Let It Lee

Newhaven FC host AFC Varndeanians in the SCFL Premier Division at Ford Road

The Dockers ⚓ are finally back at home and host the V’s in the league. It’s nice to be back in BN9.  The end of summer is nearly here and it’s cooler by the Ouse tonight. Let’s hope the improving Dockers can continue to build into a good team. It’s going well so far.  There are a few changes tonight. Teddy starts in place of Dexter on the right wing. Tom Howard-Bold is in Blunty’s spot in the 8 and Charlie in the 10 replacing Corey Smart. There is no sign of Blunty tonight. Hope he’s just on his holibobs having a nice time and not injured. We’ve not seen the V’s for a couple of years so are interested to see them in action. After all, the last team to live at the Withdean is doing OK. We’ve have some musical accompaniment tonight as the V’s ‘Ultras’ have a drum 🥁. There is some last minute confusion as there is a change of ends.  The 'Ultras' pack up their flags and head for the Skate Park end.  For the last game of summer, let's do this.  Come on you Dockers. 

There wasn’t much of note in the first half hour except a few Dockers missed chances.  On 31 minutes. Ezra hits a long ball, Lee gets between the ball and the last defender, controls it and puts it past the helpless keeper ⚽. That's what we came for. 1-0. With 5 to go to the break, Ezra sees his shot saved and then Lee’s is blocked. The hosts are still only a single goal in front at the break. Hope they don’t come to regret that in the 2nd half 🙏.

The Dockers come close extending their lead at the restart but neither Teddy or Harry can make it count. Need to extend the lead before the V’s get a chance to get back into it. The 2nd goal eventually comes on 62. A Dockers free kick is blocked but goes high, the keeper fumbles it in the 6 yard box and it’s somehow bundled into the net ⚽. It may have been Tarun. He gets the credit and it’s 2-0 to the home team. A few of the V's players and fans are giving Father Jack a hard time about off-side bur we really don’t care. He's not going to change his mind. The changes start on 65 as Ash is replaced at left back by Bailieeeeee 😍 . There are a few signs of life from the V’s but they can’t make it count. The Ultras start singing Sway of all things. Bless ‘em. JD running down the wing.  We hope he's that far out of position as JD is the no. 9.  There are some more changes as Charlie is replaced by Corey in the 10. Charlie has had a great game, very commanding, and shouty but in a good way, in the middle and a good leader on the pitch. The 3rd goal is another Lee special. The keeper comes out of his area for a bouncing through ball but misses it. Lee doesn’t and chips it home in style. Never mind the stand, name the town after him. Robboville? Leehaven? Big-ton? It’s all over on the pitch as far as the result in concerned but the Ultra don’t care. Teddy is replaced by Dexter. Lee is replaced Billy the whizz. Tarun is replaced by Smith and then it’s all over. 3-0 to the Dockers. A good night's work from the boys.

A great win for the Dockers. They were more in control than we have seen them recently. It’s starting to gel a bit more as they get into the season and are playing back to back games. It was a good away away at Cobham at the weekend that put them through to the 2nd qualifying round of the Vase where they will face Faversham Strike Force (sounds scary) at home in September. Robbo is very much at the heart of the attack. He is so good at getting himself between the defender and the ball. Hopefully others will continue to chip in with goals as well. Teddy and Ezra starting to look more confident. This young team can only get better if it stays together. That is it for the Summer ☀. A busy Autumn 🌦 of football starts here next week. Can’t wait.

POTM: goes to Captain, or should that now be General, Lee . Amazing energy, fantastic goals and a brilliant example for the rest of the boys.

Ferry ⛴ watch: The ferry crept im a 9:20 hoping no-one would notice it was late. We did notice. A stiff letter to DFDS is being penned as we speak.

Today, we are starting a new feature called “Utterly Ultra” Here it is:- The 15 or so youngsters  with the V's were fantastic today. Really did their club proud with the drum and the massive repertoire of songs. They stayed right to the death despite the 3 goal deficit. Awesome effort lads. Sway safe.

 The officials tried to let the game flow and yet still stop the players killing each other. Always difficult to do and they did reasonably well.   Father Jack did ok on the line on the stand side. Seems he is up for a cheeky selfie too. A few of the V’s players and fans were very upset about the 2nd goal but it was bedlam in the box. Who could tell what was going on or who did what. The ref maybe needs to get some Maths tuition though. For every free kick, he got to 9 ½ yards but couldn’t get all the way to 10 so the wall was 18 inches too close for every free kick. It’s not like he has to take his boots off to count to 10. He’s got 10 fingers. (If the ref has less than 10 fingers, we sincerely apologise and "As you were" mate).

Same time, same place next week

Love Tranmerkat 🐾

It's nice to be home

Mon the Reds

Down Town

Tranmere Rovers visit Crawley Town FC in EFL2 at the Peoples Pension Stadium

The Rovers are away to the ‘Red Devils for the 4th league game of the season. Form has been mixed so far but we are unbeaten in 90 minutes. Andy Crosby’s whites were knocked out of the League Cup by Burton losing on penalties. Since we lat saw the Rovs at Colchester, they have beaten Shrewsbury 4-0 and drawn with Gillingham at home. There are some changes to the squad as old favourite Ethan Bristow gets a start. Love a speedy full back. Charlie Whitaker replaces Connor up front. Crawly have had a dreadful start to the season and it would be 100% Tranmere if we allow the hosts to turn that around today. We came for the Pizza so lets stay for the football. We’ve met a few old friends and checked out the new away fan park behind the South Stand. Up the flippin' Tranmere.

Both teams get early chances. Omari gets a couple more but it’s scrappy and broken up with lots of fouls. Crawley get the best chances in the last 10 and should be leading going into the break.

It starts scrappy but Tranmere are gradually starting to get a bit of control. We get a couple of corners. Nathan Smith heads in the 2nd at the far post on 56 ⚽. Omari on the assist. There are more corners but it stays 1-0. The changes start after an hour. Connor replaces Josh up front. There are more on 73 as Taylan, Jason and Jordan replace Charlie, Nohan and Ethan. Our nerves are finally settled on 80 as Omari makes it 2-0 from the edge of the box ⚽. There are a few home fans leaving but all credit to most who are staying put. Omari gets a round of applause as he goes of to be replaced by Sol. It’s not pretty for the last 10.  The hosts get a few corners and could easily get one back at the death. They don’t and it’s a 2-0 win on the road for the Whiles. Whoop!

A win on the road continues the unbeaten run. We weren’t at all convincing in the first half but turned it around in the second. The SWA were great all the way through, Swaying down the wings with Omari and washing it down with Tequila. Crawley have 1 point from their first 5 games and it’s their worst start to a season for 15 years. Oopsy. It was an assist and a goal for Omari who is starting the season really well. It was good to see Sol again. It's been 4 years since we watched him put 2 past the Dockers at Ford Road. He’s got a way to go to be a starter and needs to be better without the ball but he’s young and popular and got his own song. Hopefully the Whites can build on this performance. It’s been a really positive start to the season. It wasn’t completely convincing display but then we're not really realistically expecting to set the league on fire this season. A steady building season is what we need. Tranmere are the only league team to have finished in a worst position for the last 5 consecutive seasons. The only way is up from there.

POTM: Omari for the assist and the goal. When he scores he scores. And the Tranmere sing.

Scan’O’meter thought the pizza was as good as ever. Still the benchmark at 10/10. A pity we didn’t know about the new fan park and sat eating it on the kerb. Did Tim ever finish that sausage roll. We’ll ask him at Bromley. No cans of drink were allowed to be taken in. Funny how the rules change between men's and women's football at some grounds but not others. The Broadfield and the AMEX for example.

Back here soon for the start of the WSL season

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

The Boys are back at Town

It's a good watch (in parts)

Rec'n'Ball

Newhaven FC away to Liile Common Gatwick FC in the SCFL Premier Division at Little Common Recreation Ground

The Dockers ⚓ face the Green Lane Boys on a warmish but breezy evening at the Rec. The Newhaven are rested after a weekend off and looking to add to their 4 points from the first two games with a first away win. The Dockers 3.0 is definitely a work in progress with a very young line up this season but there is loads of potential in the squad. There is just one change form last Tuesday and that’s Dexter who is not in the squad tonight being replaced by Pacey Bean. Hope he’s as speedy as he sounds. The Greenies (that’s not funny) have yet to register any points so far. Long may that continue, well another 90 minutes plus stoppages would do. That’s the kind of duck that Tranmere are so good at breaking. The pitch is looking really good. There is a slight slope across the width but the grass looks excellent especially considering the weather recently. Lets hope it plays well. Come on you Dockers.

The Common start the brighter but their first threat is a corner that goes straight out for a goal kick. What follows is not pretty with about 15 minutes of scrappy head tennis. The first bit of real quality comes from the Dockers and it's Lee as usual. This time, it’s a lovely chip to find the head of Corey Smart at the far post. He heads it in on 23 ⚽. 0-1. A very Bailie’esque leap for the header. The GLB (better) get their first real chance from a free kick. They are denied by a great save from Roman. The Dockers get one more chance but it’s Ezra’s turn to be denied by a good save. Newhaven are the better team with the ball but they can’t manage to keep it for long enough. A single goal lead at the break.

The first chance of the half went to the Dockers who seethe goal chalked off for a foul on the keeper. Fair? Probably. Robbo has swapped positions with Ezra, who is now more central. We see the first change on 56 as Pacey Bean is replaced by Teddy Wood who comes on for his Dockers debut. We’ve seen him before somewhere and will remember just after we post this report. The Common are improving and see a chance deflected over as the Dockers are defending well at the edge of the box. Robbo gets a good chance on 65 but the keeper gets the luck of the bounce to make the save. It’s 15 to go when one of the Green Laners (improving) goes off. It looked like a second yellow but turns out it's a sin bin. See you in 10 minutes. The Dockers are having to soak up a lot of pressure but are sitting deep and defending well. In the best move so far, Teddy plays a through ball to Ezra There’s no off-side as he sets off from his own half. He runs on unchallenged and beats the keeper from 12 yards ⚽. Great goal. 0-2. Another Breachy change sees Corey Smart replaced by Tariq Vincent. Lee has done his bit and is replaced by Tommy Jupp on the wing. The sinbin is over and it’s 11 v 11 again. Into injury time and another best move of the game sees Teddy break free of the press. He runs round the whole of the Common team, then cuts in to finish from the edge of the box. It’s a quality strike too. 0-3. It’s all over except it isn’t. There are 2 more Dockers changes as Billy Oliver replaces Ezra and Scott Smith is on for Harry Hammond. How fast to Billy Oliver. Blimey. Billy the whizz more like. 90+5 and the Common score with the last kick of the game. It’s well deserved as they have been dominant for the last 15 or so minutes. All that practice from the Ultras pretending they scored and then they missed the real thing. Three points on the road well earned tonight.

The beautiful game that wasn’t. It was horrible as everyone suddenly forgot how to play football and just headed it backwards and forwards.  When the ball did come down, it usually got smashed back straight into the air. Lots of shouts of “time” but no-one listening. There were some very brief flashes of skill, mostly from Newhaven and they resulted in goals. Common did have one moment and it took a good save to stop the free kick but that was it. Three good goals from the Dockers with nothing much in between. Disappointing to conceded at the death but it was well deserved by the battling home team and almost hugely funny. The “Ultras” had packed up and were leaving when their team scored. All that practise wasted. Better luck next time lads or maybe wait until the whistle has gone.

POTM: Almost went to Ezra who had a great game but he was pipped in injury time by Teddy with a brilliant individual goal. He had that great assist too. Welcome young man. Can’t wait to see some more of those performances.  If only we could remember where we have seen him before 🤔.

The officials were generally grown up and consistent for 90 minutes which is an improvement on last week. We did worry about the speed of the lino on the far side but there was no issues, mostly because all the play was in the middle.

The Scran’O’meter recorded a very nice 7.5 for the hot chocolate. Credit too to Cadburys for the assist.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Away at the Common

I Won't Back Crawley Down

Newhaven FC away to Crawley Down Gatwick FC in the SCFL Premier Division at Haven Sportsfield

The Dockers are away to the Anvils at Hophurst Lane on a warm and humid evening in darkest Mid Sussex. It’s our first competitive game with the Dockers this season. They were knocked out of the FA cup away to South Park but then beat Roffey at home in the first league game. Lots of new faces that we can put some names to now the season is underway. Lee is ever present up front with Ezra and new boy Dexter Lambert. Some familiar faces in the back line too with Richmond Osei alongside Tarrun Rohilla and another new face, Elliot Bresciani as the covering 6 in front. Retainee Ash Wadhams and new starter Harry Hammond are our wide defenders. In the middle is Ryan Blunt and Corey Smart. Roman is in goal. The grass on the pitch is, well, it’s not a bowling green, but there are no bald patches. It is a nice setting, surrounded by trees behind the community centre. There are planes taking off from Gatwick going past every couple of minutes. It’s a bit more frequent and noisier than the ferry. It’s time to get on with it. Come on you Dockers.

The Dockers get the first chance but Lee heads just over. It’s all the Anvils for a while. Roman makes a good save but is beaten soon after. The Anvils get a free kick at about 30 years out. It hits the one man wall. The next free kick from the same range hit the one man wall again. How did they manage that once, let alone twice. A shot from the edge of the area hits the back of the net and the hosts are 1-0 up going into the drinks break. It’s still quite warm here. I don’t know what the Dockers were drinking but it works and we start to come into the game. There are a host of chances as Lee hits the post, Lee heads over and Dexter sees his shot saved only for Lee to put the rebound just wide. The Anvil do get a 3rd go at trying to get a free kick past the wall. This time, it loops way over the one man wall and everyone else. Dockers are in control and it’s Dexter's turn to put it wide now. Lee is fouled as he runs into the box on 44. The ref doesn’t hesitate to give a pen. Lee steps up to take it but it’s low and is well saved. How are we not 3 or 4 goals up now? Bonkers. The equaliser eventually comes on 45+1 after a scramble in the Anvil’s box. Lees’s shot is saved but the ball finds Dexter in space and he hits the target at last ⚽. The whistle goes and we’re off for a quick drinks break of our own. And maybe a quick lie down after that.

There’s a Dockers change at the break as Charlie Gibson replaced Elliot Bresciani in defence. The Anvils come out a better side. They start to bully the Dockers who are second to the ball and can’t keep hold of it when they do get it. The pressure leads to a couple of Anvils corners. The second is headed in at the near post on 48. 2-1. Dockers trailing again. Tarun is booked on 58 for having the audacity to get fouled. It’s a nasty one too and he goes off to be replaced by Leo Charman. The Dockers first chance since the break comes on 57. Ezra takes the free kick. He hits the target but it’s saved. A second Dockers change on 65 as goal scorer Dexter Lambert is replaced by Tariq Vincent. The Anvils come so close to extending their lead but it rolls just wide. Phew. The Anvils seem stronger and more determined, out muscling the Dockers all over the pitch. The Dockers need to be better to be able to play around them but it’s not happening at the moment. In the first Dockers move for ages, two passes out from the back and Lee runs onto the through ball, rounds the keeper and slots home on 75 ⚽. At last he is on the score sheet. 2-2. All to play for in the last 15 . Some hope. The Dockers find themselves under siege and only some desperate defending keeps the ball out. Ezra gets a good chance down the other end as Lee turns provider but he drags his shot wide. The refereeing is starting to impact the game with the Anvils starting to roll around like they have been shot and getting free kicks from nothing. The ref falls for it so badly, that we are tempted to see if he wants to buy a bridge. We think better of it, mostly because he might actually take us up on the offer and we don’t actually have a bridge to sell him 🌉. Blunty becomes a beneficiary of the ref's wisdom as stands his ground and the attacker runs into him. He should clearly have got out of the way and is booked for not doing so. We make a last change on 90+1 as Tommy Jupp replaced Ash Wadhams. There is one more chance for the hosts but the desperate Dockers hang on desperately. 2-2. The points shared and a fair result in a game of 2 halves. Downs were very unlucky not to have won it at the end but inherited Docker's bad luck from early in the first half.

The new look Dockers struggled tonight against a team with a much more settled line up. There were huge holes in the defence especially after the break. Without Lee, there would have been very little threat. But they had enough chances to put it to bed in the first half. How they didn't score 3 or 4 is a mystery. Some good play down the wings from Ezra and Dexter. The fighting spirit on display despite being second best was good to see. The Dockers 2.0, or are we up to 3 0, is a work in progress that shows some promise. It was our first time here tonight and it's a nice little ground and great for a bit of plane spotting. Thankfully, we didn't have to keep an eye on the Tranmere score tonight as it was called off due to a power cut across much of CH32. The Dockers have no game at the weekend, it’s FA Cup week and we’re not in that any more. Next up is a trip to Bexhill to visit Little Common.

POTM: Richmond gets the award 🏅 for some great one on one defending and becoming the long throw specialist.

The officials did well for much of the game but got less “consistent” later in the game. Anyone know where we can get a cheap bridge, we may have a buyer?

The Scran’O’meter thought the hot chocolate needed a bit of work so gave it 6/10 but they redeemed themselves by keeping the chocolate in the fridge🧊. Genius. Thank you.

See you soon.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Home of the Anvils

Alive and Chicken

Tranmere Rovers visit Colchester United in EFL2 at the JobServe Community Stadium

Football is back again. It’s the first game of the EFL season and we’re at Colchester where the Rovers face the Eagles. It’s been 3 months since we last watched the whites on that fantastic day in Newport. It’s not as sunny today with clouds and a few spits of rain. We’re in a big crowd. It’s filling up behind the goal and over 700 SWA are expected. There are a few familiar faces in the squad. Luke is still in goal, whoop. There are still 3 at the back with Jordan Turnbull alongside old favourite, Lee O’Connor and great new signing Nathan Smith. Storming Cameron Norman is on the right wing with new boy Patrick Brough on the left. Exciting news is that, fan favourite, Nathan Bristow is back at the Whites although he is not in the squad today. There are two good new signings in the middle with new captain Richie Smallwood alongside youngster and Liberian international Nohan Kenneh. Across the front are Oh Mar Reeee Patrick, Josh Davison and "O-E-O" Connor Jennings. There are a few more old faces along with some new ones that we’ll hopefully see as the season goes on. The club seems to be in chaos off the pitch but inside the bubble of Andy Crosby’s SWA, it’s all looking quite hopeful. Lets hope the Rovers can bring it home for the 700 SWA today.

A scrappy first 10 with chances for Lee O’Connor and Josh blocked. The Rovers get a couple of corners. The first is headed over by Smith. The second is flicked on by the head of Norman to find the foot of Connor. Into the net it goes on 15 ⚽. 1-0 to the Whites. Top of the league sing the SWA who have just checked the league table. Someone ring Rick Parry and get the league abandoned now before anyone else scores. Tranmere continue to get chances and corners but it’s down the other end so it’s difficult to see how close we are getting to a second. The Eagles get a couple of chances in the last 5 minutes but it’s the Rovers in the lead at the break. Hope we don’t come to regret those missed chances. It’s also an opportunity for a breather for the SWA who have been very noisy. The whole stand feels like it’s swaying at times. It hasn’t stopped more than a few from going early for a beer and watching the last few minutes of the half through exit, bottle in hand 🍺.

Tranmere are still looking to push on in the first 10. The changes start with Danny Cowley blinking first. He gets it right and it’s more even now. There are a flurry more changes at the hour mark as Josh makes way for Kristian and Omari for Luton Town loanee Taylan Harris. Cowley also makes a couple more changes for the home side. Starting to feel he has a little bit more depth available for changes than Andy’s recently built Rovers squad. Danny is a class manager at this level. Shame he's getting it today. Connor makes way for Sol with 20 to play. The quality of the Eagles changes is starting to tell as they are threatening to score. Ten to go and Nohan, who has just been booked is replaced by experienced arrivee from Port Vale, Jason Lowe. The pressure eventually tells as sub Lisbie scores on 87. Poo. The Whites dig in to prevent a second and the points are shared.

For a short while then, we literally top of the league. It didn’t last. That early goal rasing expectations. We could have had more but it’s a long long season and we are just starting to build so it's not a bad start. It was an uncomfortable watch.  Not because of the football but the broken seats being a pain in the bum. A fantastic turn out for the SWA as this is such an out of the way place.  It’s a good fun trip out with the Whites. Not the usual scorchio of the first game of the season but we know how cold it can get here so we’re not complaining. Danny Cowley has a fantastic record in this league and we will have learned a few things today. A good start for Andy Crosby’s Super White Army. Tranmere are in Crawley in 2 weeks so we’ll see you there.

POTM: It’s hard to pick as the team are just starting to work well together so it goes to Andy Crosby, King of the SWA.

Scran’o’meter enjoyed the Maccies breakfast from Clackett Lane. Bottle were sold in the ground with top on. 😲

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

No summer sun today