Frailties on show once again for open Dockers

Crawley Down Gatwick 4 Newhaven 3, SCFL Premier Division match #2

Newhaven travelled to Crawley Down Gatwick last night hoping to put memories of Saturday’s chastening FA Cup defeat at Horsham YMCA well and truly behind them.

Like the Dockers, Crawley Down have started the season with a heavy defeat and a narrow win – albeit their defeat came in the league and their victory in the cup.

Newhaven started fairly brightly, creating a couple of early half-chances. 

The best of these fell to Lee Robinson, who shot just wide from a tight angle after being set free by his brother, Jake, from a well-worked set-piece.

However, on 8-minutes Newhaven’s defensive vulnerabilities from Saturday quickly resurfaced. A myriad of mistakes led to the Anvils getting through far too easily for the first time, and it was more by luck than judgement that the scores remained level.

Still, on the whole it was the Dockers who carried the greater attacking threat in the early exchanges. Joe Summerbell curled an effort wide from outside the area, before Callum Edwards was denied by a good save from the Crawley Down ‘keeper.

Then, more shoddy defending led to another chance for the hosts. Once again, though, we survived. Just.

In what had been an uncomfortably open start (unless you’re a neutral, that is) it was Newhaven who took the lead. 

Jack Shonk’s ball over the top set Lee Robinson away, and the Docker’s all-time leading goalscorer made no mistake, rounding the goalie before squeezing the ball into the net via the post.

Any hopes that this would settle Newhaven were swiftly dashed. Crawley Down were level within two-minutes; the unfortunate Freddie Verrall diverting a low cross into his own net.

By this point, a certain Mr Robinson (senior) had already remarked that this was a game destined to finish 4-3. He declined to say which team to.

For the rest of the half, it was Crawley Down who looked the team far more likely to score next. Newhaven still carried a threat when they were in their attacking third, but when we were out of possession… well, let’s just say we looked open.

The key absences or Ryan Blunt and Ryan Warwick were being keenly felt in the middle of the park.

Surviving to half-time still level, the Dockers then made the perfect start to the second-half.

Barely a minute after the restart, Edwards’ free-kick was met by the head of Bailie Rogers whose looping effort found the target.

Surely that would be the goal to settle our nerves.

It wouldn’t.

Once again, it didn’t take Crawley Down long to level. Six minutes, in fact. Jack Ryder probably couldn’t believe his luck as he was left completely unmarked from a corner to head home the equaliser.

By that point it could have already been level with Newhaven indebted to Lucas Paiano – in goal for the injured Jake Buss – for making a good save with his feet when the hosts seemed certain to score.

Having equalised, the Anvils swiftly took the lead just two minutes later. Jack Ryder was once again the scorer with a shot from the edge of the area that somehow trickled into the net.

It was hard to argue with the scoreline. Crawley Down were getting in far too regularly; more often than not the beneficiaries of our mistakes.

Still, though, the game wasn’t done. With the attacking players Newhaven have at their disposal, you always feel a goal is possible even when we’re not playing particularly well.

On 70 minutes, that goal arrived. Lee Robinson’s low cross from the right found Jake Robinson, and he did the rest, grabbing his first competitive goal for the Dockers in the process to restore parity.

Once again, though, having scored, Newhaven contrived to quickly concede. A long clearance completely dissected the Docker's defence, and Josh Alder managed to squeeze an effort home from the edge of the area for what turned out to be the winning goal.

By way of response, Edwards forced another save from the Crawley Down number 1, before Lee Robinson had a half-chance in injury time following good work by debutant Etienne Frimpong down the left.

That said, it was the hosts who actually created the best chance in this period and they really should have put the game to bed with five minutes remaining, only for one of their players to blaze over from close-range with the goal at his mercy.

The Anvils finished the game with 10-men, when Callum Kilkenny was sent off late on having collected a second yellow card, but there was not enough time left for the Dockers to take advantage of their extra player.

So, it’s two defeats in two for the Dockers. 

As pointed out previously, in recent seasons we have been notoriously slow starters so it’s not panic stations just yet. However, the fact we’ve shipped nine goals in two games is, obviously, rather concerning, especially when you consider that, but for some wayward finishing, it could have easily been even more.

Lessons need to be learned in the coming weeks, and quickly. I’m sure they will be.

Saturday, brings yet another meeting with Horsham YMCA, this time at Fort Road in the league. Your support could be all-important in getting the boys back on track in what is sure to be a tricky afternoon.

Then, next Tuesday (13^th August) we travel to Hailsham Town to take on Bexhill United in the league (Bexhill’s ground is out of action during August due to cricket). Again, your support would be warmly welcomed.

Come On You Dockers!

My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Nope, didn’t think anyone particularly stood out last night, I’m afraid.