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Newhaven FC away to Saltdean FC in the SCFL at Hill Park |
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The Dockers are back at Hill Park to face The Tigers on a breezy (and some) and wet (sideways rain) Autumn (freezing more like) evening. They are under new management with ex-Dockers Coach and U23's Manager Kieron at the helm. Hope it goes well for him, except tonight when we hope he has a nightmare. We were here back in January when the Tigers were struggling and came away with the points after winning 7-0. Expecting them to be a better footballing side tonight under Kieron's influence but still hope they get a bit battered tonight. A couple of familiar faces in the Tigers with ex Dockers including an old favourite, Aaron Windsor. Marley was here last year but no sign of the speedy striker today.
Saltdean won the toss but for some reason thought it was good idea to start with the Dockers are attacking with the wind 🤷♂️. And it is some wind blowing in off the sea. The wind assistance helps the reds, seen here in blue, run riot in the first spell. The with a long range strike for Alfie being the first on target in the 2nd minute ⚽. Callum Edwards doubles the lead on 9 with a strike from way out on the right that misses everyone and goes straight into the net⚽. Of course he meant it. He's got a great strike on him. The Dockers are dominant but struggling with the wind which is blowing the rain under the stand roof as we try to stay dry. The Tigers started to get a bit of a grip on the game, restricting the Dockers to only a few more chances and nearly pulled one back in the dying seconds but it went way over the bar. It could and should have been 3-0 but could easily have been 2-1. Who will get the 3rd goal? The Dockers are 2 up and looking 'reasonably' comfortable at the break.
The second half saw the Dockers playing into the wind. The Tigers were unable to exploit having the wind behind them and both sides defended well with limited chances. It was settled by Rob Malia on 86 ⚽ as he fired home from the edge of the box after a Callum Edwards corner. All over at Hill Park except for one of the Tigers who got sin-binned with about 7 minutes to go so was effectively sent off.
An entertaining game as it's always more enjoyable to watch with a goal or two in the bank. Dockers have played better and need to be more clinical. Saltdean have improved but have a long way to go. Looking forward to coming back soon here to see an improved team and the big upgrade that is coming to Hill Park. The crowd was a little (though it was marginal) quieter tonight after the feedback on the 'rowdiness' during and after the Lingfield game 🤐.
POTM: Goes to Mad Max Vardy who had a funny 5 minutes and entertained us all running round after the ball like a cat doing zoomies. Until he got reined in and settled down to defend sensibly 🤣.
The officials did receive some limited feedback but could have done worse. Line keeping for off-side was always going to be a nightmare in the gale force winds.
International action up next with a trip to the North East🥶.
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
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| It 's Dark At Hill Park |
