(You've gotta) Goal With It

Newhaven FC at home to Saltdean United FC in the SCFL Premier League at Fort Road

The Dockers ⚓host local rivals, the Tigers 🐯, on a warm late summer 🌇 evening by the Ouse. We can't remember playing the Tigers without the weather being horrific but maybe it's always like that at Hill Park. It's nice at here Fort Road but the nights are drawing in earlier. You know what that means, Winter in Coming! But not yet as it's still shorts weather. The Dockers have been struggling since the start of the season and we don't expect tonight to be any different. Kieron will have the Tigers purring, well organised and motivated. The Dockers have had a weekend off, kind of. Their game in the FA Vase 1st round was abandoned without kicking off. Tooting Bec, who were the home team, forgot their kit. The game has been deemed to be an Away Walkover so we are through to the 2nd Round . That could be considered a cup run in the Dockers current form. This is non-league football so we won't mock the very embarrassed club and it's hard working volunteers. Instead we will have another laugh at the time that Arsenal Women had to buy socks in the Chelsea Club Shop before the game could start due to a sock clash. Time for some team news. The BIG news is that Josh Tuck is back. Not sure if it's for long but we hope so. We had heard he signed for Lancing and we were missing him badly. His arrival may be in some way connected to the departure of Max Vardy who has signed for Seaford. Good luck Max. Bussy is back which is very good news. Across the back line is Reedy, Josh, Bailie and Etienne. Charlie, Tom and Warwick are in the midfield. Up front are Lee on the left, Shonk on the right and Jake in the middle. There are some familiar names in the Tigers squad. Old favourite and ex Docker, Aaron Windsor, is at left back, No doubt that he will be covering a few miles up and down the wing from there. Herbie Rogers is up front having signed from Seaford. Badger 🦡becoming a Tiger🐅. Both have stripes but that's about it. On the bench are ex-Docker under 23's Alex 'Patch' Patching and Toby Reeder. Hoping that they are still on the bench at 90 minutes. The Tigers form, hasn't been great and they only have a single point from the first 4 games. Hoping that's 1 from 5 games after today. We are back to 2 Rogers and 2 Robinsons on the pitch today, just not all the same ones are before. This is our 200th game watching football, both good (rarely) and not so good (Mostly, I'm looking at you Tranmere). Wonder in which camp this game will fall.

The Dockers make a good start with an early goal. It's great through ball by Shock to Lee who rounds the keeper then plays a reverse pass into the opposite corner beating the last defender on 5 ⚽. Lee looks to be playing really well tonight with some great early touches of the ball. Reedy gets clear on the overlap down the right but is tripped from behind. Free kick but no card!. Ref maybe forgotten his pencil ✏️ today. Or is this one of those that uses crayons 🖍️. The Dockers extend their lead on 20 ⚽ when Jake fires in a rocket form outside the box🚀. Jake scores again on 22 but the lino rules it out for off-side. Lee tells the ref where to stick his crayons now that he appears to have found them and heads off to the sinbin for a 10 minute nap😴. The lines person weathers the storm of abuse (sorry😶) for a while then eventually explains that Jake bad been off-side but moved back on side after the ball is played. Why he couldn't have indicated that at the time only he knows. Warwick is all over the pitch tonight and gets his reward when he rounds the keeper to find the net from an impossibly tight angle on 24⚽. It's almost 4 as Josh heads just wide on 31. Lee returns to the pitch after his lie down to get the Dockers back up to 11. However, it's not long before the Tigers get a goal. The Dockers fail to deal with a long ball and it's dispatched past Bussy into the net on 35. 3-1. Tom Vickers goes in for a thumping 50:50 tackle in the centre circle. His opponent doesn't get up but play continues. The ref eventually stops play so the poor dying player can be read the last rights or maybe get some treatment. The Tigers swarm round the ref trying to get Tom booked for stamping. Really🙄. The whistle goes with no further drama.

The second half starts well with the arrival of the ferry 🚢 at 8.52. Eight minutes early, top marks Captain. The Dockers are less fluid since the break. Jake comes close on 57 but hits it just wide. The changes start on 58 as Jack Shonk makes way for defender Jacob Thomson. Reedy moves up to right wing. The Tigers are playing the ref well and getting all the decisions. The Dockers defence is caught out again and Patch makes no mistake on 65. 3-2. It's going to be a nervy last 25 for the Reds. Be a miracle if we can hang on to the lead that long. There is a big cheer 📣 on 73 as the ref finally blows his whistle😮‍💨 for a foul on a Dockers player. Not sure if he meant it. Wherever he did or not, it's probably the last time. The Tigers get a good chance on 74 but it goes wide. A minute later and it's in the net or is it? No it's just wide again. Still 3-2. Dockers are clinging on here. Josh is injured and gets treatment on the pitch. Ref makes him go off to get it bandaged. Down to 10 men again. Dockers are awarded a throw deep in the attacking half. They look like they preparing for a corner and nobody goes to take the throw. Etienne eventually goes over but before he gets a chance is booked for time wasting 🤷‍♀️. Josh eventually rejoins the field with a very blue bandage round his head. He is promptly booked for something🖍️. Harry Reed is replaced on 85 by Cai Pritchard who is new to us. The Dockers manage to hang on to the lead despite their own, the refs and the Tigers best efforts. 3-2 the Reds 👏.

That was great at the beginning and nervy at the end. The Dockers dominated to start with and probably thought they had finished it off in 25 minutes with 3 goals. The Tigers thought otherwise and never gave up. There are few missing for the Dockers today although they looked like their old selves to start.  They slipped back to being their new selves as the game progressed. Josh Tuck being back made a big difference and we can't wait until he in teamed up with Robbie Keith again. Soon please 🙏. Our favourite young Docker from a couple of years ago , Aaron Windsor had a really good game. Their second goal was scored by ex-U23 Docker, Patch. Looks like they are flourishing under Kieron who was their U23 coach until taking up the role at Saltdean. Looks like he is starting to stabilise the team as it all went a bit Pete Tong after the money dried up and they went from 2nd in the league to battling relegation. Judging by tonight's spirited performance, they are going to give every team a hard scrap. Dockers are up to 8th so looking better although still a bit flaky at the back. Tonight was our 200th game and 200th match report. Hope the next 200 are just as much fun.

POTM: Tough one today as there were some good performances all over the pitch. The award goes to Ryan Warwick for his influence throughout the game and a great goal 🏅. Special mention goes to Aaron AAAZZZZAA Winsor for a fantastic performance having a big impact on the game for a left back. Well done.

The ref had a bad day at the office. The first sinbin we've seen in over a year despite refs putting up with much worst abuse than Lee's expletive that didn't seem aimed at anyone in particular. More than once he let play continue despite a player down on the floor with a head injury. So, in summary , inconsistent and ineffective. Good banter with the crowd though. Not. We are left wondering if he uses FA approved crayons or brings his own. #crayola

Ferry watch: The Seven Sisters was early today with the 9pm arrival docking at 8:52. Good driving.

See you soon.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

A nice evening at Fort Road

Confused of BN9

Millpond

Tatts Don't Impress Me Much

Newhaven FC at home to Bexhill United FC in the SCFL Premier League at Fort Road

The Dockers ⚓host the Pirates 🏴‍☠️ in the much re-arranged and now moved fixture. It was due to be held at Bexhill on Wednesday, then Tuesday and suddenly it was moved to Fort Road on Saturday. Who know what's going on but we don't care as it means we can walk down on a sunny afternoon by the River Ouse🔆. The Dockers have had a patchy start to the season having not won since the opening day and drawn after going behind against YM at home last week. The Pirates have had a worse start and have lost their last four. Neither team is setting the league table alight with both in the bottom half. There is no sign of Bussy and Josh James, new name to us, is in goal. The backline is one we've seen before maybe wish we hadn't. Max and Harry are out wide with Tom and Billy in the middle. No sign of Bailey or Robbie.  Blunty and Charlie are in the midfield with Warwick and Cal out wide. Warwick is better as a number 8 but we seem to be a bit short of wingers while Little is out. Short of short wingers then!😂 🧥➡🚪. He is still working with the coaches so hope he is back soon. No sign of Luca either. Up front are Shonk and Lee. There is a new name on the bench in the shape of a left back Etienne Frimpong. Tarum Rohilla is also on the bench. This is the first time we have seen him this season but he was around last season. Good player, hope he hangs around. It looks like the Pirates might only have two subs. Let's see how we get on.

The Dockers get couple of early half chances as they attack the skate park end. No-one is surprised when we don't score as our early game form is non-existent at the moment. Our defence is looking ropey. No surprise there either, we are not sure who is in midfield and who in central defence. Looks like Tom and Charlie are interchanging. It's a good plan but not sure it's working. Or it might not be a plan at all and it's just a bit chaotic in front of goal. The defending is at fault when the Pirates get down the left wing and are allowed to run through everyone from wide left, deep into the box. The resulting low cross is put into the net on 21. A well deserved lead. Can we hang on until the break without conceding again? Against the run of play, the Dockers break and a deep cross is headed in at the back post by Tom. It's off-side and the lino got it spot on this time. The Dockers are still putting themselves under pressure and but helped out by Josh Jones who makes a great double save on 30. Warwick is decisive at the edge of the box but his shot is blasted well over. Max tries an overhead kick from a corner. It's very tame and not very overhead. Wayne Rooney it wasn't. Highlight of the first half is when a couple of Spitfires do a flypast  on their way home from Eastbourne Airbourne✈️✈️. Excitement over, Cal goes down injured in the middle under a nasty challenge and the ref waves to play-on. Play continues until the ball goes out a minute or so later. Cal is still down and when his treatment is finished, the ref pulls the play back to point of the foul. Probably the longest advantage we have ever seen played that was then pulled back when no advantage was gained👀. We don't make anything of the freekick and the half is over thankfully. 1-0 to the visitors.

The Pirates and the officials are ready to kick off on time but there is no sign of the Dockers. Have they decided not to come back out? They eventually arrive and the reason for the delay is obvious. There have been 3 changes with Tom, Max and Billy being replaced by Koby, Tarun and Etienne. Big change to swap out most of the defence in one go. First half defending could have been worse.  And for about 10 minutes it is worse. It's very nervy at the back. We do start to settle a little with the occasional attack being the best form of defence. Lee gets clear but stumbles as he runs into the box and the chance is gone. Koby is booked for a very late challenge and then Shonk is replaced by Jake on 57. Straight swap. Cal is dogged on the right wing and somehow wins a corner. He takes it himself and his inswinger goes straight into the net ⚽. Is it deflected?, maybe, who cares. The Dockers are level on 58. He strikes again 2 minutes later as he curls a long range left footed shot in from the right corner of the penalty box on 60 ⚽. 2-1 to the Dockers. The keeper might have a couple of assists, we can't be sure but he isn't claiming either goal😶. He gets a bit of stick from the crowd (sorry😔) but it doesn't seem to put him off any more than before😂. There is a drink break as it warm and the Dockers seem to improve a little. Not sure what they were drinking 🍹. There is a nasty foul on Reedy on 80 as he gets an elbow in the head. The play carries on regardless but is eventually stopped. Harry is subbed off to be replaced by Mo. Charlie goes into Reedy's right back position and Mo goes up front. At least one player is smiling. The Pirates press in the remaining minutes and they get the inevitable late equaliser on 90+1. We will have to hang on for about another 5 minutes before the whistle goes. The last bit of entertainment comes on 90+3 when the Pirates no.3 has to walk the plank as he gets a straight red    for dissent. Opps. He gets a round of applause (that's our excuse👏) on his way back to the tunnel. Too late to make any difference to the game. It's all over and the Dockers snatch a draw from the jaws of victory in the late minutes yet again 🤷‍♂️.

That's another point for the Dockers and it could be said that they were unlucky to concede the late goal. They were lucky to score 2 goals from almost nowhere thanks to the fantastic skills of Calum Edwards. Poor, or complete lack of, decision making and sloppy play making it far too easy for the visitors who for some reason looked happy with a draw. They will look back and be disappointed that they didn't put the floundering Dockers to the sword ⚔ early on and claimed all the booty 💰 for themselves. There is lots of work for the Reds to do with the three changes at halftime being a big statement that then didn't work. There are some players still to come back and it's peak holibobs season so players will be sitting on the beach 🏖 instead of the bench. It will settle down and improve, meanwhile the wonder goals are papering over the cracks. If we wanted to watch football this bad we could have stayed in and watched Tranmere on Sky+. Except we don't have Sky Sports!  Thinking a few more trips to the mighty Dripping Pan might be coming up. But, the sun is shining and there was a lovely breeze walking home along the cliff top. Stunning views too.

The ref was good. Got the big things right although definitely had his own style. Liking the "refs with loads of tats" thing too. Don't see that very often. If ever, although we suspect that Mike Dean has a discreet LFC tattoo somewhere😶. Line keeping was it's usual hit and miss self but the disallowed goal was spot on. A good half a yard off. 45.7cms to those that are metricated. Is football ever going metric?

POTM: Goes to Cal 🏅 for proving the wallpaper, paste, pasting brushes, pasting table and everything else required to paper over the cracks. The jury is still out on whether the keeper provided an assist or two by footing the ladder for Cal. Inverted wingers rule.

Ferry watch: The ferry ⛴ was in when we arrived and still there when we left. Can't keep up with this timetable any more.

See you soon.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Sunny afternoon at Fort Road

Today's teams

Scenic route home

Rook The Casbah

Lewes FC away to Bognor Regis Town FC in the Isthmian Premier League at the MKM Arena

The Rocks play host to the Rooks in a Sussex derby at the Nye Camp. East meets West on an autumnal evening on the Sussex coast. Hopefully the rain seems to have been and gone for today.  Fingers crossed it stays dry. We have split loyalties tonight as we love our local team, the Rooks, but Dougie is back at Rocks at four seasons at the Hornets🐝. He came off the bench late on in their 3-2 loss away at Cheshunt. The Rooks won 2-0 at home to Chatham despite having a change of manager and big turnover of players in the summer. A few favourites have gone as we saw at the Hornets. Dougie looks like he is playing left mid field or left wing. Making use of his left foot🦶.

The Rocks are on top from the start and the Rooks look sloppy in possession. Neither can get a good shot on goal as both are defending well. There is an odd incident where the Rock's striker appears to be pushed in the back by a Rooks defender who then goes down like he's been shot in the ear. It's ends up as a Rooks free kick near their corner flag. Bizarre. Hope that's not how it's going to continue with lots of unnecessary rolling around pretending to be dying. Not great to watch. It doesn't re-occur and it turns into a good flowing game although not much of it in the final 3rds. The Rocks have the upper hand with a little more quality their attacking possession. Ben Mundele is replaced by Patrick Muirhead on 21 for an injury off the ball that looked like a hamstring. Was on his feet to leave the pitch so hope he's ok soon. At one point, the Rooks keeper catches the ball safely and as he tries to get to the edge of the box, he is obstructed by a Rock who goes theatrically flying to the floor. There is a minor melee with about 1/3 of each team joining in. The ref breaks it up quickly and it's eventually a Rooks free kick. It was clearly obstruction but not sure if anyone got booked in the chaos. The Rooks have the better of the last 10 minutes of the half getting joy down their right wing with Matt Warren getting deep and putting in some good crosses. Can't remember at the moment who is playing on the left for Bognor and should be stopping these runs but sure the name will come to us 😂. The Rocks defence 🧱 holds firm and it's goalless at the break.

The Rooks last burst seems to have levelled things up a bit after the restart with neither side having much quality in possession. Success for both teams looks most likely to happen on the break. Dougie goes off after 58 to be replaced by Jasper Mather. Don't have to feel guilty about supporting the Rooks now. It's lively but still without much quality except for the occasional stepover or backheel. Of the two, the Rooks keeper is called into action to make the better saves which he does well. The breakthrough comes for the Rooks when a cross is flicked on and tapped home by Eddie Allsop on 85 ⚽ . Cue about 2 minutes of limbs from the Red and Black army behind the goal. The 5 minutes of added time seem to take an age ⏳️ with the Rocks taking (or trying to take) control. Lewes are calm in possession but Bognor get some chances. The whistle goes and it's bedlam behind the goal. All the Rooks players come over to share the victory with the fans. Great game. Home time🚗🏠.

The was a really enjoyable game to watch. The late goal helped but it would still have been good had it finished 0-0. But it didn't🤭. Six points from the first two games for the rebuilt Lewes team under new manager Craig Nelson. Think the fans love him already. There is work to do for Bognor who weren't far off.  There would have been no complaint if they had won it as they should have been ahead at the break. We haven't seen a scrap 🥊on that scale for a while. It was a bit half-hearted but they don't seem to get out of hand anymore. Maybe we just go to the nicest places😁. It was good to see Dougie playing more forward than at Horsham. Hopefully back to goalscoring form soon as he was up to 7 in the season cut short by Covid which was his last at the Rocks before joining the Hornets. Can't remember how many he scored in Yellow and Green but maybe there were one or two that sneaked through without us noticing. Glad we came along tonight.  It was a great game and an enjoyable evening with the bonus out 3 points heading east on the A27.

POTM: Going for 2 today. Dougie for an astonishing bit of footwork defending at the edge of the box. Where has he been hiding those skills 🤷? And for the Rooks it goes to Marcus Sablier. We love a pacy winger. He had a great game and his replacement, Mal Morris did well too.

The ref did well. One or two strange decisions need to give the crowd something to "Boo"📣. Nothing that impacted the result though. It wasn't clear who he was booking and why at times.

The Scran'O'meter had a lovely night out and awarded 8/10 for the Haloumi Burger 🍔with chilli 🌶️jam and 9.5 for the hot chocolate ☕. The Nye Camp still top of the hot chocolate league table even though Doug's Tuck Shop has gone. Might start a petition 📝 to get it back.

See you at Fort Road at the Weekend.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Back at the Nye Camp

The lights are on

A late goal for Lewes

The Rocks

MKM Area apparently

YM Does It Always Rain On Me?

Newhaven FC away to Horsham YMCA in the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary round at the Herbert Direct Stadium

Newhaven FC away to Horsham YMCA in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round at the Herbert Direct Stadium The FA Cup starts here with the Dockers visit the YM at Gorings Mead with just 6 rounds to go to reach the first round proper. It's a nice ground surrounded by tall trees and we're in the main stand sitting on seats that came from the Withdean Stadium. Last time we sat on these was to watch Tranmere lose to Brighton. Hoping for a better result today and a the forecast is for a bit less rain. We've got raffle tickets so will need to keep and ear👂🏻 out and fingers crossed 🤞🏻at half-time. It's a mixed up line up and we're not quite sure who is playing where. Hope they know what they are doing. Bussy we know about the backline consists of Billy and Ash Wadhams with Max and maybe Tom in the middle. Or it could be Joe Summerbell and tom in the 6. Maybe they don't know either. Charlie Curran is on the left wing and it might be Koby or Warwick on the right. Lee and Jake are up front. Bailey, Shonk and Luca are on the bench. Don't recognise any of the YM players. The pitch seems very short and wide but at least the grass has been cut. There is a bit of a slope in places but it's better than many. The YM won their first game against Little Common 5-0 which put them top of the league which will fill them with confidence. The Dockers beat the Varndeanians 2-1 at Fort Road so no big statement to start the season. Perhaps they peaked in pre-season as they won all 6 games. Let's see how it goes.

The YM are on it from the start. Very intense and aggressive. The first chance goes to teg Dockers though as Tom heads just over. It's the hosts who are first on the score sheet as a low cross is deflected in off a dockers leg on 8. A goal down, the Dockers need to settle and get a grip on the game. They don't and it's 2-0 after 14 minutes. Important third goal, etc, etc. The YM are denied it as they head just over on 18. The first sub of the day is the injured Charlie Curran who was hurt in a "50-50" tackle a few minutes ago. No one seems to fill Charlie's role of the left as his replacement, Reedy, goes on the right wing. Looks like Ash has the left wing to himself. That's a lot of space to fill. Bussy jumps to punch a ball clear at the edge of the box and is clattered into by a YM striker. He goes down badly, not m moving and is soon surrounded by support staff. He is down for about 15 minutes before he gets up and is applauded as he is helped off the pitch. He is walking and conscious which is good but if it was serious he would be fighting them off to get back in goal. Hope he is OK. Get well soon Bussy. The replacement keeper is Roman Chiosa who we have seen before. He was around for pre-season but also playing the Whitehawk cup win a couple of seasons ago. Big performance needed from him today as he could have a busy afternoon that could start to look like a rugby score if the Dockers don't get it together. A big sigh of relief is breathed as the whistle goes for the break and the Dockers can get a stern talking to🗯.

Winner, winner, tofu dinner. We won a tub of celebrations in the half-time raffle. As tempting as it to spend the 2nd half in the car eating them. it's time to return to the torment.

A sub for the Dockers at half-time with Joss O'Halloran replacing Ash at left back. It's still a struggle for the Dockers but the important 3rd goal could change the game. The battle against the ref takes on a new twist as Max Vardy is booked for an alleged foul off the ball. The ref didn't see as he was 15 yards away watching the play. So how he could give a yellow card is anybody's guess. Answers on a postcard to wedontknowwhatweredoing@thefa.com. Anyway, a freekick it is. It's taken 7 or 8 yards forward of where the alleged foul may or may not have taken place. It's curled into the box and ends up in the back of the Dockers net on 56. The ref chalks up his first assist. The Dockers first "shot" of target comes from Tom who shoots from range after a storming run up the pitch. It's tame and easily saved on 60. An attacking change is made a Vardy is replaced by Luca who goes on the left. The hosts are still dominating and score their fourth on 70. Is it an OG off the keeper? Who cares to be honest. Keepers not going to claim it. The Dockers defence is still all over the place. There is no cover from the mid-field either. It certainly isn't inspiring confidence in Roman who looks nervous in goal. The YM striker misses an open goal on 74. How did he put that wide. It's 5-0 on 40 from a great volley. Work rate and team work has made the difference but at last a little bit of quality. Shame it's for the wrong team. The Dockers finally manage to string together a couple of passes as Billy and Luca combine down the left wing. A decent cross to Shonk who scores the late consolation on 88⚽. It's a bit too late for a fight back now lads.  The YM miss again on 90+1 with almost the last kick of the game. Glad that's all over.

What a horror show that was. The Dockers were so good in pre-season but now seems to have forgotten all that training and who their new team mates are. This should have been a tight game between two good teams but the Dockers chose otherwise. The mid field and defence were non-existent. When you being ripped to bits that the back yet continue to pass out from the back was the cause of some real nail biting moments. A lot of work to do before Tuesday with the first away league game at Crawley Down. That's enough moaning for now. Congratulations to the YM and good luck n the next round of the FA cup. That energy and aggression could carry them far.

POTM: One player that really put in a shift was Billy. Also played a big part in the only goal. Well done 🏅.

The ref had a bit of a shocker too and the injuries may not have happened had he got a grip early on. The aggression of the YM crossed the line at times and the ref turned a blind eye to what was not far from judo at times. Though the tackle on Bussy was an easy yellow as there was no attempt to jump to play the ball yet the jumping Bussy got upended by the player going under him. The ref didn't even think it was a foul and had to give a dropped ball as he had let play to continue with the keeper unconscious on the floor. And the first of only 2 yellows was for an alleged tackle that he didn't see. It can't have been giving for stopping an attacking opportunity because he did nothing about those later on in the game. So what was it for? He didn't know because he was miles away watching the player with the ball. We should have kept quiet about not be able to moan about the refs as they were all acting like grown ups. It seems that there a still a few opinionated "Tories" out there to let us have a good moan every now and then.  Just hope it's not too often.

The Dockers are back to concentrating on the league. And the 3 other cups. See you somewhere soon.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Dockers taking a corner

We've arrived

Nice little ground

Newhaven on the BBC app!

Breaking Up Is Lard To Do

Horsham FC face Steyning Town Community FC in the Sussex Community Shield at Culver Road

The Hornets 🐝 as Sussex Challenge Cup champions 🏆 take on the Barrowmen who are SCFL champions 🏆 at the Sussex FA headquarters and the home of the Lancers. Tonight is in aid of the NSPCC so hoping they raise a load of money. We have raffle tickets so hoping for something tasty to eat or drink. The predicted storms haven't arrived so it's a lovely warm summer evening at the moment, just perfect for a spot of football. Dougie isn't in the squad tonight as he has left the Hornets to return to the Rocks. There are some familiar faces among the Barrowmen. Newhaven hero Alfie Rogers is starting as the 10 and Rob Malila is at 7 on the left wing. There are a couple of new faces in the Hornets notably our favourite Lewes player Ola Ogunwamide who is on the bench tonight. Up front in the 9, but wearing 19, in Chris Dickson who arrives from the Chatham Town team who beat the Hornets on penalties in their play-off semi-final heartbreak. Hope it's a good scrap from the Barrowmen against the quality we know the Hornets have. Off we go.

The Hornets start well and force the Barrowmen's keeper Nathan Stoomberg-Clarke, NSC, into a double save on 9 minutes keeping out shots from Chris D and Charlie. The Hornets soon get on the scoresheet on 13 ⚽ when the no. 10, Daniel Ajakaiye, blasts in from just inside the box. It's nearly 2 on 17 but NSC makes another great save. He is beaten again on 38 when Dan controls a dropping ball in the box while being pressed by 2 defenders. He somehow gets himself and the ball clear and smashes it home again for his brace ⚽. 2-0 to the Yellow and Green at the break. They have been completely dominant.

We don't win anything in the half time raffle but do manage to buy some nice NSPCC pin badges.  You can find them and details about Childline here.

The only change we can see at the break is that Alfie has been subbed off. The important 3rd goal when it comes, unsurprisingly, goes to the Hornets. Dan's hattrick is denied by a great NSC save only for the ball to end up which Charlie Meekins who makes it count on 54 ⚽. Daniel won't get his hattrick today as he is subbed of on 57. In his place is our favourite, now ex. Lewes player, Ola. Whoop, whoop. Expecting some flying play on the right wing.  Some great passing in the build-up allows Chris Dickson to tap home on 73 ⚽. Steyning haven't given up but are struggling to put together any decent possession. They eventually get their first corner but it comes to nothing. The Horsham manager is making sure they don't back off. "Keep the ball", "Don't slow down". They keep the pace up but are still pushing forward and losing the ball. Some of the decision making in the final 3rd is poor for such a good team. Trying too hard to score another instead of passing and keeping possession. Ole gets it right and is tackled just as he gets to the edge of the box. It looks tight but the ref has a good view and points to the spot. The keeper flicks the ball out of the Hornets play's hands and walks off with it. Trying to put the penalty taker off but it's a different player who steps up to take it so he made himself look like a bit of an idiot for nothing.   Captain James Hammond steps up to make it 5-0 on 87 ⚽. It's all over at Culver Road and it's a convincing win for the men in Yellow and Green.

It was a great game for the Hornets fans and the Lardy Army. Not so good for the Barrowmen who struggled to have any real presence in the game. Lewis Carrey, the Horsham keeper was hardly called into action at all and had no saves to make. Some more silverware for the Hornets trophy cabinet. We would have liked to see more of Alfie and it was a shame he was subbed so early as it looked like he was having a good game or as good as any of them. Things certainly didn't improve without him. Hope he get a good run this season as he can easily clock up a good number of goals. We weren't sure if the Steyning manager kept shouting at his defender Charlie Weller or singing his favourite song from Grease, 🎶Well-a well-a well-a huh, Tell me more, tell me more 🎶, hoping we might all join in 🤷🏻‍♂️. Also got a bit confused about whether the Horsham manager was shouting at his captain, James Hammond or ordering a late avocado 🥑on toast breakfast, "Avo, Avo" 🤷🏻‍♂️. We'll never know or hope not to.  Finally, it was nice to see some Hornets 🐝 as there is a complete absence of bees and wasps on the Sussex coast this summer. Sad to see or not see. 

POTM:   Some great performances on display but it goes to Daniel Ajakaiye, again, for the first couple of goals and especially the skill on show to get the second against the odds.  A brace of POTMs to go with his brace of goals. 🏅🏅

That's it for our time with the Hornets as we follow Dougie back to Bognor. I'd rather be a Rock than a Rebel is how I think it goes. Going to miss the Lardy army and their great range of songs relating to high-fat spread. Thanks. It was fun.

The ref had a great game and was even very funny at times.  Certainly kept the game flowing and good natured.

The Scran'O'meter loved the sausages of the veggie hotdog 🌭 but the roll must have been last season's as it crumbled to dust before we could eat it.  6/10.  

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Corner at Culver Road

The Home of the Sussex FA

The Sussex Community Shield up for grabs

Horsham the Winners

Some good players in there

5 Scorers of Summer

Newhaven FC v Westfield FC (Sussex) in a pre-season friendly at Fort Road

The Dockers⚓ host the Westies 🧭 from the Mid-Sussex League Premier Division in the last of the pre-season friendlies. This fixture last season ended 6 -0 to the Dockers. A repeat of that result tonight would be nice. A lot of new faces tonight. So many it's almost a B side. Jake is on the bench with his stand in between the posts. We have some actual centre halves in the defence tonight in the shape of Max and Tom. Left back wearing 3 is the player we are calling trialist C. Luca is right back. He is normally further forward, but it will be interesting to see how he gets on at the back. Bet he does a good job. In the middle is a big tall player wearing number 4. Will call him trialist D. On the left-wing is new signing Charlie with Ezra Reog opposite on the right. The number 10 role is filled by new signing Mo. Up front with him is a number 9 that we think is Jake Robinson. The final one in the Robinson trio. It looks a bit make shift, but the attacking momentum seems to be holding up this season despite loads of changes being made. It was a bit of a weakness last season that the cohesion was lost when the changes started. Here's to hoping that it is fixed this season. There have been some great editions to our squad and guess there are some more to come yet. Let's see how it goes in the last one that's doesn't count.

The kick off is delayed and the match starts about 8 minutes late. The Dockers look good from the start. It takes 10 minutes to score when a Shonks shot is blocked but Mo is on hand to put the 3 rebound into the back of the net ⚽. Good start. The Westie's keeper comes for a long ball but the ball evades him. Dockers No. 9 Jake Robbo helps himself to the loose ball, rounds the embarrassed keeper and puts the ball in the back of the net on 16⚽. 2-0. Great start. The Westies get a lucky goal back on 37 when the is a scramble in the Dockers box. A deflection sends the ball spinning high in the air. As it drops almost on the goal line, a Westie player gets in between the keeper and the ball so he can't catch it as it bounces into the net. Bugger. 2-1. The visitors settle a bit now and have a good spell. They maintain the pressure on the Dockers but are unable to break down the defence again. The Docters are soon back in attack mode and are pressing again. Ezra is unlucky not to get a goal as his first shot is blocked, he collects the rebound but his second shot is saved. The next goal will be big one for the scoreline. It's the Dockers who score next with their third goal coming from a through pass to Jake who is on-side for once. He nutmegs the keeper to make it 3-1 on 41 ⚽. A clear lead at halftime.

There are some changes for the restart as Jake is replaced by youngster Koby Farrell who is 20 years his junior at just 17. He is a menace for the defence popping up everywhere. Has good feet on the ball too. The Dockers get a corner on 53. It's taken short, Vickers chips it over that top and Trialist D is waiting at 6 yards out at the far post to volley it home ⚽. The ferry finally arrives. It's 1 minutes late this time 😠. The Reds fifth and final goal comes on 68 when Koby dispossesses the keeper outside the box, passes it to Shonk to finish ⚽. There are more chances with Reedy going just over and Koby goes just wide. It's been more even possession but he Dockers have a good second half despite so many changes.

The last friendly and another convincing win for the Reds. The best Westfield last pre-season but the other games were hit and miss. Hoping the form carries into the season. There have been some exciting new signings and they are bedding in nicely. Mo and Koby looking like they with be favourites soon. Hope Jakes stays as he has great quality having played most of his career higher up.

POTM: 5 different goal scorers today but it goes to Mo for getting the scoring started 🏅. Two in two now for the new boy.

👮🏻‍♂️ This is getting boring now 😴. When are we going to get a rubbish or opinionated ref that we can have a good moan about 🤷🏻‍♂️.

⛴Ferry watch. Late again but not according to the time table. Time for a cross letter to the Captain of the Cote d'Albatre. Some days it's 8:30, some 9:00 and today it's 9:15. Grr.

That's it for non-league pre-season. It get's real on Saturday, might be there.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Almost Sunny

Downhill from here

Late ferry

OWLing at the Moon

Newhaven FC v Arundel FC in a pre-season friendly at Mill Road

The Dockers ⚓ head to West Sussex the home of the Mullets of SCFL Division 1. There is a great view of the castle from the ground. The pitch is level but a bit uneven and the grass is quite long and there are clover flowers on it. The Dockers sometimes struggle a bit on slower pitches so this will be a good test for them today. The lineup is different again. Jake is still in goal. There are no centre halves on the pitch as Billy and Bailey are at the heart of the defence, Reedy is on the right and new boy Josh on the left. We think it's Joe Summerbell in the middle with Warwick. Luka is on the left-wing, and there is a new face on the right. Jack Shonk is in the 10 with Lee up front. The opposition are a very mixed bunch height wise but have a height advantage over the Dockers. They also have some odd gym programmes. Fortunately, none of them have haircuts to match their team nickname. It's a lovely setting below the castle and the sun is trying to come out. Let's go.

The Dockers take a while to settle. Not helped by a dreadful back pass from Josh to Jake that is nowhere near powerful enough The Mullets striker gratefully accepts the offer and puts into the net on 15. It's a very slow pitch and the Dockers are being caught out in the strength of their passing. They need to get up to speed quickly. The Mullets keeper is well built but has great reflexes. He makes some great saves otherwise the Dockers would be a good few goals ahead. Not sure how he kept a clean sheet there but he did and the hosts go into the break a goal ahead.

The big news after the break is that the Mullets keeper has changed. Hope the replacement, seen here looking very confident in all fluorescent pink, isn't as good as the guy he replaced. The second half will be disrupted by subs but will try to keep track of it. Reedy is replaced by Max. Cal comes on at right wing, his best side. The Dockers equalise on 60 when Lee scores from a cross⚽. The score line stays level until 80 when Cal curls it into the far top corner from the corner of the box with his left foot like he does ⚽. The Mullets have not had a decent chance since they were gifted a goal on 15. The Dockers only have a slim lead at 90 but it's comfortable. It stays that way until injury time. Mo has replaces Shonk in the 10 behind Lee. They soon swap over and Mo goes up front as Shonk comes back on to play behind him. A short corner from Warwick finds its way back to him and his low cross is turned in at the near post by Shonk on 90 + 2 ⚽. Shonk is in action again as his shot from inside the box is blocked. Mo pops up to slot home the rebound on 90 + 3 ⚽. All over and 41 after a much better second half.

A good recovery from the Dockers, with some partnerships starting to improve. Also some miles in the legs across the squad but there will be some sore legs after running on that long grass. The change of keeper may have helped but the big difference in quality between the sides and it would have shone through eventually. To grab two late goals is good and for Mo to get on the score sheet, you can see how popular he is in the squad already. We had a great time in Arundel seeing the sights. We completed the Big Hoot Owl Trail getting all 8 🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉in town and got a new owl badge too. https://thebighoot.co.uk/

The ref had a good game making sensible decisions and the line keeping of ok too. It's always a bit error prone at this level due to the speed differential between the players and the officials but as long as it's consistent as it seemed to be today than that’s good enough. It's been all good refereeing lately and it's getting a bit boring. When are we going to get a pompous idiot to moan about. Bet it's soon 😑.

The Scran'O'meter was made up with the Carrot Cakes 🍰 from that Mill Road Café and the Cheese Pastie 🥟 from the Moathouse Bakery. Yum. Thanks.

The final pre-season game is on Tuesday and the season starts on Saturday. The Dockers seem ready to go.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

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Nice view of the castle

Arrived at Mill Road

Big Castle

Shall we go to the castle

Big Church too

"Steadfast in ancient virtue"

;

New firiend

Found all 8 owls