(Don't fear) The Keeper

Newhaven FC host Pagham FC in the Peter Bentley Challenge Cup 3rd Round at Fort Road

The Dockers ⚓ host The Lions 🦁 on a horrendously wet 🌧 night by the Ouse. Good job the tide is out at the moment. A change or 2 tonight. Little is still left back but has Bailey inside him at centre half. Robbie Malila is in the midfield with Blunty and Alfie in the 10 as ever. Big is up front with Harry and Conner Edwards on the wings. Paul "Woody" Woods is standing in for the injured Jake.  Lets hope it's not a 🧹Halloween 🎃horror show like the performance, or lack of, on Saturday.  We'll be optimistic and hope it's going to be Fab-Boo-Lous.

The scoring opened on 4 minutes when Rob Malila netted ⚽with the assist from Lee. Alfie got his first on 11 ⚽from the spot after he was fouled in the box. Lee gets clear on 16 but hits it's straight at the keeper🧤. Josh Tuck went off injured and Max comes on. Hope it not too bad. He's been a really good late addition to the squad. Callum Edwards gets his first on 23 ⚽with another assist from Lee. Big Roobo has another near miss on 34 as he hits the post. He finally gets on the scoresheet on 36 ⚽with the assist from Alfie. Lee gets clear again on 38, round the keeper who then wipes him out. The keeper gets a red card but refuses to go off 🤣. He eventually goes 🚶‍♂️but it's to the bench instead of down the tunnel. They don't have a spare keeper so it's a quick glove and shirt swap with an outfield player who has to step up to face a penalty. He is probably expecting to pick the ball out of the net but Alfie puts it wide🤦‍♂️. The first half goes on and on and on mostly due to the time wasted by the keeper refusing to be sent off. The whistle finally  goes after 15 minutes and the Dockers are coasting at 4-0 up. It could have been more but the lino was working overtime with the offside flag as the Dockers outpaced the opposition. Hope the lino down the other end isn't so eager.

It takes just 2 minutes into the second half for Callum Edwards to get his second ⚽ from an Alfie Rogers cross. Big's second goal is denied by the cross bar and the refs opinion that it didn't cross the line. Boo🎃. Blunty gets on the rebound but blasts it wide. Luca comes on for Rob Malia. The Dockers are struggling to test the stand-in keeper until Alfie tackles him in the box and the ball rebounds into the net ⚽ to make it 6. On 80 and we are all looking on confused as Luca is booked for something. Substitute Ryan Walton looks like he gets the 7th but Luca is deemed offside. The Dockers have to settle for 6 and on their way to the 4th round.

A well-deserved result for the Dockers. There was some great team play and some good individual skill. Looked like the Dockers we know and love who can be devastating in attack. How could this be nearly the same team as Saturday? Total contrast to that team who looked like a bunch of strangers who had only just met 🤷‍♂️. 

There were a few complaints at the ref but he did a good job considering the weather and kept the standards up. Kept the 5th Official quiet 😶 and got the big decisions right, especially the red card. He could have been a bit more picky about delaying freekicks, balls being kicked away and the antics of their keeper once booked but did enough to stop it getting out of hand. Would settle for that every week but we all know that won't happen. Some of the offsides were disputable but the best technology in the world can't work out where the line is so these guys should be forgiven if they get the odd one wrong.

The hot chocolate was up to it's usual high standard👍.

More Cup action up next with the First Round of the FA Cup.

Tranmerekat🐾

Greetings from a very wet Fort Road

Watching the Ferry

Checking out the squad

(Sitting on) The Dockers of the Bay

Newhaven FC host Hassocks FC in the SCFL Premier League at Fort Road

The Dockers ⚓ face The Robins in a six pointer between 2 of the top 6. Newhaven have a run of home games and need to turn that in to good points. There are a couple of changes to the 11 with Jake on crutches👀😭 so Dan Gibson is in goal. Little, Captain Little today, is left back and Harry Reed is wearing 7 on the right wing. The weather is predicted to be very very wet indeed but let's hope the forecast is wrong. I can't swim.

The Dockers started brighter and it looks like they are ahead on 9 from Harry Reed but the officials decided that the ball didn't cross the line. They really do go ahead on 21 ⚽when Alfie makes no mistake from the spot after Harry is felled in the box. The lead lasts all of 3 minutes when the Robins walk through the defence likes it's not there. The Dockers failed to regain control and looked more likely to concede again but made it to the break with it all level.

The second half happened apparently but it was utterly forgettable 💤. It was scrappy with both sides having a few half chances. Newhaven did perk up towards the end but couldn't find the quality to make it count. It's equal at the final whistle and we just glad it's over.

We come here so that we get to watch at least some decent football but that was like watching Tranmere today. Maybe the weather or the nerves of a six pointer but it didn't even have the energy levels to become bad tempered. Hopefully that means they will be full of beans on Tuesday for the PB Cup🤞.

POTM: It’s a hard one but goes again the Ryans, Blunt and Warwick again🏅🏅.

The officials did OK and were at least consistent. Ref let a lot go and that can go wrong but didn't tonight. Only oddity was a booking for Alfie when the challenge looked like a 50-50. Still we have seen much worse decisions and will no doubt do so again. 5th official was very quiet but maybe be lack of enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone.

See you on Halloween 🎃

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Dry at the moment 

SjoekeN, not stirred

Brighton & Hove Albion v Chelsea in the WSL at Kingsmeadow

The SeaGals are away to the Chels on a surprisingly sunny ☀😎 autumn day in "Oh Kiiiing-ston Town 🎸". The weather has been very wet for the last few days but it's nice today and the pitch is looking good. There are a number of new faces especially for the Seagulls. It starts at the back with Sophie Baggaley in goal as on-loan Nicky Everard can't play against her parent club. In front of her is Man Utd's Maria Thorisdottir alongside our own Guru (Bergsvand). Out-wide on the right is Li Mengwen with Kullberg on the left. In the middle is Tatina Pinto and Vicky Losada. Robbo, Lee and Bremer are up front. Looks like a positive line up. The Albion haven't come here to get a point. Although that would be nice. Lining up for the Blues, Musovic has been favoured until now but AKB gets the nod today. It looks like 3 at the back with Millie, Jess and Kadesha Buchanan. Eve Perisset and Nieve are the wingbacks. Ingle and German newie Sjoeke Nusken in the middle with Lauren, Fran and Sam up front. Nothing to be worried about there 👀. Basil has been passing round the Quality Street 🍬to the away fans which is a good start. Hope he's not so cheerful at the final whistle.

Sophie is straight into action when she stretches to tip Frans shot over but the crossbar saves it for her. Brighton head down the other end and take the lead on 10 when Bremner made sure work of her shot ⚽ from a Robbo low cross. Baggaley justified her selection and some with a number of fantastic saves including a few multiples from some chaotic penalty box action. Brighton pressure see Robbo and Bremer combine again but AKB gets down well. Jess Carder wriggles free and get in a cross that find Nusken unmarked and she make sure work of the header in the last minute of injury time. Gutted for the girls to concede so close to the break.

Chelsea must have had a bit of a telling off by Emma while they chomped on their half time oranges as they came out fighting. Nusken gets two? (og - Bergsvand) more with Sam Kerr getting both the assists but Brighton still get chances with AKB doing well to keep out Bremer. Nusken turns provider and gets an assist as substitute and Ingerland youngster Aggie Beaver-Jones tucks the ball away to make it 4-1. Brighton get the last laugh as the high press wins them possession just outside the Chelsea box and it ends up at the feet of Terland who pokes it home on as the clock hits 90 ⚽. 4-2 the final score.

The Seagulls are making good progress and showed confidence today against the 4 times champions. Bremer had some good chances and Teri buried a half chance. Defending could have been better but with Sam Kerr turning provider and Nusken taking the ball home it was a great Seagulls performance. The Blues and Nusken's third goal was really an own goal from Seagulls defender Bergsvand but she wasn't going to argue as Sjoeke claimed both the goal and the match ball. Hopefully they can take some of that confidence into the meeting with the Red Devils in Crawley next week.

Officials looked OK to us. Most of the action was down the other end and at the end we couldn't see the offside line. So good enough.

Next up, a mid-week 6 pointer at Fort Road. See you there.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Sunny at the Kingsmeadow

We're here in daylight 

Good atmosphere

A Song of Ice and Five

Newhaven FC host Chichester City FC in the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup at Fort Road

The Dockers ⚓ host the Lillywhites in the County Cup 🏆 2nd round.  Worthing won it last year so it's Brighton's turn this year. The weather has suddenly turned cold, so it's time for a big (in more ways than one) coat to keep the wind out. Winters coming apparently! Chichester are in a higher league so will be favourites but it's the league that the Dockers want to be in do it's a good test. There are a few missing tonight with new favourite Josh Tuck missing along with Ryan Warwick and Connor Edwards. Good news is that Bailey and Lee Robbo are on the bench.

The Lillywhites took a little while to settle but were soon showing their class. The passing and pace are a step above the Reds. The Dockers do get a chance to take the lead with a free kick from Alfie which he hits low (instead of straight into the skate park) and forces a good save. Rio gets a chance but thew shot is too tame to trouble the keeper. There is a lot a defending for the Dockers to do especially out wide where the super speedy wingers are causing problems. When the goal comes it is a scruffy one from a goalmouth scramble and the visitors are in the lead. Just when we were thinking how good it would be to be level at the break then we never got to find out. 0-1 when the whistle goes.

The visitors just got better as the second half went on and the second came after a couple of minutes . Newhaven started playing well but could get the important 3rd goal. It was the visitors who found it making it 0-3 on 51 despite Jake making a couple of good saves. The Dockers were struggling to contain the pacey wingers and having to do a lot of defending The Lillywhites sealed it with two more on 65 and 67 to put it out of reach. The Dockers rallied again and had a good ten minutes but couldn't get what would now be just a consolation goal.

POTM: The man between the sticks, Jake Buss kept the score down with some great saves 🧤. Captain fantastic strikes again 🥇.

We have seen the Lillywhites play before at the Sussex Charity Shield when Doug Tuck's Bognor took the win. We weren't there the time we heard of them was when they made it to the FA Cup 1st round when they drew Tranmere away. They were beaten 5-0 at Prenton Park and instead of enjoying their big day out , they were singing anti scouse and north songs like a bunch of kids. They were clearly the better side tonight. Newhaven are doing well in the league and still in the Peter Bentley Cup and looking forward to the Vase. Big season in the league need to focus on that now. And maybe retaining the Peter Bentley Cup and maybe getting to Wembley in the Vase.

To continue the theme of being on our best behaviour we will say that all the officials were great. This is 9th division football after all.

Next up is an away trip to Chelsea.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Dark at Fort Road

A few missing

Watching the Ferry

Down by the river

Miss You Like Crazy

Newhaven FC host Eastbourne Town FC in the Peter Bentley Cup 2nd Round at Fort Road

The Dockers face the Saffrons in the 2nd round of the Peter Bentley Cup. Newhaven are the holders so it would be a shock to go out at this stage but it's cup football and anything can happen. There are one or two missing from the team sheet but it still a good line up. Hope Josh Tuck is better than Doug Tuck 😉 but he is a bit taller☝. It's a warm, still evening by the Ouse which is a huge contrast to the rain and gales at Hill Park last week. This is match no 150 for me. Hope it's a good one.

Dockers start well and Cal is having a great time running them ragged on the right. The Saffons are leaving him so much space👨‍🚀. They are defending the crosses well and that's a lot of crosses to defend. The Dockers breakthrough comes on 19 when Lee can't get hold of Billy's low cross but Alfie is on hand to bury it ⚽. Loads of corners for Cal to take, Josh and Robbie get on the end of a few of them but can't get the right contact to hit the target. The Dockers are all over United but can't make it count and take a narrow lead into the break.

The Dockers don't get the same grip on the match after the restart and Jake has to make a couple of saves. At least he remembers how. The Dockers eventually manage to double their lead on 65 when Robbie gets a head or shoulder or something on the ball from an Alfie corner and it ends up in the net⚽. With a 2-0 lead they sit back and soak up the pressure not that they have a choice as the Saffrons start to play a bit of football. The 3rd goal looks like it might go to the visitors as they pile on the pressure but can't hit the target. The first change is Ezra who comes on for big Robbo. He waited just 5 minutes to score his first Dockers goal. He picked it up wide on the half way line, no- one kept up with him so he went alone. It looked like he had over run it but finished with precision from a tight angle⚽. Potential goal of the month right there. The game was killed off now. The Saffrons worked hard for a consolation goal and gave Jake is a good test. Bussy was forced to make an incredible save from close range and no-one looks surprised as this is just normal for him these days. Clean sheet intact. On to the third round.

A good game at times and frustrating at others. First half was tale of missed chances. The Dockers should have been 6 or 7 up by the break. With 2 games a week at the moment it was surprising that the changes were made so late with the first being Robbo on 78. Keeping up momentum after making changes has been an issue so maybe that was the thinking. Whatever the reasoning it worked tonight against tough opposition. Well done boys. Mad about the Saffons. Not me. And don't call me Mellow Yellow.

POTM: Goes to the midfield duo of the Ryans, Blunt and Warwick🏆🏆. Getting involved in everything.

The officials officiated to the best of their ability which is all that you can ask.

See you soon

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

A Nice Autumn Night

Still no Bailey 

Moon River

Jock-A-Hula Baby

England Women v Scotland Women in the inaugural UEFA Nations League at the Stadium Of Light in Sunderland

It's the Lionesses first game since the World Cup final and they face the Jockesses at the Black Cats 🐱‍👤 home in Wearside. The match is the first round in the shiny new Nations League that has replaced the usual friendlies and 10-nil qualifying games. It's going to be tough as the Scots are in good form and the Lionesses may be suffering the after effects of the Cup Final loss. Beth and Leah are still out, Fran is not back, Kiera has a new injury. Lessi is in the squad but being rested tonight. Other than that it's a full squad 💯. It looks like Rachel and LH are up front with LJ and Tooney behind and Katie Zelem behind them. Chloe and Lucy are out wide. At the back are Alex, Millie and Jess. Looks good to us. Sam Kerr, the other one, starts for Scotland and Caroline Wier is playing. We remember her and how good she is from Real Madrid at Chelsea.

It's a big event so it's time for the wheelie bins of fire and some very noisy (and smelly) fireworks. 🎆🧨🎇 The players line up for the national anthems and then the stand alternately and show their wrist bands for a group photo in solidarity with the Spanish Women's team. #SeAcabo "It's over". There is a minutes silence for Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack who passed away recently aged just 27. Very sad. The players and officials take the knee then we're off.

Scotland kick off but the Lionesses are straight on the attack and Hempo is giving the defenders a hard time. The chances come and go for Georgia and Rachel. Scotland get a look in but blink and it's gone. Hempo is causing issues left and right. We get to 20 minutes before Scotland get a decent chance and Caroline Wier forces Mary into a good save. It's LJ's turn to cause the defence issues now but it's Rachel Daly getting her head on a diagonal ball from Katie Zelem that puts the ball in the net. It's disallowed for offside as Chloe Kelly is "too" near the keeper No VARse for some reason today so it's gone and we carry on. Scotland are picking up the ball high up the pitch and Thomas is getting in the mix forcing a good save. Millie must have got fed up with her as she flattens Thomas with no degree of subtlety. The penalty shout is turned down. Straight down the other end and Zelem's long diagonal finds the head of a flying Lucy and this time it counts. A goal at last on 38. It's another header, this time is Hempo of a Daly cross puts it the net on 45. Scotland press in injury time and poor communication amongstcthe Lionesses causes the turnover. Hanson, (Kirsty not mm bop) just about gets to it first and it rolls in off the inside of the post wrong footing Mary. A very poor goal to concede and what bad timing. Serina will be cross as we arrive at the break.

England start brightly with chances from Rachel and LJ before Rachel gets through only to be offside.  Scotland are starting to apply some pressure, pressing high.  Weir is getting on the ball more especially wide on the right exposing Chloe Kelly as a wing back. Have never seen a player asked to leave the field to put a boot back on but have now. Wierd but funny as it's a Scotland player.  Good defending by Greenwood keeps the Lionesses in the the lead.  Mary makes a good save, they get to the second ball but but shot hits the bar Phew.  Living dangerously here.  It's quite an onslaught from the Jockesses with Hanson leading the charge.  Big chance as Weir nicks the ball but Grimshaw fires straight at Mary.  There is some relief for England as Hanson hobbles off injured on 88.   LJ gets clear in injury time and plays on despite the flag for off-side.  She scores but it won't count.  It's a tight call again though.  Still 2-1.  Scotland have a last attack and then it's all over. England start the nations league with a win.

Wasn't a great spectacle. The first half was good a times but the second was a bit flat.  But a win is a win and it should be double points for beating Scotland.  The ground was nice but a bit cramped.  Maybe they are sponsored by EasyJet.  Travelling there from Newcastle wasn't fun and getting home makes Wembley Way seem like a picnic in the park.  

Ref could have done worse but dissapointed there was no V'ARse.  Scotland would have had a penalty then it might have finished 4-2 as the Lionesses disallowed goals were both very close decisions.   Whatever happened to giving the attacker the benefit of the doubt as neither was clear cut.  The girls are back to WSL next weekend then we are on our own international break.

Scranometer made a welcome return and enjoyed a trip to the North East with a slap up breakfast in Newcastle on Saturday morning.  Yum. Thanks Olive and Bean. 

See you soon somewhere for some 9th division action. 

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Got here at last!

Stadium Of Light

Ing glee und

Filling up

Ears on 🔥 

Winning

Alan

Bobby

The Wind Beneath My Wingers

Newhaven FC away to Saltdean FC in the SCFL at Hill Park

The Dockers are back at Hill Park to face The Tigers on a breezy (and some) and wet (sideways rain) Autumn (freezing more like) evening. They are under new management with ex-Dockers Coach and U23's Manager Kieron at the helm. Hope it goes well for him, except tonight when we hope he has a nightmare. We were here back in January when the Tigers were struggling and came away with the points after winning 7-0. Expecting them to be a better footballing side tonight under Kieron's influence but still hope they get a bit battered tonight. A couple of familiar faces in the Tigers with ex Dockers including an old favourite, Aaron Windsor. Marley was here last year but no sign of the speedy striker today.

Saltdean won the toss but for some reason thought it was good idea to start with the Dockers are attacking with the wind 🤷‍♂️. And it is some wind blowing in off the sea. The wind assistance helps the reds, seen here in blue, run riot in the first spell.  The  with a long range strike for Alfie being the first on target in the 2nd minute ⚽. Callum Edwards doubles the lead on 9 with a strike from way out on the right that misses everyone and goes straight into the net⚽. Of course he meant it. He's got a great strike on him. The Dockers are dominant but struggling with the wind which is blowing the rain under the stand roof as we try to stay dry. The Tigers started to get a bit of a grip on the game, restricting the Dockers to only a few more chances and nearly pulled one back in the dying seconds but it went way over the bar. It could and should have been 3-0 but could easily have been 2-1. Who will get the 3rd goal? The Dockers are 2 up and looking 'reasonably' comfortable at the break.

The second half saw the Dockers playing into the wind. The Tigers were unable to exploit having the wind behind them and both sides defended well with limited chances. It was settled by Rob Malia on 86 ⚽ as he fired home from the edge of the box after a Callum Edwards corner. All over at Hill Park except for one of the Tigers who got sin-binned with about 7 minutes to go so was effectively sent off.

An entertaining game as it's always more enjoyable to watch with a goal or two in the bank. Dockers have played better and need to be more clinical. Saltdean have improved but have a long way to go. Looking forward to coming back soon here to see an improved team and the big upgrade that is coming to Hill Park. The crowd was a little (though it was marginal) quieter tonight after the feedback on the 'rowdiness' during and after the Lingfield game 🤐.

POTM: Goes to Mad Max Vardy who had a funny 5 minutes and entertained us all running round after the ball like a cat doing zoomies. Until he got reined in and settled down to defend sensibly 🤣.

The officials did receive some limited feedback but could have done worse. Line keeping for off-side was always going to be a nightmare in the gale force winds.

International action up next with a trip to the North East🥶.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

It 's Dark At Hill Park

Good Golly Mister Jolley

Tranmere Rovers FC away to Crawley Town FC in EFL League 2 at the People's Pension Stadium

The Rovers visit the Red Devils for the second time this year and it's another hot and sunny afternoon in Sussex. The last time we were here in April, the hosts were teetering on the brink of relegation until they took all 3 points from us. The tables have turned now and it is Rovers struggling to stay out of the relegation zone having lost 6 in 7. Ian Dawes has gone so Nigel Adkins is at the helm. Let's see if the positivity can have an impact on what should be a decent squad but suffering from very poor recent form. In a change to recent games, Nigel Adkins has for some reason, known only to himself, to play players in the best positions. It's a strange idea that will never work, surely. The front 3 of Jennings, Taylor and the seldom seen Charlie Jolley looks good. In defence there are 4 defenders in the shapes of Pike, Davies, Turnbull and Wood. McAlear, Walker and Hawkes make up the middle 3.  Lets hope the changes work 🙏.

The Rovers start brightly and take the lead on 21 as Charlie Jolley runs on to a through ball from Sam. Has a lot to do but rounds the stranded keeper to slot home ⚽. There are a few more half chances but no more goals. The SWA get in a few verses of "We're winning away" while they can. The ref has a had a good first 45 but it end as we head into injury time and the weird bookings start. The Whites, seen here in white, are still in the lead at the break 🤞.

It gets a bit more end to end in the second 45. Both sides are getting chances. Hawkes has a great chance that he makes for himself with a run down the wing that ends in front of goal but the shot from the edge of the box goes just over. The bookings continue, mostly for time wasting and dissent. The hosts get a free kick at the edge of the box and it ends up in the back of the net. It all gets a bit out of control behind the goal where the Crawley fans are. There are smoke bombs and all sorts of other things being thrown onto the pitch and at Luke McGee. He just gets on with tidying up the goal area. The ref hides at the side of the pitch talking to a steward but in the end he pretends it didn't happen and does nothing. The Rovers are soon back in front from Sam (backflipping) Taylor on 66⚽. The lead lasts all of 2 minutes as a ball across the goal mouth is unchallenged and tapped home. Our Nige, makes some changes with Harvey Saunders coming on for Sam. His pace doesn't really help as the Rovers are pinned back in their own half. As we reach the 45 mark, there are 8 added minutes. Don't you know we have homes to go to? Harvey finally gets to run with the ball and creates a chance, he passes to Hawkes who is in front of an open goal but can't sort out his feet quick enough and it goes wide. The Whites are struggling to get out and under constant pressure. Not good for such a leaky defence. Crawley score on 96 after a disputed freekick from the left edge of the box. He got the ball ref, did you take your contacts out at half time? After some more time wasting, the final whistle goes at a few seconds short of 100 minutes.

It's another loss for the Rovers but there are rays of hope 🌤 and a draw wouldn't have been an unfair result. The first half was much better that the second as the Whites struggled to get and keep the ball. They also missed opportunities to hit on the break, slowing it down too much. They are a side short on confidence but there were good bits and goals from 2 youngsters defiantly a plus from the day.

POTM: Charlie Jolley is the recipient today 🏅, ran his socks off and scored a great goal.

Ref did well for the first 45, went a bit bonkers in injury time then completely lost in the second half. Did nothing when it all kicked off but issued 9 yellow cards in a game that wasn't aggressive or bad tempered. The timewasting and shenanigans only registered a 3 on the Forest green Darks Arts scale but but he picked on every little thing until he didn't. Didn't seem bothered toward the end of the game, maybe his card was full and he ran out of room for names.

Today saw the return of the Scranometer with a guest appearance giving a 9.5 to the pizza 🍕and chips🍟.Not good enough from the catering at Crawley with no water available at half time on such a hot day🐪.

Next up is the Lionesses in Nations League action 🏆.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Sunny in Sussex

Warm enough already boys

We're winning away (at half time)