Tranmerekat on Tour: Wake me Up When The Season Ends

Newhaven FC host Steyning Town Community FC in the SCFL Premier League at Fort Road

Steyning Town Community Football Club crest

It's first v second as the Dockers host the Barrowmen on a cold and gusty afternoon by the River Ouse. Could have sworn it was warm and sunny at home just a mile away. It's not a battle for the title as that's as good as done already. The Dockers have theoretical chance to be champions but would need to win today and to beat Hassock in the last game and for the Barrowmen to drop points to Uckfield in their last game. It might happen but Uckfield are bottom of the league and Steyning top so it's not going to happen is it. So, it's the playoffs for the Dockers. Also likely to be in the playoff spots are the Crows, Eastbourne Town and either Hassocks or Haywards Heath. All beatable on a good day 🙏. To confuse the issue, Crowborough have a couple of games in hand and can catch Steyning if the win them all. Got all that? Clear as mud👀. Looks like Alfie is being rested as Luke Donaldson is starting and Alex Plumber has been replaced by Tarin Rohilla in the 7. Other than that, it's the same as Tuesday night although they all could be excused for being a bit knackered after the fantastic shift they put in for the last 15 to hold of to the lead. Willl that same commitment be on show today. Probably not but you never know with this team.

The Dockers have to soak up the pressure from the kick off. The Barrowmen are good on the ball and containing the Reds in their own half. We can't get on the ball and Jake is having to kick long and then watch it come back towards him. Their first goal is scruffy, and a bit lucky, but inevitable when it comes on 23. The Dockers keep their heads up and keep attacking towards the skatepark end. Lee gets clear of the Whites defence but as he gets into the 6 yard box ,for reasons known only to him, doesn't shoot but instead chooses a cross that's not really on and the chance has gone. Not the first time he has chosen to pass instead of shoot in recent weeks 🤷‍♂️. We are attacking the visitors but get dispossessed high up the pitch. The Barrowmen break quickly and make no mistake in finishing for their second on 34. Their third is another scruffy one on 44 after constant pressure on the Dockers goal.

Demas replaces Baillie Rogers at half-time. Bailey didn't look very happy about it when spotted later on. Callum drops into the left back position. Reedy replaces Tarin on 49. The Dockers are slowly starting to look a little more like themselves ,playing the ball form the back. It's difficult to workout who is playing where. It's looks like Jon might be in the 10 as Reedy replaced him at right back. The ball comes back to him just outside the box. He gets a shot in but unfortunately he gets a little underneath it 🚀and it lands halfway up Gibbon Road. Not getting that ball back. At least he had a go at the target. Toby Reader comes on for Luke Donaldson on 63. The Dockers are still trying to get back into it but being thwarted by the better team. Their fourth and thankfully final goal comes on 72. it's a great goal screaming into the top corner from outside the box. Take a bow whoever hit that. The Docker fail to reply and it's a relief when the whistle goes.

To summarize - it's over and time to go home. That was not nice to watch and couldn't have been more different to Tuesday night's very hard fought win. Nothing to win for the Dockers today as they have given up on the title and need to save some legs for the playoffs. Think Tranmere at Crawley in May 2019 where legs were rested for Wembley and we lost 3-1. Turned out alright in the end. The weather didn't help us today as the Dockers were trying long balls early on when the wind was gusting badly and making it impossible to kick the ball cross pitch towards the stand side stood. Any enthusiastic pass towards the river, nearly landed in it. What's "Please mister, can we have my ball back in French". The Dockers have got a bit of a rest now anyway with the sole remaining game at Hassocks in 2 weeks time.

POTM: Demas 🏆 worked hard down the right when he came on getting to the byline a few times so gets the nod today.

Officials deserve a mention for getting most things right and allowing the game to flow. 👍

Ferry watch: The Seven Sisters pulled in just before kick-off and left before the final whistle. We can see you sneaking out! ⛴ And we don't blame you.

Up next is and hopefully 4th time lucky 🤞, it's Horsham v Lewes. Or Lewes v Horsham if we decide to the that way inclined. Depends on the presence of Mr D Tuck. Whatever 🤷‍♂️ ,looking forward to the comfy seats.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾