod.

After the match, Reuben caught up with Henry Watson to ask for his thoughts about the game (and his central defensive partners!).