Deja-vu as Dockers again fail to hold onto lead

Midhurst and Easebourne 1 Newhaven FC 1, SCFL Premier Division match #2

Newhaven made the long trip west to Midhurst this afternoon, hopeful of bagging their first league win of the fledgling season.

Having picked up their first win of the campaign last weekend, courtesy of a 3-1 win over Little Common in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup (sorry, I was on holiday, hence no report on that game), the Dockers were quietly confident of extending their unbeaten start to the season.

However, Midhurst's Rotherfield ground is never the easiest place to go. With a sloping pitch and a physical approach, it was Midhurst’s home form that was largely responsible for helping them keep comfortably clear of the relegation battle last term.

In fact, the Dockers twice had to come from behind last season in order to secure an, at the time, vital three-points. Simply put, this was never going to be an easy game.

That much became abundantly clear early on, with Midhurst’s direct style causing Newhaven more than a few problems.

After Ian Robinson had an early sighter comfortably saved by the home goalkeeper, the hosts almost took the lead after ten minutes, only for a goal-bound effort to be blocked over the bar by Robbie Keith.

There was a contrast of styles on show, with Newhaven’s measured passing approach coming up against a physical side whose aim was clearly to get the ball forward quickly and try and turn the Docker’s backline as often as possible.

For a while, the two contrasting styles appeared to cancel each other out. Clear chances were at a premium; both sides being restricted to mainly long-range efforts.

The main talking point of the first-half, was the fact that the Midhurst right-back somehow managed to avoid a second yellow card for a second cynical foul on Ian Robinson. 

It was a stonewall yellow. The type that, had the player in question not already received a booking, would have definitely led to a yellow being brandished in his direction.

As it was, the ref seemed to take pity on the home defender and let him off with a warning. A baffling decision. It was no surprise when the player in question was hauled off at half-time. The hosts knew that they’d got away with one and with Robinson looking to torment the full-back at every opportunity, he was clearly a red-card waiting to happen.

In the latter stages of the first-half, Newhaven began to exert a measure of control in the match for the first time. Alfie Rogers and Callum Edwards both tested the Midhurst keeper with long range efforts, but clear-cut chances remained sparse.

In fact, it was Midhurst who went closest to snatching a half-time lead. Another long ball into the box caused havoc, and this time it was Keith’s defensive partner Tarun Rohilla who managed to deflect a goal-bound effort off target.

Newhaven emerged from the second-half clearly intent on upping the tempo and taking the game to their hosts.

Within a minute of the restart, the Dockers should have been ahead. The Stags failed to fully clear a cross, the ball arrived at the far post to the unmarked Alfie Rogers, but last season’s top scorer could only shoot straight at the goalie with the goal at his mercy.

Newhaven continued to probe, but with Midhurst having weathered the early wave of second-half pressure, the game quickly settled into the scrappy pattern of the first-half.

The flow of the game wasn’t helped by the referee’s decision to stop the game every time a player went down, for whatever reason. A decision that was to later be used as a tactical manoeuvre by the hosts whenever Newhaven looked to attack, only for the game to be halted by a prone player.

Five times this happened by my count – twice for Newhaven players in the first-half, three for Midhurst in the second.  Not once was a physio – from either side – needed. Let the game flow!

With the game entering the last twenty minutes, Newhaven took the lead that they had probably just about merited on their second-half showing.

Alfie Rogers’ inch perfect through ball found the recently arrived substitute Callum Connor in the area, and the striker showed his prowess in front of goal, shooting on the turn and finishing with aplomb into the far corner.

However, as had been the case in their first league match against Horsham YMCA a couple of weeks earlier, having taken a narrow lead, the Dockers were unable to hold onto it.

Midhurst were level within four minutes.

In fairness, Siph Mdlalose’s equaliser was a brilliant long-range strike that gave Jake Buss no chance. However, Newhaven may be disappointed by the amount of time the winger was afforded to get his shot away, and by how easy it had been for the hosts to transfer the ball up the pitch.

The equaliser galvanised Midhurst, whilst somewhat deflating the Dockers. For the next ten minutes, it was the hosts who looked the most likely side to snatch a winner. Had it not been for a glaring miss on the 85^th minute, they may well have done.

Having survived this scare, Newhaven finished strongly. The introduction of young debutant Ezra Roeg, on loan from Worthing, helped to add some late spark to the Docker’s attack.

With the game entering injury-time, Newhaven thought they’d nabbed a winner. Edwards’ curling corner was met by the head of Bailie Rogers, who looked certain to have scored, only for a Midhurst defender to clear the ball off the line.

So, another battling point on the road for the Dockers. At full-time, it was easy to see which team was, understandably, happier with the draw. 

The disappointment of losing another lead was clear to see on the faces of all Newhaven’s players. And the management team.

However, to look on the bright side, it’s three games unbeaten to start the season; we’d already lost twice this time last season.

And with our first home league game of the season coming up on Tuesday night, a win would surely give the Dockers the confidence to get on a roll. That said, with last season’s runners-up, Crawley Down Gatwick, the visitors, three-points are far from a foregone conclusion.

We’ll need all of you to get down to Fort Road for what is sure to be a close game. Your support really could be the difference between a win or not.

As it could be next Saturday when we entertain Combined Counties Premier League side Spelthorne in the FA Cup Preliminary Round, looking to reach the First Qualifying Round for the first time in a few seasons.

We hope to see you at both games.

Come On You Dockers!

My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Robbie Keith. Although, still coming back to full fitness, the centre back was a vital cog in keeping Midhurst’s direct style at bay. Quick note, this award is different to the one that some of you will have seen as a vote on Twitter. That’s just your chance to have your say and prove my pick wrong; which I’m sure will happen plenty over the season!

After the match, Reuben caught up with Robbie to ask him about the game and find out what it’s like to be back playing…