Four On The Floor

Newhaven FC host Spelthorne Sports in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup at the Trafalgar Ground

The Dockers ⚓ host The Spelly at a sun 🌞 drenched Fort Road in a bid to get to the 1st Qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in 61 years. It's always hard to gauge how good teams in other leagues are going to be. Let's find out.

The Spelly, not the Smelly, were out to win and it and were combative from the off. Oh, and vocal. Very vocal 🦜, more on that later. The Dockers have early chances as Owen headed on to the bar on 16 minutes then Robbie does the same with the post a minute later. The Smelly, it was always going to happen, had a go too and thought they had a penalty until their no.9 was booked for diving. He got his revenge when he broke through to go one on one with Bussy and chipped the ballover the stranded keeper. It looked like it was going over but it just drops under the bar and hits the back of the net. 0-1. Newhaven's hard work eventually pays off and they get a penalty for a shirt pull on Little. Alfie tries to break the net as he smashes it in on 45 ⚽. 1-1.  Luca was a mile offside (that's 2 yards in old money) in the move that led up to the penalty but the linesperson hadn't kept up and play continued. All level at the break. It will go to penalties if it finishes like this.

A half time change and Luca is replaced by Ezra. Then the goalfest started. Little Robbo scored on 54 after a pass from Cal ⚽. 2-1. He found the net again on 64 ⚽. 3-1. Ezra is booked for delaying a freekick and Sidders comes on the the injured Robbie. The goal tally increases as Little's shot is blocked and Cal puts the rebound in the net ⚽. 4-1. Little isn't put off and gets his hattrick on 75 ⚽. 5-1. Sean Stephenson comes on for Cal on 75. Wouldn't like to be a Spelly defender right now, 5-1 down and fresh legs coming on to run at you. But it's old legs that score next as Little gets his 4th on 79 ⚽. It calms down for a while and it's almost a goal drought in this context as we have to wait until the 96th minute for another goal. It's Alfie finally on the score sheet after a pass from Sean ⚽. 7-1. Seveeeerrrrnnnnn one to the Dockers.

Wow. What a game that was. Dockers score 6 in the second half with no reply. The score line makes it look like it was a great footballing event but at times it was very ugly. Lots to excessive tackles and shouting at the ref. Their no. 7 kept shouting "How many times ref?" until the 5th official started shouting it back when he, surprisingly, went very quiet. Dockers could do no wrong in the second half and Little was on fire 🔥. He has had so many near misses last season , really pleased that it is coming good now. They have had a few second half collapses this season but this was the opposite. The opposition didn't help themselves and lost their composure. Too much energy wasted shouting at the ref and not enough focus on their own performance.

POTM: Only ever going to be one choice here and is 4 goal hero Ian Robinson 🥇.

Ref: Huge 🤡. Kept overruling the lines people and giving throws the wrong way. Did book them for diving and dissent but shouldn't dissent have also been a sinbin. Just saying. He never really got a grip on the game. He waved away the Dockers 2nd half penalty shouts despite the lines person flagging it, the ref going over to talk to them, then making completely the wrong decision. Doh. 🤦‍♂️

Through to the qualifying rounds which will be Cray Wanderers away in a couple of weeks. More cup action on Tuesday as we visit Seaford at The Crouch in the RUR Cup. 

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

The sun is shining at Fort Road

The Seven Sisters is in

Strong line up

Scenic Newhaven

Duck!

On the Beeb

Don't Let me Downs

Newhaven FC host Crawley Down Gatwick FC in the SCFL Premier League at the Trafalgar Ground

The Dockers ⚓host the Anvils at on an early Autumn evening at Fort Road by the River Ouse. It's the first home league game of the season after 2 away draws so let's hope it's 3 point today. The Anvils were runners up in the league last season with the Dockers finishing just behind them so it will be a tough game and a good measure of how the rebuilt Dockers are doing compared to last season. Cal is up front with Alfie behind and Robbie starts at the back.

It was busy from the beginning with both sides looking to take an early lead but we had to wait until 16 minutes for the first goal! It was the Dockers who took the lead with a clinical finish from inside the box by Calum Connor ⚽. He waits until 25 for his second with a tidy shot into the net ⚽. The Anvils get a chance on 30 but it skims the outside of the post. Alfie takes a corner for the Dockers and Robbie heads it into the net on 35 ⚽. The Dockers are 3-0 up and in control at the break.

The Dockers not so confident after the restart. The Anvils get a disputed freekick on 58. It is well taken and comfortably finds the top of the net. 3-1. Time for some changes as Ezra comes on for Cal after his brace of goals. Dockers have a good shout for a penalty on 70 after Alfie goes 1 on 1 with the keeper and is brought down but the ref waves it away. It's not waved away when Luca is brought down by a clumsy challenge after a clever run. Alfie (finally) smashes it home on 80. 4-1 with 10 to go. More changes with Alfie replaced by James Rhodes and Luca by Harry who is normally a defender but goes to the right wing. Sidders and Tegan come on for Robbie Kieth and Ryan Warwick. The Anvils get a second consolation when gifted an easy goal on 85 and it ends 4-2.

The first half was great and the Dockers were well in control. The second half didn't go as well and it's hard to know what happened. Maybe the changes disrupted the play or the decisions were going again them. It certainly got a bit nervy until the 4th goal as we have seen a 2nd half collapse or 2 from the Dockers recently. Glad they held out this time although they made us suffer.

POTM: Callum Connor 🏆 for the goals ⚽⚽, the quality of the finishes and the great close control.

Ref: Did ok for most of the game but some of the big calls wrong. Keeper got nowhere near the ball for the Alfie penalty shout which was much clearer than the soft on that was given. Guilty conscience? Also penalised some nothing fouls and let some big ones go. Line keeping was ok too.

Scanometer is still on holiday 🏖

That's it for league football for a while, with some cup games coming up next.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Home, sweet home

My boys

Bright lights, Big ferry

Dons Go Breaking My Heart 💔

Tranmere Rovers FC v Milton Keynes Dons at Stadium MK in EFL League 2

Rovers face MK Donald's on a warm but wet day in Buckinghamshire. Lots of new faces and a few familiar ones. Central defence is the same with Davies and Turnbull but the fullbacks are new as Bristow has gone to Minnesota and Cogley to NotloB. Thought he had more taste 😞. On the left is Leake and the right is McAlear. Paul Lewis is in the middle with Kieron and Regen Henry. Up front is new boy Norris with old favourites Hawkes and Saunders. In goal is Luke McGee who we know from Forest Green where he was displaced by Ross Doughan when they paid us a significant fee for his services in January. Hope we got the upgrade. It's the most attacking we have seen the Rovers look for a while, it will take time to gel but the signs are good.

It's start badly when the hosts win the toss and decide to change ends. Really, why? It is a bit amusing as the photographers are all packing up and scuttling round the ground to change ends as well. The attacking line up doesn't seem to work initially for the Whites, seen here in the new black away kit, and the Dons score on just 7. It was hard to see what happened as we behind the other goal but it didn't look like we put up much resistance and gave away the soft free kick that led to the goal. I was very scrappy but improved slightly towards the end of the half when Hawkes moved centrally for a while and was starting to create attacking movements. The Rovers still a goal down at the break though.

Dawes made 3 changes at half time with O'Connor on for McAlear, Dennis for Lewis and (O E O we love ) Connor Jennings on for Hawkes. It looked better straight away and Saunders was starting to cause the hosts issues with his pace and energy but got injured and was subbed on the hour mark. On came Sam Taylor the youngster who scored his first senior goal at Wimbledon last time we saw Tranmere play. They came very close to scoring with a few great chances with Connors heading just wide x 2 and Norris either hitting the bar from close range or drawing a great save from the Dons keeper. MK had one attack in the second half but it was well just saved a by the leg of McGee. A much better second half and should have won it easily but for the quality of the final ball.

Tranmere looked better than they have done for a while with the attacking intent and better range of options available. It will take a while for the team to gel and for Dawsey to find his best 11 but already better to watch. Regen Henry, Luke Norris and Connor all looking like really positive signings. We were put in the upper stand at one end which wasn't the best view but we could see Joe's bald patch from up there during the warm up. It also meant we were well out of the rain when it came down. And it did come down and when it did, it was very funny watching the MK fans in the front 10 row scurry back under cover like crabs crossing the road🦀🛣🤣. And then it was twice as funny when it happened again a bit later 🤣🤣. After such a great performance in the second half it seems a shame that we are not going to see the whites again until Crawley but there are plenty of other games to keep us busy until then.

POTM: O E O We love Connor Jennings 😍 but today it goes to Regen Henry 🏆 for the consistent quality of his play.

Ref: 🤡

Stewarding was a bit much for some fans enjoying themselves. It wasn't quite Swindon levels but could have done so much more to defuse things instead of causing them to escalate.

Bottle top update 🍾: You are not allowed to take in a bottle with a lid but you can take in an empty bottle up to 500ml. There is nowhere to fill it up but don't worry about that. If you buy a bottle of water, it comes complete with the lid 😜.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

1

Back MK

Common Cents

Newhaven FC v Little Common FC in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round at the Trafalgar Ground

The Dockers are back at Fort Road to face the Common who have decided to do us the of honour of attending our Council Estate for 90 minutes of cup football. Having drawn the first league fixture last weekend, it's time to start on the road to Wembley. Bailey is back in the squad after his red card last Saturday was cancelled. It seems that a lot of our favourites from last season have gone to Lancing including Lucas, Charlie and Henry. We wish them good luck but they won't need it as they are all well capable of the step up. Also Marchin has moved away which is sad as he was great to watch 🏃‍♂️. We are getting familiar with the big number of new faces now and it's a strong line up. It's going to be a wet and windy one so let's see how it goes.

It's a good balanced game and going end to end. Dockers start to get a few chances and score first with a great strike from the left by Callum Edwards on 16 ⚽. It start to rain 🌧☔ really hard but that doesn't stop Callum as he gets his brace on 32 when he cuts in from wide right and put it in the top corner 🎯👀⚽. It a 2-0 lead for the Dockers at the break. We know what happened to first half lead in the last couple of games 😭. We head to the stand to dry out a bit.

The second half sees the Dockers playing well but with none of the chances being taken. It's that old 3rd goal issue again, always a bit nervy. As the half progresses, the changes start to be made and cohesion start to slip slowly away. At least the rain has decreased too🌂. Callum Edwards gets his hattrick on 72 ⚽ with a low shot from the right that deflects in off the defender on the line. The Common start to dominate in the final period and pull one back on 82. Jake's goal is under siege as the final whistle approaches but he makes some good saves and it finishes 3-1.

A cup win means another round as the Dockers host Spelthorne Sports here at Fort Road in 2 weeks. Prize money is £1,125 for the winners today. It was a good game to watch with some stunning goals and a good team performance for the most part. Looking forward to the rest of the season as there are some great new signings and it could be really special as they continue to gel as a unit.

POTM: Goes to Callum (top bins 🎯) Edwards 🏆 for his fantastic trio of goals⚽⚽⚽. Any one of those would have been great but to score 3 of that quality bodes well for the rest of the season. No wonder we got battered by Peacehaven at Easter 🤣.

The ref was hopeless and got more wrong than right. The lines person at the Skate park end was a breath of fresh air with his understanding and implementation of the offside rule for Callum's first goal👏.

The ferry ⛴, Seven Sisters, was bang on tinme again, well done Captain 👏.

Up next is our first Tranmere game of the season at MK Dons. I'm lovin' it!

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Looks like a wet one at Fort Road today

Posing in the Skate Park

The teams sheet has moved

On the attack

Friday Night And The Clouds Are Low

Newhaven FC v Seaford Town FC in the Steve Charman Cup at the Trafalgar Ground

The Dockers⚓ take on the Badgers 🦡 in the annual charity cup at Fort Road. Entry is by donation to the @theBHF 💓. There are few changes in the line-up tonight. Harry is right back, no Alfie, no Robbos. Tegan is in the 6 with Blunty further forward. Think the 9 is Callum Connor. Sean and new boy Callum Edwards are the wide players.

The Dockers look the better side from the off and . Their first chance comes from Callum who tries to break the crossbar from range. The visitors take the lead on 22. The Dockers draw level on 22 when Bailie leaps like a salmon to head in from a corner at the back post⚽. There a succession of off-side decisions some are good, others not so. He scores again on 27 when he meets a cross near the far post and slots it home⚽. The score is levelled soon after. Bailie thinks he's got his hattrick on 43 when he taps it home from close range but it's offside⚽. It really is off-side this time. Level at 45⛔. Hope the linesperson at the other end is a bit more consistent.

Theme of second half collapses continues as the Dockers concede 2 in the second 45. The Dockers put the ball in the net a couple of times but the off-side trap is competing for POTM.

Not a great performance from the Dockers but a few changes to the line-up may have caused that. New boy Callum Edwards didn't have the best game in open play but takes a mean corner. Getting the squad involved and getting match minutes is more important than the result in pre-season. The Steve Charman Cup 🏆 heads east to Seaford, more incentive to reclaim it next season.

POTM 🏆: Actually goes to Bailie Rogers for this hattrick brace of goals ⚽⚽⚽.

It was nice to have a celebrity ref for the charity game in the shape of Mike Dean. He gave a couple of bookings where needed other than that he let it flow. Linespeople, unfortunately, did not do so well. It happens and it goes both ways 😣. Hope it evens out soon.🙏

The Ferry ⛴, Côte d'Albâtre today, came in on schedule.

That's it for pre-season for the Dockers. It starts for real soon 👀.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Welcome to a chilly Fort Road

Nice down by the Marina

Reds on the attack

Westie Side Boys

Newhaven FC v Westfield FC (Sussex) in a pre-season friendly at Fort Road

The Dockers ⚓play the Westies 🧭 from the Mid-Sussex League Premier Division on a 3rd consecutive Tuesday night. Hope it's a bit warmer this time and that we get a lead and hold on to it. Alfie is at 10, Tyler Scrafton at 9, Warwick the 8 and Blunty (4) at 6. Wide are Demas and and a new boy. Jake is keeping guard of the net as ever with Sidders and Owen in front of him.

It stars well and continues that way. The Dockers are dominant but can't make it count. Aflie's free kick, rather than going straight into the skate park, hits the top of the bar and launches over the fence into the skatepark 🛹. New routine, same result🤷‍♂️. They have to wait until Tyler scores on 35 ⚽ to break the flood gates. He scores again on 40 with a shot that curls into the top corner⚽. Bailie finishes the half with and angled blast from 25 yards on 42⚽. 3-0 as the ref calls half time. Will the lead last?

The Westies have a better start to the second half and contain the Dockers for periods of time. The are a number of off-sides as the Dockers try to get behind visitors defence. Tyler gets his hattrick from an Alfie corner on 57⚽. Trialist scores a great goal on 59⚽. Demas has some good chances but the keeper keeps denying him 🧤. Alfie has another free kick, this time it goes to plan and is well clear of the bar.  Rhodes comes on for Alfie and gets a good chance in the box but it goes well over 🛫. The Dockers go 6-0 up when trialist rounds the keeper to calmly slot home on 82⚽. Jake gets a breather at the end, not sure who came on but hope it was Roman as he had some good games last season.  

First win of the season 🥳 for us and it's a good one too although it's lower league opposition. I was great to see Bailie fully fit. They must have just bolted him back together. Bionic Baile 🤖.  Goal scoring trialist turns out to be Sean Stephenson. The other trialist in midfield was Tegan Freeman who signed from Peacehaven. Welcome both. Some nice attacking football today. There wasn't much of a threat from the Westies so we don't know if the defence has been sorted yet but a clean sheet is good for morale. Disappointed with the Westie kit, it looked like a training kit and I was hoping for their green and yellow stripes.

Ref had a good game but missed a clear Dockers corner at the Surf 'n' Skate end.

POTM: Tyler Scafton for the hattrick ⚽⚽⚽🏆.

Back here on Friday.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Surf 'n' Skate End

On the way along the river

Love footie under the lights

Hawk This Way

Newhaven FC host Whitehawk FC in a pre-season friendly at Fort Road

The Dockers ⚓face Isthmian Premier new boys the Hawks 🦅 on a cool breezy July night. Last season's pre-season meeting between the two teams at the Enclosed Ground was cancelled due the heatwave. Think we'll be ok this year. It is chilly for the time of year so a big coat is required 🥶. Going to be a tough game as the Hawks gear up for life in the 7th Division. Baiiie is back in the starting line up with Patch is up front again. No Alfie as expected for the meeting between his 2 teams.

The Dockers are looking good take the lead on 7 when the Squawks keeper comes a long long way out to meet a through ball but Patch gets there first and he slots it home from outside the box ⚽. He gets his second on 15 when he runs on to another through ball, the keeper gets a hand to it but Patch finishes it off on the second try ⚽. He looked off-side to everyone except the Lino who gave it 🙏. 2-0 the Dockers. Into injury time, Bailie goes down injured and the ref calls for the stretcher. He eventually walks off but has a bad shoulder injury. Jake has done a great job keeping a clean sheet so far but the Hawks pull a goal back late into injury time. 2-1 up at half time.

It's a very different second half with the Hawks starting to dominate. It's all level after ten minutes and we are trailing after just over an hour. The ferry comes in bringing with it a rainbow to cheer us up a bit. Lots of changes for the Dockers with new Callum on for Patch. The goal every 10 minutes continues as the we concede a fourth and fifth. A new striker comes on for the Dockers wearing 15. He looks quick and energetic but struggles to get much of the ball and it finishes with another loss. 5-2 to the Hawks.

Another tough game for the Dockers against higher but showed some promise in the first half and again led at the break. Same second half score as last week though at 4-0 to the opposition. The squad is looking good and the new no. 15 called Toby Reeder looks like fun to watch. The Hawks looked good too, more serious and professional with less rolling around screaming. Dockers defended well at times but need to sort out the second half performance and are letting in to many scruffy goals. Jake had a great first half too. Good luck to the Hawks as the head back into the Isthmian Premier League after too long an absence.

Ref had a good game and we need to give our thanks to the Linesperson at the skatepark end for the very generous decision for the Dockers second goal.

POTM: Alex 'Patch' Patching for an excellent couple of goals ⚽⚽.

Scranometer has taken a short holiday. Back soon.

Hope it's a bit warmer next time out.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Cold at Fort Road tonight

Down by the Ouse

Ferry has brought a rainbow

It's the Côte d'Albâtre

Raining Champions

Newhaven FC host Broadbridge Heath FC in a pre-season friendly at Fort Road

The Dockers hosts last season's champions, the Bears, at a very overcast evening by the River Ouse. There are no team sheets but a few familiar faces on the pitch. Alfie is back (for how long) and is in the starting 11. Blunty starts and is playing deeper as a number 6. The actual no. 6 centre-half is new. Patch is up front after his double Golden Boot in the U18 and U23 last season. Demas is also a starter on the right wing with a new boy playing 11 on the left. There a no Robinsons on the pitch but Little is in the stand and the stand has been named after Big. The Lee Robinson Stand. Hope he doesn't do much too standing and we see him running soon.

The Bears start well with Jake being called in to action to make a couple of early saves. It gradually levels out with the Dockers starting to get the better chances. Demas on the wide right picked up the ball and everyone expected a cross but he cut in and chipped it to the far post where trialist playing as 11, now known to be Luca Page, ran in to the put it in the net ⚽. First goal of the season and a good one too. Still a goal up at half time.

Some changes in the second half with Rhodes coming on for Alfie. The Bears start to apply the pressure and the inevitable happens on 62 when a low cross goes in off one of the Dockers to level the score. They take the lead shortly after when a shot hits the post and the rebound goes in off Billy. They have to wait for the 3rd goal but it is a good one when it comes with blast through a crowd of players from the corner of the box. At least they scored it themselves this time. Bailie comes on in place of the new 3 and it's nice to see him back after his nasty facial injury late last season. Conner came on for Patch but by that time the ball was mostly down the other end. The final goal is another good one with a cheeky chip over an onrushing Jake. Doh. 4-1 to the visitors.

The Dockers did well against higher (this season) opposition and there was no fault to assign for the own goals. The changes didn't help the consistency but that's the point of a friendly. A couple of new potential signings, spoiler alert, both the no. 6 and no. 11 have signed and they are Owen Cole and Luca Page who both looked very promising. Owen look calm and composed on the ball and in control of the situations. The Bears nerves showed a times but the settled after they had scored. The horrendous weather (it was properly pissing down) didn't help as it rained hard from 20 minutes and although it eased off it never really stopped. A good run out for the Dockers and a good test. Couple of potential signing look good too. Good luck to the Bears in the new season in the Isthmian South East League. Hope to join you there next season.

POTM: Lots of impressive new faces but it goes to old favourite Demas for the cheeky chip that caught them out for the goal.

Ref had a good game and let it flow. Always a difficult balance in a friendly when it's not so friendly really.  He showed great initiative when he was told to Foxtrot Oscar by one of the Bears and instead of using the sin bin, he allowed a substitution.👍

Scranometer sat in the corner with a Mars bar and Coke induced sugar rush but the hot chocolate was the usual 8/10.

The Ferry ⛴, Seven Sisters today, came in on schedule.

Back here next week for more of the same.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Back at Fort Road

Arriving at the Skate Park End

Ferry is here

The Wind Cries Mary

England Women v Portugal Women in a World Cup warm-up friendly at Stadium MK

It's a warm but humid but the rain has kept off as the Lioness host the Selecção das Quinas in the first game of our 23-24 season at the home of MKDonalds. I'm still lovin' it!. It's a friendly and is the last game before the Lionesses jet off to Australia for the World Cup. Millie and Jordan aren't available so who will be in the starting 11. Rachel is up front with the Lauren's and Tooney. Esme and Jess are centre halves with Alex and Lucy out wide. Scary Mary is Captain scary Mary today so they had all better be on best behaviour.

The Lionesses start well and create a few chances although they are all easy for the Portuguese keeper. Georgia is everywhere (all that German training is paying off) and Keira has picked up some feistiness at Barca. England are camped out in the opposition half for long periods but the chances come and go. The visitors make a break a couple of times but Jess and Lucy are having a great game. No score at the break.

Lots the of changes for the second half with Russo on for Daly, Niamh Charles on for Greenwood and Chloe on for Tooney. Lauren James moves to the 10 and Chloe goes wide right. There are a couple of uneasy moments early on a Niamh gets caught out for pace. The team soon settle into attacking again and Alesia has a good few chances that go wide. Portugal register a shot on target after 66 minutes after a fast break but Mary is up to it. She gets caught out a couple of minutes later though as she misjudges a back-pass from Hemp but it luckily goes wide 👀. Anaaand breath. A couple more changes as the half progresses with Katie Zelam on for Kiera and Katie Robinson on for Lauren Hemp. Robbo is her usual menace even on the left. Story of the second half is lack of accuracy around goal but Portugal did defend well and earned the draw.

Not a great watch but it's good to be back. Nice to see Robbo get another cap 👒. Some interesting decisions for Serena to make now. Bon Voyage for the journey down under on Wednesday ✈.

The ref didn't have much to do although she did need to damp down the niggly tackles. She could have done that earlier is our only complaint with it being a friendly but they are all grownups.

POTM goes to Lucy Bronze 🏅who continues to be World Class every time she plays.

Scranometer missed the game as we has a cooked breakfast on the way 🍳🥓.

The 23/24 season starts with a draw but it's good to be watch football again.

See you on Tuesday

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Sold out today

He gets everywhere

Back in Stadium MK

Got a good view

Lionesses warming up

Scary mascots

On with the show

Staying in a nice hotel

Walk round the lake