After last week's Easter break, the boys were back in action today against a very good Newhaven side.

With injuries, availability and suspensions, this meant that we were going into the game with the base 11 players. A tough ask against a side who like to keep the ball. When we arrived, it was a real treat for the boys to play at the Newhaven stadium, with the pitch, changing rooms and stands all looking in top shape in the spring sun!

We noticed that Newhaven had similar issues with player availability and it was going to be a battle of who could keep their wits about them and focus the most during the game as well as a fitness test this late into the season.

We set up a bit more compact today with the players that we had slotting into roles that they may not always play. Freddie H came into goal for us while the back four was set up with Lewis B coming in at RB, Ethan and Toby in the CB pair and Dean at LB. Into the midfield and we went with a 4 again. Harley down the right, Cam and Stan in the middle and Stephen moved over to the left. Sam played in the 10 and Freddie O up top on his own.

Nigel was clear with the tactics and the boys were understanding and started off extremely well and disciplined. We knew we would have to keep shape and defend well and cut off the options for Newhaven while making the most of our chances when we could create them. In the first few minutes we had a chance when Sam and Stephen linked up well down the left before Stephen hit a shot towards goal that was blocked well by the Newhaven defender.

The first 20 minutes was some of the most organised and tactically sound football the boys had played all season with everyone sticking to their jobs and reducing Newhaven to playing long balls over the top which we dealt with. Despite this first 20 we ended up going behind. A ball through the middle and a bit of miscommunication between cb's and Keeper meant that the striker went through and hit his shot off Freddie into his shin again and then off of Ethan into his shin again to roll into the net. Frustrating. 0-1.

The boys rallied from here and started to get a bit of joy down the right hand side through Lewis and Harley while the whole spine of the team were working hard. Toby, Ethan, Cam, Stan and Sam were working hard to keep the team in shape while Dean, Lewis, Harley, Stephen and Freddie had the job of creating the space and the chances. Sam came closest to getting us back on terms with a shot that tested the keeper but he was equal to it.

HT - Newhaven - 1 - TD - 0

At the half, the boys were positive despite being behind and were looking at ways to get back into the game and start to cause Newhaven issues. More of the same solid structure and defending to give us the platform to push forwards.

We came out of the blocks flying and came close to grabbing a goal right away. Cam sent a ball forward and Sam out muscled the defender before sending a brilliant ball across the box for it to be cleared away for a throw.

The boys saw this and took the game to Newhaven and we continued to work hard. Harley was getting a lot of the ball down the right with Cam and Stan finding him well in behind the full back. Toby and Ethan were sweeping up well which was giving us the platform to keep the sustained attacks going.

Several free kicks were floated into the box but no luck getting on the end of them. Stephen whipped in a cross that narrowly missed the run of Freddie. Newhaven went down to 10 men for a period with their forward landing awkwardly and needing to come off for treatment.

We piled on the pressure for the next 10 minutes. Cam came close to equalizing with a shot from outside the area that he stepped onto after some brilliant play down the right was played into him but the shot went just over the bar. Toby came close next with a rocket of a shot that sent the keeper flying towards the top left corner only getting finger tips on it to put it out for a corner.

With 10 left to play Newhaven defended well and their forward came back on to make it 11v 11 again. Sam was then sent through on goal and knocked the ball past the keeper who was 10 yards outside his box and clipped Sam but trying to get to the ball, Sam stayed on his feet only for the ball to roll out of play. No free kick giving or booking for the foul for the keeper?
Despite the pressure we ended up conceding after a throw on the left hand side was flicked inside to their CM who looked up and switched play to the left winger. Lewis was so close to getting a toe in to intercept the pass however it rolled just past him and the winger went through and tucked it into the far corner for 2-0.

The boys lifted and got a few chances to put the ball into the box with Harley and Stephen getting crosses in.
Our goal came with 2 minutes left and it was a really worked goal from the boys. Starting over on the right, the ball was moved through the middle with some quick passes before going into Cam who beat 2 players and laid it into Stephen who held off his man before knocking the ball into the path of Dean who was making a fantastic run into space. Dean looked up and whipped in a delicious cross into the far post where Harley met the ball brilliantly on the volley and sent it into the back of the net for 2-1. A few handbags were thrown trying to get the ball back for a quick kick off. Although we pushed for the equaliser, Newhaven held firm for the win.

FT - NEWHAVEN - 2 - TD - 1

A theme of our games recently has been that we have been playing decent football but discipline let us down when it came to results but today the boys showed both. We dug in when we needed too, worked hard off the ball and restricted Newhaven to a few chances. The 11 boys worked their socks off today and deserve all the credit for that performance. If we keep this level up going into the final 3 games of the season I see our luck changing and the results going our way.

MOTM - Dean Roadley - Keeping his brilliant form up, Dean was solid at the back today and chipped in with a fantastic assist!