|
Newhaven FC host Hailsham Town FC in a pre-season friendly at Fort Road |
|
The Dockers ⚓ host the Stringmen at the Trafalgar Ground in the third pre-season friendly. The second was on Saturday and we drew 2-2 with New Milton. The Stringers are a different level of opposition being 2 leagues below. We’ve only got one lino so a succession of the visitors players will be running the line on the stand side. Good for them. Any advantage they may inadvertently get will be well deserved. It’s very quiet in the ground. Except for the new tannoy system. There are a few in the stand but it’s empty round the pitch side. Can’t be more than 50 here. There was a much bigger crowd last week but it was nice weather for standing round the pitch with a cold beer. It’s a lot colder tonight and threatening to rain. The players come out and line up, the tannoy blares out the welcomes and we’re off almost on time. Come on you Dockers 🎉.
The Dockers are attacking the Skate Park end and open the scoring on 10 as the Hailsham keeper shouts “keepers” as the ball comes into the 6 yard box. He tries to catch the ball but drops the at the feet of Blunty who accepts the kind offer and beats the defender to toe poke it in ⚽. 1-0. The Dockers No. 10 who we think is called Bill is everywhere, good with his feet and good pace. He gets his reward on 23 after a good run and quick 1-2 then runs into the box. His shot from wide beats the keeper at the near post ⚽. 2-0. The visitors are still in it and a goal back on 25 is only avoided by a great last gasp tackle by the Dockers No.5 inside the box. No important third goal for them. Instead it goes to the Dockers on 35. Lee runs clean through the defense and scores from inside the box ⚽. 3-0. The Hailsham defenders are complaining to their team mate who is running the line. He is very fair and advises them that Lee was offside just before but checked back just in time. He’s right too. No point in cheating in a friendly, they are expecting to lose but gaining great experience against a much better team. Dockers are pressing and get a corner on 36. It comes to nothing though. The Dockers fourth comes on 40 as the nifty No.11 is fouled as he runs into the box. Lee makes no mistake from the spot as he scores his 2nd of the night. 4-0. Lee turns provider now as he plays a neat pass across the box to No.10 who can't miss from the middle of the goal on 40 ⚽. The visitors have had a single chance in a half that finishes 5-0 at 45 with no added time.
The second half starts with a number of changes on both sides. Robbo has gone off, as has Blunty but the 10 and 11 are still on the pitch. A couple of changes in defence too,. The visitors are getting a bit more of the ball now. We don’t have to wait long for a Dockers goal. The new left back No. 18, who we think is called Chris, makes a great run wide and deep before pulling it back to the No.10. He scores his 2nd and the Dockers 6th from the middle of the box on 52 ⚽. 6-0. The Hailsham keeper makes a fantastic save on 57 as the Dockers No.19 blasts from range only to see it just tipped over the bar. The resulting corner comes to nothing. The Dockers are soon attacking again though No.11 who makes a great individual run and finish on 59 ⚽. 7-0. Hailsham finally get their first corner on 63. It comes to nothing and the Dockers are straight down the other end getting corner themselves. It finds the head of the big Dockers centre back No.12 and it’s in the net on 65. 8-0. Hailsham concede a corner on 68 as the keeper tries to stop the ball when he should be letting it go out for a goal kick. He fumbles it and gives away a corner. Another Dockers corner that comes to nothing. So does the next one as it’s a great catch from the keeper. He’s having a slightly better half, just. We go 10 minutes without a goal and then the best goal of the game comes. No.11 makes a great run down the right wing, cuts back in and fires it into the net from outside the box on 79 ⚽. Boom 🚀. 9-0. Yet another Dockers corner comes to nothing. Into the last minute and No.18 hits a great curling shot from inside the box ⚽. 10-0 and it stays that way.
Well that was fun. We hadn’t realised that Hailsham were in the SCFL 2nd Division which is two leagues below the Dockers. What was impressive about them was their mentality. They played it like the training session that it was, from the first minute to the last. They were competitive but never distracted from the task by the scoreline. There were no tantrums or heads down. A great group. We wish them well for the new season. The Dockers looked good in places and are starting to gel better. Also a few players are starting to stand out. Not sure of names yet but it was No’s 10, 11 and 18. Bailey is going to have some competition at left back. The game will help build some fitness and teamwork and the result will help build some confidence. Some relationships are starting to build too. It’s looking good for the rebuilt Dockers. Not sure how many more of the pre-season games we will get to. Hopefully a few. Can’t wait for the season to start and hopefully a more settled line-up so we can learn some names.
POTM: is awarded to No.10 🏅who played both halves and showed great skill and fitness, working well with Robbo and scoring 2 goals. Well done Bill.
The officials, and un-officials, did well. A good balance of letting the game flow and keeping a bit of discipline. Saying that, it was a very good tempered game. A special mention to the un-officials, the Hailsham players, for running the line and making a great job of it.
Ferry watch ⛴: The Seven Sisters was already docked and remained so throughout the game. Need to check the timetable.
The Scran’O’meter was a bit disappointed with the hot chocolate today which was a little gritty. Poor show from Cadbury so only 6/10 today.
See you soon.
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
 |
| Fortress Road |
 |
| Seven Sisters in parked up |
