Dockers navigate first step on long road to Wembley

 Rusthall 0 Newhaven 2, FA Vase Second Qualifying Round

An FA Vase game may not carry the glamour and prestige of an FA Cup match, but for Step 5 and 6 clubs up and down the UK, it’s a competition that offers non-league teams a realistic chance of a day out at Wembley.

Fellow Sussex club Littlehampton proved it could be done two seasons ago when they reached the final, while local rivals Peacehaven were two matches away from a trip to the Twin Towers last season.

However, it’s a competition that for, whatever reason, Newhaven haven’t had a lot of success in, in recent seasons. They haven't reached the First Round Proper for three years.

This afternoon, we arrived in Rusthall, Kent, hopeful that this could be the year we can finally enjoy something of an extended run in the competition.

With Rusthall currently sitting in lower mid-table in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, having accrued eight points from eight matches, it was certainly a winnable tie on paper.

Newhaven started the game confidently, as you would expect from a team on a run of three consecutive victories.

By the time the Dockers took the lead in the ninth minute, they could have already conceivably scored twice. Both through new centre-back Josh Tuck, who looks to be a real aerial threat from set-pieces.

In fact, Tuck was unfortunate not to be the man who opened the scoring. His strong header appeared to be destined for the back of the net only to be inadvertently blocked on the line by Lee Robinson.

Tuck’s misfortune turned out to be fortunate for makeshift left-back Rob Malila, who prodded home the rebound from close-range, giving Robinson one of the luckiest assists you’ll ever see.

Having hit the front early on, as they had at Saltdean in midweek, Newhaven continued to dominate the early stages, barley giving their opponents a sniff. Only the Rusthall number 7, who looked a real bag of tricks, seemed to be causing the Newhaven backline any real problems.

With the Dockers in total command, it was no real surprise when they doubled their lead just after the half-an-hour mark. 

Great work by Callum Edwards on the right wing culminated in a cross that picked out Lee Robinson in the six-yard box and the striker supreme headed in his third goal in his fourth match since returning from injury. His second header.

By half-time, Newhaven were in total control. In fact, I’d go so far to say as this was one of their most complete 45-minutes of any match so far this season. They’d controlled the game, scored twice and not really looked like conceding.

Of course, in true Dockers fashion, the second-half wasn’t to be so comfortable. Not that it was particularly uncomfortable. It’s not like they faced a barrage of chances after the break. But Rusthall were definitely livelier and certainly kept Newhaven on their toes.

Strangely, the turning point seemed to come ten minutes after the restart, when the hosts were temporarily reduced to ten-men after their striker was sin-binned.

Rather than Newhaven see the game off in this period, the hosts actually enjoyed their best spell of the match, forcing Jake Buss into his first proper save of the afternoon.

From this point on, Newhaven never quite managed to wrestle back the control they’d enjoyed in the first-half. An increasingly direct Rusthall side kept them pegged back for long periods, peppering the Newhaven box with crosses, most of which were well dealt with by Tuck and defensive partner Robbie Keith – both of whom enjoyed excellent afternoons.

Yet, despite the pressure the Kent side were putting us under, the hosts didn’t really create too many clear-cut opportunities.

In fact, with 15 minutes left, Edwards went the closest of any player on the pitch to grabbing the next goal when he fired just over from outside the penalty area.

Two-minutes later, Rusthall missed their best chance of the match when a low ball in from the left was somehow stabbed wide at the far post. It was real let off. A goal here would have made for a horribly uncomfortable last ten or so minutes.

Still the hosts pushed forward, but the Newhaven rearguard stood strong, getting their bodies in the way of anything that was thrown in their direction and managing the game in a way they haven’t always been too proficient at doing so in recent seasons.

That’s four wins in a row now for the Dockers and, just as importantly, two consecutive clean sheets.

It also means that for the first time in three years, Newhaven can look forward to the draw for the FA Vase First Round Proper. The draw is made Monday lunchtime. Stay tuned to our social media channels to discover who we get.

It’s still a (very) long road to Wembley. But at least it’s a step in the right direction.

There’s more cup action on Tuesday night, as an Eastbourne Town team who are currently flying visit Fort Road in the Peter Bentley Cup. Having won it last season, it’s a competition that we’ll once again want to progress in. All the ingredients are there for a classic. Make sure you don’t miss it!

Next Saturday, we get back to league action when we visit AFC Uckfield in what’s sure to be another entertaining afternoon.

As ever, your support would be appreciated!

Come On You Dockers!

My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Josh Tuck. Hugely impressive performance from the new signing who is not scared to put his body on the line in order to preserve a clean sheet. Looks to be a proper defender based on this performance.

After the match, Reuben caught up with full-back Rob Malila who is enjoying something of a purple patch in front of goal during the early stages of this season.