Hassocks 1 Newhaven 2, SCFL Premier Division Match #2, Tuesday 4th August 2026
Football is well and truly back!
We’ve not yet reached the end of the first week in August
and we’re already two league games down.
Following hot-on-the-heels of Saturday’s home draw with Crawley Down Gatwick, was a jaunt to Hassocks; a team widely being tipped for an immediate return to the Isthmian League.
It’s no secret that it was results (or lack thereof) against the teams towards the top end of the table that ultimately cost us a potential play-off berth last season. This was an early opportunity to show that we’ve learned lessons from that campaign, and that we can at least compete with the best teams in the league.
On a perfect evening for football, it was the Dockers who
made the more positive start. Although early chances were few and far between,
Newhaven did manage to force a succession of corners which ultimately went
unrewarded.
For their part, Hassocks seemed to be finding it hard to
find any rhythm. Only really carrying a threat from Kyle Sim’s monstrously-long
throw-ins (although given his record against us last season when he was at
Haywards Heath, it made absolute sense for the hosts to employ the direct
approach).
With the Dockers on top, it came as no real surprise when
they took the lead just before the 20-minute mark.
Joe Radley-Martin’s cross-field ball found Lee Robinson in
space down the right. His cross was met by the onrushing Tyler Capon whose shot
hit the underside of the bar, and Billy Oliver was on hand to nod the ball over
the line.
Things could have gotten even better for the Dockers a
couple of minutes later, when Max Vardy shot wide from a tight angle.
With Hassocks struggling to create, and Newhaven’s backline
standing firm against the aerial bombardment, the Dockers were looking more
than good value for their lead.
Hassocks didn’t really fashion an opportunity of note until
five minutes from the break, and even that ended up sailing harmlessly over the
bar.
That said, we did get a slice of luck a couple of minutes
later when the ball certainly seemed to strike a Newhaven hand inside the
penalty area. Nothing was given.
Bizarrely, the ref then stopped the game to explain his
decision VAR-style to the crowd. Unfortunately, I couldn’t hear what he said
from where I was standing, but I presume he deemed the Newhaven player to be
too close to the ball to have been able to do anything about it. Whatever he
said, it didn’t appease the majority of the crowd, a few of whom were
particularly vocal about the decision (and subsequent explanation).
Going into the interval level, though, would have been harsh
on the Dockers who had been the better side in the opening 45-minutes.
To no one’s great surprise, Hassocks started the second-half
with rather more vigour. They’d already gone close to an equaliser when, just
six minutes after the restart, they found themselves level.
Winning the ball deep inside their own half, the Robins countered
at pace, culminating with Jamie Wilkes keeping his calm to finish past Leo
Anderson.
At this point, I was expecting a long, tricky second-half. Hassocks suddenly looked to have the wind in their sails. However, much like us after we
equalised against Crawley Down on Saturday, an onslaught never really
materialised.
In fact, it was the Dockers who next went closest to scoring
when Radley-Martin volleyed Robbo’s cross over.
With 15-minutes left, Newhaven scored what proved to be the
winner. Radley-Martin’s clever pass found Robbo just outside the area, and he
cut inside before sending a low shot into the bottom corner. Two in two for
Robbo. Age is but a number!
Everyone knew what was going to come next. Hassocks had
already been direct. Now they were super direct. The remaining 15-minutes was
very much a case of us showing resilience; something that was lacking at times
last season.
We were reliant on two superb late clearances off the line –
one from Rudy Jones; the other from Matt Gunn – to help us secure the three
points. A few Hassocks fans were adamant the Jones clearance had crossed the
line, but the assistant was equally adamant it hadn’t. There was a touch of
confusion when the ref then went to speak to the assistant (who hadn’t signalled for
anything) when the ball next went out of play, but nothing was given. Thankfully.
Not that Hassocks were the only team creating chances late
on. Ryan Blunt went close to scoring a wordly, taking on and beating three Robins’
defenders, before seeing his shot well saved by Mitch Bromage.
Jesse Lambert and Dexter Lambert (not related in case you
were wondering) both had late opportunities as well, perhaps when heading to
the corner flag would have been a preferable option... But, ultimately, we did
enough to hold on for an, on the whole, deserved three points.
A gruelling opening week of the season for the Dockers doesn’t
get any easier, as we’re back on the road again on Friday evening, this time for an
FA Cup match against league rivals Forest Row (19:45 kick-off at Three Bridges FC).
We then do get a much-needed week break (providing there’s
no FA Cup replay) before hosting Guernsey in the FA Vase on the 15th August (14:00 kick-off).
Your support at all games is always appreciated.
Come On You Dockers!
My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Joe Radley-Martin. A very difficult decision as there were strong candidates across the pitch in what was very much a team performance. Radley-Martin just gets my vote, though, for a performance full of industry, and his ability to create chances in tight games.
While I’ve got your attention, if you’re off on holiday and
fancy a summer read (or just enjoy reading), please check out my debut adult
novel, Snapped (available to download on Kindle). Thank you
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