A point apiece means it’s advantage Steyning

Crowborough Athletic 1 Newhaven 1, SCFL Premier Division match #36

It was never going to be easy. Winning four consecutive games at the end of a gruelling season is challenge enough.

Doing it when your remaining four games are against fellow title and play-off contenders, and with a squad stripped to the bare bones by varying high-profile absences, and the challenge becomes increasingly more difficult.

Yesterday’s trip to Crowborough was a must-win game for both sides in order for either one to keep the title within their own destiny.

There was plenty on the line and, for the most part, the match played out in the manner that many would have expected. Nervy with clear chances at a premium.

The Crows settled quicker, looking to turn Newhaven’s makeshift back three at every available opportunity. However, despite a barrage of balls being pumped into the box, Jake Buss’ goal remained largely threat free.

It was the Dockers who actually created the first notable opening of the game in the 18^th minute. Lee Robinson did really well to hold the ball up and play-in Rob Malila, who twice forced the Crows’ keeper into good saves to keep the scores level.

Crowborough also had their moments, though, and just before the half-hour, Newhaven just about managed to survive an onslaught of pressure, putting their bodies on the line to maintain parity.

With half-time approaching, the lively Callum Edwards teed up John Lucero on the edge of the area, but the right wing back could only fire wastefully over from a promising position.

Crowborough then almost got through one-on-one only for Vowles’ control to let him down at the crucial moment.

Moments later came the main talking point of the half when Crowborough’s Sinclair was booked for a two-footed challenge on Blunt that on another day could have easily yielded a red card. The fact that he did take the ball before catching the Newhaven midfielder clumsily on his follow through probably saved the Crowborough player.

Regardless, it would be hard to argue that either side had done enough to deserve to be in-front at the interval, with both sides basically cancelling one another out.

The second-half was a far more open affair as both teams looked for the goals that would keep the title within their own grasp.

 Newhaven created the first chance a couple of minutes after the restart when Robinson got the wrong side of his man, but could only shoot over from a tight area.

Crowborough then started to take control and force Newhaven onto the back foot. They got their reward for a period of sustained pressure when, in the 54^th minute, Newhaven failed to fully clear their lines from a corner, allowing a cross from the right that was headed home at the far post by Will Puffette

Advantage Crowborough.

The Dockers almost hit back immediately, but Bailie Rogers could only head Edwards’ pin-point free-kick over.

With the Dockers now having to gamble in order to get themselves back in the game, Crowborough were happy to exploit the spaces being left and play on the break.

On the hour-mark, the Crows could – and probably should – have doubled their lead when Vowels broke free, only to shoot wide from a good position.

Five minutes later, Newhaven were level. Good build-up play involving Blunt, Robinson, and Rob Malila culminated with Edwards standing up a cross that was brilliantly headed home by Robinson.

Advantage Steyning.

With the game once again very much back in the balance, the nervousness of the first-half returned with both sides wasting possession in decent positions when a better decision may have led to a clear chance.

The Dockers best opening in the last 20 minutes probably came from an Alfie Rogers free-kick in a dangerous area. Unfortunately, with the Newhaven faithful hoping that their talisman could once again produce some magic, Rogers shot comfortably cleared the crossbar.

As the game moved into injury time it was the Crows who were looking the team more likely to snatch a winner. Frustration had evidently worked its way into the Newhaven dugout, as 50-50 decisions seemed to go Crowborough’s way time and time again. This was to lead to three Newhaven coaches being booked, and co-manager Sean Breach eventually being given his marching orders, I’m presuming for having accumulated two of those bookings.

Crowborough then missed two glorious opportunities to snatch it at the death. First from a snapshot from the edge of the area that went inches wide, then from a header on the edge of the area that was well off target.

Ultimately, a point was not what either side wanted. Steyning now know that if they win their final two games (one of which is against us next Saturday) the title is theirs.

Should we win our final three games, then we can still draw level on points with Steyning (assuming they don’t lose to Uckfield in their final game – which frankly no one in Sussex can see happening), but their goal difference is comfortably superior to ours (and everybody else’s).

If Steyning do drop points to us, then Crowborough can still win it if they win their remaining four games.

With our hopes of promotion now realistically looking likely to rest on going up via the play-offs (our participation in which is not yet a foregone conclusion either by the way; this has been one crazy season!), attention turns to Tuesday night’s trip to Haywards Heath. The team currently desperately trying to force their way into the top five. 

A victory there would cement our place in the play-offs and keep our slim title hopes alive, setting us up perfectly for next week’s visit of Steyning – our final home game of the regular season.

Let’s hope that, regardless of what happens between now and then, we can get another huge crowd down to Fort Road, get behind the boys and thank them for what has already been a memorable season – and one that could be far from finished yet!

Come On You Dockers!

My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Callum Edwards. At the heart of most of Newhaven’s best moments yesterday, Cal worked his socks off from start to finish and his trickery proved a constant threat to the Crows’ defence.