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Newhaven FC v Seaford Town FC in the Steve Charman Cup at Ford Road |
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The Dockers host the Badgers in the 1st round of the Peter Bentley Cup. The visitors tonight are new promoted to the SCFL Premier League. We hope they become regulars in the league, it’s nice to have rivals especially now that Saltdean have been relegated. There is a good crowd at Fort Road with 271 turning up for the derby game. There is no sign of Herbie in the Badgers squad, hopefully he’s just away and not moved on. The team news is that Lee is on the bench. A hat-trick tonight would see him clock up 500 goals in his Dockers career. That would be some super sub performance. Fingers and paws crossed. Up front is Ezra with Teddy on the left and Pacey on the right. Behind them are Charlie, Captain Blunty, and Elliott. The back line looks a bit makeshift with forward Corey in the middle with Tom. Harry is on the left as usual with Scott Smith on the right. No sign of Osei or Tarun tonight. Ex-Docker, Maz Vardy is in central defence for Seaford. They look like a big physical side with plenty of height. The Dockers will need to play well to impose their own game on the floor to get the win today. No penalties please. It’s a school night.
It’s an uneventful first 20. Then Ezra breaks from the middle. He is pulled back outside the box and the defender doesn’t let go until inside the box. Penalty to Newhaven. Seaford are complaining but should maybe have a word with their own player who should have let go outside the box. Harry steps up and makes no mistake ⚽. 1-0. It's just a minute later with a great chance down the right. Harry cuts into the 6 yard box and chooses a square pass from a yard out. It’s really congested in front of goal and the chance has gone. Passing probably not the best choice from there. It’s a narrow lead at the break.
The Dockers continue to create good chances but the Badgers keeper is having a great game. The first change at 60 is Lee coming on to replace Pacey who has worked his socks off all cross and behind the front line. Can he get closer to the 500 target tonight? The visitors get a couple of chances but good goalkeeping and defending maintain the lead. Teddy is booked on 72 for being fouled and not moaning enough. He is replaced a couple of minutes later by Dexter. The Badgers best chance of the night is a free kick but it’s over the bar. Tristan replaces Charlie who has been playing more like a 10 than a centre half for a while. The Dockers continue to press for a 2nd. It comes with the last kick of the game as Lee makes it 2-0 and 498 club goals on 90+5 ⚽. Into the next round.
That was a good performance from the boys. Kept working at it against a tough side and a keeper having a great game. Lee is one goal closer to his 500. 2 to go. Harry should have had a second goal but chose to pass. Need to test the keeper at that range when the 6 yard box is so congested. An earlier second goal would have made it less nervy, sitting on a single goal lead risks a Tranmere style ending with the points shared after leading for so long. But, a win is a win and hopefully the start of another cup run. No penalties is a bonus. Home time.
POTM: Goes to Captain Blunty. Very combative and always looking to move forward.
The officiating was unremarkable except for the weird booking of Teddy who seems to be one of those players who gets fouled a lot and then booked for it to add insult to injury.
Ferry Watch: It glided into view at 8:50. Perfect timing.
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
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| Got the last programme |
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| Grass is looking good |
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| Mon the Dockers |
