No fairytale ending – but still plenty to be proud about

Newhaven 4 Loxwood 2, SCFL Premier Division match #38

And so another league season reaches its conclusion.

Unfortunately, the campaign didn’t have the fairytale ending that us Newhaven fans were hoping for.

There were to be no slip-ups from Broadbridge Heath or Crawley Down Gatwick in the final week of the season, with the former being proclaimed league champions and the latter taking the runners-up spot, thereby earning a promotion play-off match. Meaning we had to contend with a second successive third-place finish.

Our congratulations go out to both of those two teams at the end of what has been a long, gruelling season. Also, best of luck to Crawley Down in the play-off!

In truth, a lot of the drama was taken out of yesterday afternoon’s fixture even before the game against Loxwood had kicked off.

With Crawley Down’s match against Roffey being, slightly bafflingly, allowed to kick-off an hour before everyone elses, the knowledge that they were 3-1 up at half-time in a game where only a loss for them would have been good enough for Newhaven, effectively rendered the Docker’s own game as being something of a dead rubber.

Especially given the fact that visiting Loxwood had already assured safety from relegation following an impressive end to their season – a run of three wins and a draw taking the Magpies well clear of trouble at the foot of the table.

Still, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, in front of another healthy Fort Road crowd – Newhaven ended the season with the best average attendance figure in the league; almost 100 people up on last season’s number – there was little doubt that both teams would have wanted to finish the season on a high.

With a cup final still to come next week, the Dockers undoubtedly wanted to go into that match on the back of a morale-boosting victory. With hopefully a decent performance to match.

And when they took the lead after just seven-minutes, through a deflected Billy Barker effort, it seemed that everything was going to plan.

Loxwood, though, had other ideas. Within ten minutes they had turned the game completely on its head, capitalising on two very sloppy pieces of play in the Docker’s defence to lead 2-1. Elliot Bresciani and Luca Page grabbing the goals for the Magpies. 

This wasn’t in the script!

For the next 15 minutes or so, the Dockers appeared to be on the ropes. Their defence looking more than a little shaky. Loxwood were looking a threat every time they went forward, and it wouldn’t have come as a huge surprise if they’d extended their lead in this period.

With the game nearing half-time, though, the Dockers finally started to get a foot-hold in the game and began to exert an increasing amount of pressure on their visitors. 

Lukas Franzen-Jones twice hit the frame of the goal in this period while the Loxwood goalkeeper made a number of good saves to preserve his side’s lead.

Loxwood reached the interval still in front, a lead they had deserved for their display in opening half-an-hour. However, it was clear that Newhaven had finished the half building up a head of steam and it always seemed likely that the hosts would score again at some point.

That said, few people at Fort Road would have expected the Dockers to be in front within three minutes of the restart.

First, goalscoring centre-back sensation Henry Watson ensured he reached double figures for the season (again) by tapping in a Franzen-Jones corner at the back post.

Then, less than 60 seconds later, Ian Robinson, for the umpteenth time in the match, got beyond his full-back, before crossing low for Franzen-Jones to fire Newhaven into the lead.

What followed was a procession as Newhaven assumed full control of the match, creating chances at will – and missing them with an equally alarming regularity.

Had it not been for two players in particular – no names mentioned here; I’m in a good mood this morning – seemingly indulging in a who can miss the most chances competition – then Newhaven could have significantly added to the ludicrously huge total of 119 league goals they ended the season with. The highest amount of goals that any team at step five in the UK has scored this season!

As it was, the Dockers had to wait until the last 15 minutes to put the game out of their rapidly tiring visitors reach – Loxwood had played on Thursday evening and their exertions were starting to show. It was substitute Callum Connor who added the fourth, showing a striker’s instinct to turn home Franzen-Jones’ low cross.

Still chances came. Still chances went.

In injury time, the Dockers were offered a golden opportunity to claim a fifth when Demas Ramsis was clumsily brought down in the area. Franzen-Jones stepped up to take the spot kick, only to see his tame effort comfortably saved by the Loxwood keeper.

Overall this season, Newhaven’s record from the penalty spot has been much improved on last years. In fact, I can only recall two misses. Both against Loxwood.

Ultimately, golden-boot race aside, this miss had very little impact on the game itself and when the ref blew for full-time a couple of minutes later, Newhaven had brought the curtain down on their league campaign with three points and four goals. It’s hard to complain really!

Of course, as mentioned earlier, the result wasn’t enough to see Newhaven sneak into a play-off place. 

There’s no denying that promotion was the aim for everyone involved at the club at the start of the season. That hasn’t quite happened.

But this is still a team that the community should – and indeed are – proud of. As is the way with football, there have been highs and lows throughout the season. Moments of brilliance. Moments of frustration. One week we’ve left a game feeling the season is over; the next convinced we’re back in with a shout. Football. You’ve got to love it. Mostly.

If there is one thing that I’m certain of, though, it’s that with everything that is going on at the club – both on and off the pitch – this is a club that is going places. They will get to where they want to be sooner rather than later. Of that I am sure!

While the league campaign may have now finished, the season hasn’t ended yet. There’s still the small matter of a cup final to come, Bank Holiday Monday at Hassocks (13:00 kick-off). Crowborough Athletic will be the opponents. A decent side who we will need to be at our very best to overcome.

But with this team, and with your continued support, there’s every chance we can still finish this season on a high!

Your support is much appreciated!

Come On You Dockers!

My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Ian Robinson. Looked a danger throughout, with his pace causing the Loxwood defence real problems. Another overall good team performance, though, especially in the second-half.