Newhaven v Steyning

Billy Punt! Newhaven FC play Steyning Town Community FC in the PB Cup Semi-Final at Middle Road

Where are we and what’s going on?

A new ground

The Dockers face the Barrowmen at the home of Shoreham FC. The clocks changed at the weekend so we are being treated to a lovely sunset before the kickoff. It’s cool and still but the clouds are looking threatening. As if facing the league leaders isn’t enough of a challenge! The Dockers have showed a little more consistency in recent games. Fingers crossed that it carries into today.

A fantastic sunset

Newhaven are the home team today so are in red with the Barrowmen in away Blue. There is a change in goal from Saturday with Jonny returning. Dan and Eliot are in the middle with Rudy on the left and Richmond on the right. Richmond is making his 50th appearance for the Dockers. He is a favourite of ours so we hope he adds another POTM to his collection tonight. Harry drops to the bench. Charlie is in the 6 with Shay moving up to the 8. Or maybe it’s a double pivot whatever that is? The rest is the same with Blunty is the 10 with Lee in front in the 9. Teddy is on the right with Ezra on the left.

The team news

There is a familiar face on the bench for the Barrowmen. It’s the young ex-Dockers striker, Alex Plummer.

The sun is setting in the West and also potentially on our Cup runs for this season. It could go horribly wrong but, we are here in hope. We have a good feeling after the Dockers performance on Saturday. The Barrowmen have won every game on the mainland this year having only lost to Guernsey away. Let’s hope this is the end of that run. Here we go. Come on you Dockers.

Off We Go..

The first chance goes to the Dockers attacking the East end in front of us. Blunty can’t capitalise though and it’s gone. Shame, an early goal would have been nice.

Steyning are now keeping the ball well and looking dangerous on the break. They have a couple of chances before scoring from a fast break on 15. 0-1. Too easy. 🤷

They double their lead on 19 from a corner. Jonny gets finger tips on it but only deflects it onto the head of the striker at the far post. 0-2. This could be a very long night indeed 🤦.

The Steyning Ultras behind Jonny are making a good noise, getting behind their team.

But the Dockers start to dig in and defend. There is just a single decent chance each way. Ezra can’t convert for the Dockers and Steyning hit over. Despite our early fears, it’s just a 2 goal deficit at the break. Phew!

The Barrowmen make a change at the break with, familiar face, Alex Plummer coming on for the goal scorer, Marcus Allen.

The Dockers are much more aggressive when they come back out. The chances come and go from Shay, Ezra and Rudi. A goal now would make it a very different game. Just need a bit more composure. And probably a bit of luck 🍀.

It turns scrappy again with the Docker hampering the Barrowmen’s usual free-scoring style. Eliot is booked for a desperate challenge. Taking one for the team but gives away a free-kick in a dangerous area. Relief from us at it goes just wide.

The Dockers start to make changes on 65. It’s Ash for Teddy with Ezra swapping to the right wing. Then Tom for Charlie in front of the defence. Charlie has done a good job but Tom’s experience will help us maintain our solidity.

Jonny is called into action and makes a great save on 71.

The rest of the changes happen on 75 as Shay, Ezra and Richmond are replaced by Harley, Billy and Harry.

To the surprise of no-one at all, Tom is booked for a bad tackle. The physio fixes the player up with a bit of magic spray. The Barrowmen get a free kick that thankfully skims just wide.

The Dockers young ultras are singing 🎵how shit must you be, it’s only 2 nil🎵. Love them. Hope it’s not tempting fate though.

We’re in to 4 added minutes.

We have our heads in our hands as Billy meets Ash’s low cross. His touch is awful and he hits the ball well over from just 2 yards out. What a miss. 🤦 That would have really shaken up the last 3 minutes.

But it wasn’t be although we stayed in it until the end. A night to move on from without worrying about it too much.

Playing under the lights in Shoreham

We think it’s all over..

We came in hope rather than expectation. It’s not the result that we hoped for but better than we expected. Especially early on 😱. It’s a performance that the young (mostly) Dockers should be proud of. The Barrowmen have had a great season and have been free scoring, often scoring 5 or more. That they were held to just 2 goals  tonight is a great credit to the Dockers. The second half was more confident than the first. No-one would have been surprised if the 2 early goals had turned into a hat full. But it didn’t. A goal back would have made it very exciting especially near the end. Billy must be absolutely gutted that he hit it so far over the bar from so close in. Silly Billy. Soz. Other than that, we never really looked like scoring.

A better pitch might have prompted a better game of football. How that would have impacted the result we don’t know but both teams play on 3G pitches at home.

The weather stayed nice despite the threatening clouds. It was still, dry and not too cold.

It was good to meet Russell Bromage in the 2nd half. He knows the Tucks well from his time working at Brighton. And knows the Legend that is Micky Mellon from when they were both at Bristol City. He also worked with ex Brighton, Worthing and Docker, Jake Robinson while at Brighton.

That’s our cup ambitions over for another season. It could have been worse. We are now back to concentrating on the league and pushing into the playoff places. The Easter weekend fixtures are up next so see you soon.

The Other Bits

POTM: It was a good team performance but it has to go to a defender. Our choice is Eliot Bresciani 🏅 for a solid game at the heart of the defence. Well done .

Officially opinionated: We had only just commented that the ref, who was unusually wearing glasses, that he had already been to Specsavers 👓. Then it suddenly became apparent that he hadn’t 🦯. It didn’t get any worse and he generally did well. A little moaning from both sides is often a good sign. There were enough offsides to prove that both the assistants were awake. There were mistakes at the end. Tiredness? The ref stopped play for an injury after the ball had gone out only to have the keeper point out that the ball had stopped a foot short of the touchline. Opps. Dropped ball it is then.

The Scran’O’meter rated the hot chocolate a warm and wet 6.5/10.

Programme Perusal: The free programme is cheap and cheerful. Contains what is needed about the match. Thanks👍 8/10.

See you so you at Easter 🥚🐤🐰.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

A fantastic sunset

A new ground

The team news

Playing under the lights in Shoreham

Newhaven v Godalming

Godalming'ing in the Rain  Newhaven FC visit Godalming Town FC in the Peter Bentley Cup at the Bill Kyte Stadium

Where are we and What’s going on?

The Dockers are away to the ‘G’s at Wey Court in the ¼ final of the PB Cup. The ‘G’s, really? The Mingers surely? Anyway, the G’s play in the SCFL Division 1. That’s a league below the Dockers but they must have something about them to be in a ¼ final. It’s a horrible night in darkest Surrey . It was very wet earlier but wasn’t bad when we arrived. It’s raining hard now. The pitch inspection earlier gave it the go ahead. I don’t think anyone is quite so sure now. The teams are up on the board. Full marks to the man who knelt in the rain, writing them up. Roman is in goal with Eliot Bresciani and Leo (Hightower) Charman in front of him. Arthur Rawlinson is on the right and our favorite Richmond Osei on the left. Tom, Shay and Blunty are the 6, 8 and 10. Up front are Lee Robbo (centre), Ezra Roeg (left) and Billy Oliver (right). The G’s look good in their very bright yellow shirts with blue shorts. They have a bit of height in the team especially at the back. Let’s hope the Dockers can play on the floor. Let’s hope that anyone can play on the pitch in this weather.

The teams walk out in the pouring rain. I don’t think anyone wants to play. Let’s hope it gets going and that it stays going. And that it finishes in 90 minutes. No-one wants penalties on a school night. Or in a monsoon. Just hope we don’t need the RNLI at any point. The sooner we get started, the sooner it’s over. Come on you Dockers!

Off We Go..

The Dockers kick off and it’s a well organised set piece with all 3 forwards on the left. It’s a great plan until the ball is hit down the middle.

There are a couple of very early sliding tackles as players make the most of the conditions. It’s hard to control the slide in this mud and Tom is booked for being a big feisty. It’s clearly difficult to control the ball on the soft pitch in the wind and rain.

The first sight of goal goes to the hosts but it’s off target. It’s not pretty but the G’s look like a capable team. Blunty puts the first Dockers chance wide. Newhaven are starting to find their feet in the conditions (literally). A cross from Ezra across the box is missed by someone but someone else intercepts it and pops it in the net on 16 ⚽. It turns out that it was Lee who got the decisive touch. 0-1.

There is some very scrappy football being played as players on both sides as they struggle to predict and control the ball. And their feet. The G’s miss a great chance as their striker's control lets him down. It needs a goal line clearance from Blunty to maintain the lead.

The Dockers get a couple chances. Arthur puts the first over. Billy scores when the keeper plays it straight to him on 35 ⚽. 0-2. Thanks mate.

The ever important 3rd goal goes to the Dockers as Lee makes it 2 for him on 40 ⚽. 0-3. It’s horrible out there, shame we can’t call it now.

Billy almost makes it 4 on 45 but the hosts keeper finally makes a save. Took his time but he got there. To be fair, it’s ridiculously slippy in the goal and the wind and rain are right in his face. The whistle goes for the break and everyone is half way off before the whistle finishes. Hope they got a dry kit to put on.

The hosts kick off and put it straight out for a goal kick. Not sure that was the plan. Wonder how that went in training?

As a cup tie, it’s all over when Lee scores the Dockers 4th and his 3rd on 48⚽. 0-4. It’s the first bit of quality we’ve seen. Captain Robbo leading the way. 0-4. No let up from the Dockers or the rain.

Godalming have decided it’s not over. Mistakes at the back cost the Dockers as the G’s capitalise to make it 1-4. The start of a comeback or a consolation? I think we know the answer to that or hope we do🤞.

It’s getting harder for the players to control the ball. And the keepers, well, the G’s keeper anyway.

Shay hits a speculative shot from a long way out. It’s no worldie by any means, Not a good strike at all but the keeper somehow misjudges it and it bobbles through his legs . Opps. 1-5. All that time spent trying to find the perfect pass into the box and you can just hit it. Not a night for precision. Still pouring down.

Roman proves it’s possible to find grip with his boots as he makes a great flying save to push it wide. At least he had a soft landing.

Hatrick hero Lee is replaced by Noel Hoffman on 60 who takes up where Lee was playing on the right. Ezra, who has worked tirelessly, is replaced by Teddy on the left. Tom is replaced by Corey. A group of young Godalming fans were amused by Corey Smart’s surname, they won’t be laughing now.

The ‘G’s force Roman into another good save as he keeps it at 1-5 He goes down injured which is a worry as we don’t have another keeper. There are discussions in the crowd about potential replacements. Odds are on Ryan Walton. Fortunately, sorry Ryan, we don’t get to find out.

There is a change at the back as Richmond makes way for Harry.Like the other subs, he doesn’t want to come on.

We can see a discussion going on over on the far touch line. We think the ‘G’s manager is trying to throw in the towel now. He can’t want it to be called off now surely?

Billy has not stopped running, his kit is a muddy wet mess.. But that doesn’t stop him. He runs onto a through ball and scores past the floundering keeper ⚽. 1-6.

Blunty wants in on the action but he blasts wide. It’s his last kick as he is replaced by Ryan Walton. Probably relieved to be playing anywhere but goal.

Teddy has been working well on the left and his chance comes on 85 ⚽. 1-7 Great skill from the on-loan youngster in appalling conditions.

To everyone’s relief, It’s all over. Most were probably thinking it could get stopped any minute. It didn’t but it’s all over now. We just have to get home in the monsoon now.

We think it’s all over..

The beautiful game that wasn’t. How they got the game on and then finished is amazing. And we were nice and dry in the stand. More waterproof than Old Trafford. It kept the 75 of us dry apart from some of the young Ultras. They had their own shelter behind the goal from where they managed to heckle the keeper to make his day even worse.

We suspect that the ref may have abandoned the game at the break had it been 0-0. But it wasn’t and they had to plough on. Almost literally 🚜. It looked horrible to play on but there wasn’t a huge amount of slipping over but at no point did it look dangerous. Ugly football but not endangering players, just offending our eyes. And upsetting the kit person. That kit is going to need more than a scoop of Vanish. We loved the Godalming kit but how did it stay so clean? None of them were smothered in mud like Arthur or Billy. Is it some miraculous teflon coated kit or were they just not as committed? We’re not going to speculate on that but if one of these magic yellow kits is for sale, let me know.

So, we are through to the semi-finals along with Steyning, Little Common and Pagham. We are planning to ask the organisers if we can just buy the cup as we have lots of Moroccan Deerhams and understand that’s how things are done now.

We hope everyone has a safe journey home in the rain. It’s a good night for the Dockers but one that was well earned.

PS We’ve drawn Steyning which will be tough.

The Other Bits

POTM: Goes to Billy 🏅. Bags of energy from the first minute to the last and a brace of goals ⚽⚽.

Ref: A round of applause to the officials. A well managed game. The assistant on the stand side was even smiling despite the almost polite feedback he received. Not 100% on offsides but it’s impossible when the touchline is that wet. And still did better than VAR. Thank you.

The Scran’O’meter awarded an 8/10 for the lovely skinny chips and 6/10 for the hot chocolate. A bit thin for our liking.

Programme Perusal: 9/10 for a well written programme worth all of the £2.50. Well done.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Minging down with rain

Braving the elements to check out the teams

Newhaven v Seaford Town

Back To Blunt Newhaven FC v Seaford Town FC in the Peter Bentley Cup at Ford Road

Where are we and what's going on?

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.

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. There is no sign of Herbie in the Badgers squad, hopefully he’s just away and not moved on. 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.

Off we go..

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.

We think it's all over

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 🐾

Got the last programme

Grass is looking good

Mon the Dockers