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Newhaven FC host Peacehaven & Telscombe FC in the SCFL Premire League at The Sports Park |
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It’s Easter Monday so it’s derby day for the Dockers as they visit the Tye to play the Haven. There is more at stake than the usual pride as it’s also a 6 pointer today. The Dockers are 1 point behind the Haven with 2 games to play. Lose today and Newhaven finish below the Haven for the first time in the 5 years that we have been watching them. The Haven can make the play-offs with a win today. The Dockers are on a 9 game winning streak which has restored a bit of respectability to an otherwise poor season. The Sports Parks has had a big upgrade since we were last here. At least the pitch has been replaced with shiny new 3G. The stand is better too and the Haven Ultra’s have their own little stand behind the goal. There are about 15 of them. They’ve got plenty of flags and a drum. Doubt this place is a library. The comfy seats are still here. They apparently came from the Depot Cinema in Lewes. Thanks. They are lovely and comfy. The fence in front of the seats is worryingly low. The front row may not be the best choice. Probably good for a ball in the face. The guy next to us has a BIG rattle. Don’t tell Wookie, It’s massive. It could get noisy here. The Dockers are rolling out their R’s today with 2 Rogers and 3 Robinsons in the 11. Jonny is in goal. In front of him are Henry and Richmond. Bailie and Little Robbo are the full backs. In the middle are Charlie and Blunty. Up front are Jake and Alfie with Manni and Lee out wide. Will the game be as bad tempered as it usually is? Probably. It’s a derby so the form book goes out the window. Let's put these back below us in the league.
The Haven get the first chance on 6. Jonny saves it with his feet. Their next attack breaks down and the Dockers are away down the other end. Jake gets in a shot but hits the post. The Ultras are making their presence known. Making a good amount of noise. The “You’re s**t ahh” is unrelenting for Jonny. He is nearly caught out by a back pass. Not really a pass, more of a shot as he has to chest the ball to control it. There is a late tackle on Lee and big brother Jake runs over to have his say. The guilty Peacehaven player decides to go flying over. Ref not getting involved despite the feedback from the 5th official. It seems a medium level of violence is permissible today. The next Dockers chance falls to Manni, after a neat back heel from Jake, forcing a good save. We thought the football rattle was loud. He also has a cow bell. We may be deaf in one ear for a while after this match. Peacehaven come close but miss on 39. The Haven No. 5 is seeing zero of the ball when they have possession. None of them will pass to him. Is he unpopular, rubbish or both? Don’t care but it is funny. See the 5th Official for details. Jake goes down injured on 40 and is down for a few minutes. He is back up but injured and is subbed off for Sidders. Richmond moves across to RB and Sidders slot in in the middle. Lee moves across into the 9 and Little moves up to left wing. There are a couple more minutes but no goals. 0-0 at the break.
Lee gets the first half chance of the half. The Haven now start to take control and get a few chances and Jonny is called into action. The deadlock is finally broken on 57 as Haven score with a shot from outside the box through a crowd of bodies. It’s still pretty fiesty. from the Haven who are then throwing themselves down when tackled The Dockers get a corner on 65 and forced a save out of the Haven keeper. Time for Newhaven to make some changes. Warwick replaces Manni and Corey replaces Osei. The Haven double their lead from a tight angle on 79. 2-0. Long way back now. With time running out Alfie heads over on 85. Sums it up really, too many Dockers marginally off their game today. It’s nearly 3-0 on 90. The Dockers frustration starts to show as Little gets booked for an off the ball incident on 90+1. The Ultras don’t hold back. “Take your flags and go”. Thankfully, it’s all over on 90+6.
The Dockers will be very disappointed with today but the bubble of their 9 in a row has well and truly burst. It’s double bragging rights to Peacehaven. It feels like we never play well here. We had a lot of half chances but were trying too hard. Peacehaven were more focused and clinical with 3 chances and 2 goals. And a bit more physical. The sun almost came out on the 551 crowd. Or should that be 552 as the lino on the stand side was pretty much a spectator too. He wasn’t keeping up with the play. There is just one game left but there is nothing to play for. We’re going home deaf in one ear with no points. It’s a derby and these things happen. We’re back here for the next installment on Boxing Day. A lot of football to watch between now and then.
POTM: Goes to the Lino 🏅 on the far side for being the only official to not be shocking today.
The officials were not great today. These derbys are always feisty and need someone that can manage that. Ref got played and got way too much wrong. Probably just the most obvious of a number of poor performances out there.
The Scan’O’meter loved the hot chocolate 8.5/10. Yummy. Thanks.
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
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