Off-key Dockers crash out of the Vase

Newhaven 1 Faversham Strike Force 3, FA Vase Second Qualifying Round, Saturday 20^th September

Newhaven’s run of three consecutive cup games culminated with an FA Vase match against Faversham Strike Force.

Having progressed in the Sussex Senior Cup prior to being beaten on penalties in the RUR Cup, hopes were high that we could progress in the Vase – arguable the most prestigious cup competition for teams at this level, with reward for the finalists being a trip to Wembley.

Standing in our way of progressing were SCEFL Premier Division side Faversham Strike Force, who have won three and drawn one of their opening eight league matches, but arrived at Fort Road on the back of three straight defeats.

Prior to the match – and indeed post-match as well – there were celebrations for striker Lee Robinson’s amazing recent feat of reaching 500 competitive goals for the club. You may have heard about it!

Unfortunately, events on the pitch couldn’t match the celebratory mood of those off it, as for the first time this season the Dockers looked a little off-the-pace.

In an open start to the game Teddy Wood shot just over, before Strike Force went close with a shot that bounced off the far post.

Charlie Gibson was then off target from outside the area, before Faversham went close again with a shot across goal that rolled inches wide.

The clearer chances were definitely falling the visitor’s way and, when they took the lead in the 17^th minute, it was to no one’s great surprise.

That being said, we were very much the victims of our own downfall. Twice we missed the opportunity to clear our lines, and Harry Taylor took full advantage, ramming the ball into the back of the net.

Two minutes later, the lead was doubled. A speculative long-range shot from Khayrie Harris skidded along the ground and evaded the grasp of the diving Roman Chiosa.

Minutes later, Dexter Lambert forced the visiting keeper into action for the first time with a shot from just outside the area, before the same player shot high and wide from a tight angle.

In truth, though, the Dockers were struggling to create any clear chances.

In the 33^rd minute, Strike Force had the ball in the net for a third time, only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul (may have been a high-foot; not sure), before Harry Hammond struck the outside of the post as half-time approached.

At the interval, though, there were few complaints regarding the scoreline, with the visitors looking a little bit sharper than the out-of-sorts Dockers.

Any hopes that some harsh words at the break (along with a couple of changes) may provoke a reaction from Newhaven were swiftly dashed. Chiosa had to be alert to keep the ball out of the net within minutes of the restart, before Strike Force got the killer third in the 53^rd minute, when Jack Smith headed home unmarked from inside the six-yard box.

We then got lucky as another visiting goal was chalked off, this time for a foul on Chiosa, before a minute later, the post to come to our rescue.

Belatedly, we did then start to apply some pressure ourselves. Teddy Wood, who looked Newhaven’s main attacking threat throughout, dragged wide after breaking into the area, before Billy Oliver’s goal-bound shot was blocked.

With 12-minutes remaining we were offered a potential lifeline when, after consultation with his assistant, the ref awarded us a penalty for an off-the-ball incident.

As regular supporter’s will know, though, our record from the spot has been somewhat patchy this season, so when Ryan Blunt’s penalty was saved it’s fair to say shock wasn’t the prevailing emotion at Fort Road. Blunt could only then head the rebound over as Newhaven’s chance of staging an unlikely late comeback seemingly evaporated.

That said, Newhaven did grab a consolation with eight minutes of normal time remaining. Wood was brought down in a dangerous area, Pacey Bean’s brilliant free-kick struck the bar, and Leo Charman was first to react to the rebound to grab his first senior goal for Newhaven.

From then on, the Dockers pushed and pushed for another, but Strike Force held firm to take their place in the next round of the Vase. The Road to Wembley ends for another year!

In fairness, it’s hard to be too critical of the lads. As mentioned on numerous occasions this season, this is a very young side (sorry, not you Robbo or Bayo) and off days are going to happen every now and again. This was very much an off day.

The test now will be to see how the youngsters bounce back from a first defeat in 90-minutes since the opening day of the season in the FA Cup way back in the first week of August.

And we don’t have long to wait to find out the answer to that question, as we entertain Shoreham in the league at Fort Road on Tuesday night, before making the overseas trip to Gurnsey on Saturday.

Let’s hope we can get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

Your support, as ever, will be much appreciated.

Come On You Dockers!

My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Teddy Wood. The diminutive forward worked his socks off from the first minute until the last and always looked the Dockers best source of a route back into the game.