Newhaven FC host Broadbridge Heath FC in a pre-season friendly at Fort Road
The Dockers hosts last season's champions, the Bears, at a very overcast evening by the River Ouse. There are no team sheets but a few familiar faces on the pitch. Alfie is back (for how long) and is in the starting 11. Blunty starts and is playing deeper as a number 6. The actual no. 6 centre-half is new. Patch is up front after his double Golden Boot in the U18 and U23 last season. Demas is also a starter on the right wing with a new boy playing 11 on the left. There a no Robinsons on the pitch but Little is in the stand and the stand has been named after Big. The Lee Robinson Stand. Hope he doesn't do much too standing and we see him running soon.
The Bears start well with Jake being called in to action to make a couple of early saves. It gradually levels out with the Dockers starting to get the better chances. Demas on the wide right picked up the ball and everyone expected a cross but he cut in and chipped it to the far post where trialist playing as 11, now known to be Luca Page, ran in to the put it in the net ⚽. First goal of the season and a good one too. Still a goal up at half time.
Some changes in the second half with Rhodes coming on for Alfie. The Bears start to apply the pressure and the inevitable happens on 62 when a low cross goes in off one of the Dockers to level the score. They take the lead shortly after when a shot hits the post and the rebound goes in off Billy. They have to wait for the 3rd goal but it is a good one when it comes with blast through a crowd of players from the corner of the box. At least they scored it themselves this time. Bailie comes on in place of the new 3 and it's nice to see him back after his nasty facial injury late last season. Conner came on for Patch but by that time the ball was mostly down the other end. The final goal is another good one with a cheeky chip over an onrushing Jake. Doh. 4-1 to the visitors.
The Dockers did well against higher (this season) opposition and there was no fault to assign for the own goals. The changes didn't help the consistency but that's the point of a friendly. A couple of new potential signings, spoiler alert, both the no. 6 and no. 11 have signed and they are Owen Cole and Luca Page who both looked very promising. Owen look calm and composed on the ball and in control of the situations. The Bears nerves showed a times but the settled after they had scored. The horrendous weather (it was properly pissing down) didn't help as it rained hard from 20 minutes and although it eased off it never really stopped. A good run out for the Dockers and a good test. Couple of potential signing look good too. Good luck to the Bears in the new season in the Isthmian South East League. Hope to join you there next season.
POTM: Lots of impressive new faces but it goes to old favourite Demas for the cheeky chip that caught them out for the goal.
Ref had a good game and let it flow. Always a difficult balance in a friendly when it's not so friendly really. He showed great initiative when he was told to Foxtrot Oscar by one of the Bears and instead of using the sin bin, he allowed a substitution.👍
Scranometer sat in the corner with a Mars bar and Coke induced sugar rush but the hot chocolate was the usual 8/10.
The Ferry ⛴, Seven Sisters today, came in on schedule.
Back here next week for more of the same.
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
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| Back at Fort Road |
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| Arriving at the Skate Park End |
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| Ferry is here |
