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Newhaven FC away to Eastbourne United in the RUR Cup Semi-Final at the Oval |
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The Dockers are away to the U's in the Rifles Cup at Channel View Road. It's a new era for the Dockers, so maybe Dockers 2.0. There is no pressure, just a semi-final. The other semi-final has been postponed due to a frozen pitch but we're on the posh new 3G so none of that here. The Dockers were here just 2 weeks ago and lost 4-1 so we're expecting a tough game today. There has been a huge upgrade at the Oval since we were last here a year ago. It’s taken us that long to thaw out. It was so cold. Apparently the upgrade cost £1.2 million but it is very nice. Josh Tuck is back in the starting 11 replacing Henry. It's still hard to get any real idea of the shape that the Dockers are playing. Warwick is wearing the 7 but not playing on the wing. The U's have squad numbers which is unusual at this level. Pretentious Moi? Don't think that would work with the ever revolving Dockers.
The U's are straight at the Dockers defence. We could easily have been a goal down in 30 seconds. It doesn’t go in but the Dockers remain under pressure for a while. Jake creates a chance but no-one meets his low cross. Jake is involved again after a great move down the wing but he is denied by the post. The U’s breakthrough is denied by some last ditch Dockers defending. We get a bit of excitement as we think that the Tigers keeper, James Broadbent, has handled the ball outside the box. It’s not clear cut and the ref gives him the benefit of the doubt. He is probably a big Bridget Jones fan. Or maybe it’s Paddington. The Tigers are kept at bay until 20 when a fast break ends with the ball in the Dockers net. 1-0. They are made to wait until 38 for their second goal. It’s still 2-0 at the break. The Dockers need a good second half to take it to penalties now, And we need to be thankful that the deficit is not 6 or more. It could easily be over already. Hopefully the ref will change ends at half time and we’ll get a few decisions after he’s had a quick nap and a cup of tea.
There is a substitution at the break as Kobi is replaced by Kwabs. The Dockers are putting up a better scrap this half. It's a much more even battle. The U’s no. 16 is probably the most shouty player we have ever seen. He just won’t shut up. No leadership like that in the Dockers. Tuck tries to give the ref some polite feedback, gets booked and sent to the sin bin for his troubles. But he doesn’t leave the pitch. Very odd. He is very wisely for subbed for Clarke-Salter on 64. The Dockers make some more changes to try to get back into it. Connell replaces Rohilla. Another ten minutes and Lee is replaced by Dexter-Lambert on 74. The last change is Johnson on for Ben Royall. on 81. The changes have the wrong effect as the U’s score on 85 (3-0) and 86 (4-0) to finish the Dockers off. We think we have a consolation goal scored by Warwick as his diving header puts Johnson’s cross into the net only for it to be ruled out for offside. We are hoping that the mist gets heavier so the match is abandoned but it doesn’t and it isn’t. 4-0. Bugger.
Gutted to have got so close and not make it to the final but it wasn’t close tonight. The new era starts with a battering with the 4-0 scoreline flattering the losers. It should have been more. It was an ok performance at times but the defending was dreadful. Becoming a bit of a habit! Perhaps the defence is missing the motivation of incurring the wrath of Bussy to keep them on their toes. The U’s were 10 times as vocal as the Dockers and it paid off tonight. Well organised and loads of leaders on the pitch sees the U’s through to the final. At least it wasn’t Baltic tonight as losing always makes it feel a bit colder. It’s back to league action for the stumbling Dockers. We’ll hopefully be at Saltdean on Tuesday for some more ups and downs.
POTM: Hard to pick with such a poor performance but Jake gave us hope so gets the prize 🏅.
The refereeing was not the best. Very inconsistant except when it came to giving everything to the host and nothing to the visitors.
The Scan’O’meter loved the Nachos 7/10 and the hot chocolate was great too 8/10.
Will we be at Plough Lane on Saturday, probably not after the ridiculously aggressive stewarding there last time.
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
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| The Oval |
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| Cheeky Nachos |
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| The boys |
