Dockers dreams suffer a huge blow

Bexhill United 2 Newhaven 0, SCFL Premier Division match #25

The Dockers headed east for the second time in the space of five days yesterday, this time to take on Bexhill United.

Having played the Pirates twice already this season – once in the cup and once in the league – Newhaven knew they were in for a tough afternoon’s work, regardless of Bexhill’s mid-table league position.

Boasting a decent squad, Bexhill have suffered with consistency at times this season and should almost certainly be closer to the top of the table than they actually are. Nevertheless, coming off the back of a heavy midweek defeat against Peacehaven, on the same night Newhaven brushed aside Little Common, the Dockers will have been confident of victory ahead of the match.

The scene for the game was set in the early exchanges, with a (mostly) big Bexhill side making clear their intention from the outset. The best way to mitigate the bobbly playing surface was to keep the ball off it as much as humanly possible.

It certainly wasn’t pretty to watch at times (I’ve got a crick in my neck this morning that proves it). It seemingly didn’t seem to matter which direction the ball travelled – forward, off the pitch for a throw-in... anywhere – just so long as it was kept well away from the goal the hosts were defending. In retrospect, this turned out to be the perfect tactics for the conditions.

Conversely, Newhaven continued with their commitment to play intricate passing football. Something that on the new Fort Road surface works a treat. Not so much on grass non-league pitches in late January.

The first clear chance of the match fell to the Dockers around half-way through the opening period, as Conor Sidwell’s header was cleared off the line, before the Bexhill defence somehow scrambled the loose ball to safety.

Having not offered much as an attacking threat in the opening 25 minutes, it was actually Bexhill who carved out the next clear opening. Following great work from the number 9 on the half-way line, the number 11 was given half the pitch to gallop into for a clear sight on goal. However, the winger never looked truly comfortable with the ball at his feet, his shot lacked conviction and Jake Buss was able to make a good save.

Newhaven were trying to get their passing game going, alas to no avail. Bexhill were defending well and taking no chances at the back. Other than a few half-chances for the visitors, the game appeared to be heading to the break goalless and, in truth, rather uneventful.

Then, right on half-time, Bexhill snatched the lead. A free-kick from the halfway line sailed seemingly harmlessly into the Newhaven penalty area. However, no one in the Dockers defence took charge of the situation, all leaving the ball to one another. Bexhill’s Harvey Mapstone reacted fastest to the situation to prod the hosts into the lead. Cue massive celebrations. The Pirates fancied an upset. And it showed!

After the break, the Dockers began to find more fluency in their attacking play. Callum Connor came close to an equaliser within minutes of the restart, reaching a rare loose ball in the home penalty area, but only managing to aim his instinctive effort straight at the Bexhill keeper.

Wave after wave of Newhaven attack came Bexhill’s way. But the hosts stood firm, not giving the visitors an inch, winning practically every second ball and, let’s be honest, riding their luck at times. That said, the Dockers had their fair share of luck in the earlier meetings this season so I’m guessing Bexhill felt they deserved the rub of the green on this occasion.

As Newhaven poured forward, Bexhill threatened a couple of times to snatch a second on the break. The Dockers just about survived, though, to stay in the game.

With roughly 15 minutes to go, Newhaven finally started to turn their possession into some good chances. The best of these fell to Lukas Franzen-Jones. Lee Robinson’s initial effort was well smothered by the Bexhill number one, who then did even better to somehow turn Franzen-Jones’ follow-up around the post from point-blank range.

Within minutes, Bexhill got the killer second. A corner wasn’t dealt with, a bouncing ball fell kindly Bexhill’s way, and Mapstone made no mistake from close range for his second of the afternoon.

Although obviously deflated, the Docker’s didn’t give up and continued to attack their hosts, desperate to find a way back into the game. A number of balls flashed across the area, somehow always evading a Newhaven attacker by an inch or two. Even when the Dockers did manage to get a shot away, the crossbar came to Bexhill’s aid. It was clear this was not to be Newhaven’s day.

For the most part, though, Bexhill were able to keep the visitors at arm’s length; Newhaven on occasion being guilty of overplaying on a pitch not suited for that style of football. Something Bexhill certainly can’t be criticised for yesterday. To their advantage.

So, the Docker’s lose more ground in the title race. Was this the killer blow? Hopefully not. There is plenty more football to come and loads more points to play for. But Crawley Down and Broadbridge Heath really do need to start dropping points. And soon.

Ultimately, if the Dockers do fall short come the end of the season, this will not be the game responsible for it. The three defeats suffered on home soil (artificial turf) have been far more damaging (in my opinion). Results such as the one yesterday can happen when a team sets-up well and exploits the playing conditions to their advantage.

We go again next week with a home match against AFC Uckfield. Get yourself down to Fort Road and play your part in cheering the lads on. Get behind them and let’s get back to winning ways.

Come On You Docker!

My MOM (aka, the controversial part): Charlie Bennett. Worked tirelessly on a heavy pitch, doing everything he could to drive the Dockers forward.