Newhaven’s gr-eight form continues

Midhurst and Easebourne 1 Newhaven 2, SCFL Premier Division match #35

The third in a run of three lengthy away trips brought the Dockers yet another three points as their strong end to the season continues.

While, on paper, a trip to Midhurst may have looked like a likely source of three points – the hosts have nothing to play for and were on a run of four straight defeats – their ground is one that we have typically struggled at in recent years.

Sloped and bobbly, it’s far from the ideal outfield on which to witness flowing football.

Yet, in patches, Newhaven produced some decent, intricate football on Saturday, especially in the midfield areas. Had the final pass at times been a little better/quicker, then the Dockers would surely have ended up finding this game far more comfortable than they ultimately did.

The on-form Dockers signalled their intent from the outset, with Ryan Warwick’s attempt to lob the goalkeeper from long-range drifting just away from the target inside the first minute.

When Newhaven did take the lead roughly ten-minutes later, it came as no great surprise.

Midhurst’s keeper fumbled what should have been a routine catch from a corner, and Ryan Blunt reacted quickest to hook home his fifth goal of the season.

Newhaven continued to control matters for the majority of the half, albeit without ever really creating anything too clear-cut in spite of some neat build-up play.

The hosts enjoyed a couple of half-chances, but nothing that at any stage had Jonny Barnes-Galloway too concerned.

Midhurst were handed the chance of an equaliser ten minutes before the break, though, when Charlie Connell was adjudged to have barged into a Stags player in the penalty area. Let’s just mark it as ‘soft’ and move on.

Actually, before I do move on, one question I do have is why do ref’s bother to talk to their assistants if they’re not going to listen to what they have to say? This is a genuine question. It seems to me that if your mind is made up no matter what anyone else says, don’t bother to talk to them. It's a waste of time. Surely it just creates more problems for you, right?

Anyway, from the spot Lewis Hamilton (no, not that one) made no mistake, finding the top corner, despite Ian Robinson’s alleged (ahem) attempt to scuff up the penalty spot. An action which may have angered the Midhurst groundsman somewhat.  

On the stroke of half-time, Newhaven felt they should have been awarded a penalty when a ball struck a Midhurst hand in the area. However, the ref deemed the contact accidental and only a corner was awarded. It probably would have been harsh. Although, you know...

The pattern of the second-half didn’t alter that much from the first. The Dockers were seeing plenty of the ball without ever managing to create too many decent opportunities.

Probably the best fell to Alfie Rogers on the hour-mark, when Lee Robinson cut the ball back for him, only for Alfie to fail to make the contact he would have desired.

Minutes later, Warwick felt he should have been awarded a free-kick/penalty, when he raced through on goal following a slip from a Midhurst defender, who then proceeded to tug him back before managing to slow the midfielder’s run enough to be able to get back and make a last-ditch blocked tackle.

Soon after, Midhurst missed their best chance from open play all afternoon. A low ball into the box found its intended target, but their striker could only prod the ball straight at Barnes-Galloway from six yards.

The Stags had a couple of well-struck volleyed efforts that were off target, but with time marching on if anyone was going to score, it was looking more likely to be Newhaven.

A Blunt shot from the edge of the area stung the Midhurst’s keeper’s hands with nine minutes remaining, before, with five minutes left, the Dockers were awarded a penalty of their own.

Once again there was a hint of controversy about the decision. While Blunt was certainly fouled, there was a question of whether the offence was inside or outside the area.

Inside the area was the call from both the ref and his assistant (I assume, who knows?) and after some more penalty spot scuffing shenanigans (them this time, obviously, not us), Lee Robinson kept his cool to score his 490^th senior goal for Newhaven.

Not only did this prove to be the winning goal, it was also an action that caused his young son to burst into a fit of happy tears on the sideline, sparking yet more tears amongst some of our other more emotional supporters. Not me, I hasten to add. I’m emotionally dead inside.

As the time ran down, the Dockers handed yet more minutes to some Under 23s who continue to gain valuable experience as we build for the next campaign.

So it’s eight wins in eight for the Dockers. A run that has taken them from ninth in the table to, erm, ninth in the table. Still, that is the lowest guaranteed position we can finish now, and with Roffey and Peacehaven (both of whom we still have to play) just a point ahead of us, we could climb higher come the end of the season.

It’s Roffey up next, as they visit Fort Road on Saturday, before we then make the short trip to Peacehaven two days later for the Easter Monday encounter.

Our season then concludes on 26^th April with a home match against champions Hassocks, who have shown no let-up since storming their way to the tile.

Nine more points would be some way to finish the season. Your support in making this dream a reality could be all important.

Come On You Dockers!

My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Ryan Blunt. I was torn between the two centre-backs – Richmond Osei and Henry Watson – and the two central midfielders – Blunt and Charlie Connell – for this award, all of whom were outstanding on a tricky surface. Ultimately, Blunt nicks it, for his match-winning contribution of a goal and winning the late penalty.