ARUNDEL: Far from run of the mill

December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 / admin / 1 Comment

Arundel vs Chichester City
Mill Road
SCFL Premier Division
December 19
Attendance 45

December is a footballer’s least favourite month. To start with, it’s a tough enough time of year anyway for most, what with all the preparations needed for the one most wonderful day of the year. But imagine doing that when every Saturday is taken up by football. And then throw in the fact that said football will probably be called off at late notice due to a waterlogged pitch.

I had a taste of these frustrations less than a week before Christmas. In the diary was a trip to Cowfold in division two. And with Mrs N nursing a rotten hangover, it gave me the chance to tow her along to get some fresh air and witness the beautiful game up close and personal. However, having parked up in Mid Sussex with just 15 minutes before a 2pm kick off, I saw the opposing players getting on the mini bus with the ref calling the match off due to a few “wet patches”.

And so it was back in the car to find another match and another ground to tick off. Just along the road on the outskirts of Horsham was Broadbridge Heath. So we arrived nearly an hour earlier to be told the game against the hornets of Horsham was definitely on. Half an hour later and the news from the committee was the game was OFF. The reason? Well, it turns out the visiting coach told the ref if there was an injury it would be on his head. My take was he must have left his Christmas shopping till late and needed a free afternoon…

And so at 2:50pm it was back in the car to try to reach the only game left on the list – Arundel at Mill Road.

During the 25 minutes or so it took to get there my thoughts turned to a chat I had with my granddad. “Whenever it rains,” he used to say, “the first match always off is at Arundel.” So it was with great surprise that we arrived to find the match in full flow. And an even greater surprise when the old chap on the gate waved us in for free, despite my greatest protestations.

The match itself was a poor one and not worth writing about really. But the surroundings were top class. Nestled in the heart of the town, Mill Road is one of the most picturesque in the county, if not the south of England. On a clear day, you can see the reason the town exists in the first place – the domineering Norman castle that stands tall for all around to see.

Half time: Arundel 0 Chichester City 0

With a couple of neat stands and a clubhouse full of character, this was a real find.

Even if the match wasn’t great, Mrs N had a hangover and the conditions a bit drab, stood in the fresh air, with a drop of good ale in hand and seeing 22 people tear around some fresh grass the beauty of non-league football was clear. Even in unpredictable month of December, this really is the beautiful game.

THE ESSENTIALS

Welcome to Mill Road

Arundel FC
Mill Rd,
Arundel,
West Sussex
BN18 9PA

www.pitchero.com/clubs/arundelfc
@arundelfc

Getting there and away

Car: From the east or west follow the A27 and take the exit for the town centre at the main roundabout. Head towards the castle across the river bridge then take a right into Mill Road. The entrance to the ground is 150 yards on the right. Parking is in the pay and display car park which when Nomad visited was £2.50 for 3 hours.

Nearest station: Arundel (five minute walk)

Programme

A room with a view

Sadly there was no programme on offer, instead there was an A4 folded sheet in colour with the teams inside. An interesting change of format, presumably to save a bit of money. Understandably not all of the teams were accurate, and it was only later that I got the correct info.

Food and drink

Was excellent to see a couple of options. For those who didn’t want a glass of cold stuff on the far side there was a tea shack with a full selection of hot food and drinks on offer. All reasonably priced too, which was helpful on a day when repeat visit were in order.

The tea shack has a roaring trade in this weather

Clubhouse

On first appearances it was a little dated, more suited to the 1970s than the 21st Century. But inside was a real treasure. At the far end was a cabinet stuffed full of football relics while out the back was a decent sized function room for the committee to gather. With some great beer on tap, it was clear that this was a hub for the community being home to darts, bridge and pool teams too.

Toilets

Not the most modern but they were spotless with topped up soap too.

MATCH FACTS

Arundel 0
Chichester City 0

Attendance 45

Arundel
1. James Fernandes
2. Lewis Jenkins
3. Ashley Hunter
4. Ryan Peake
5. Jordan Dudas
6. Aaron Hooker-Meehan
7. Asa Nicholson
8. Max Thoms
9. Jordan Jones
10. David Herbert
11. Rory Biggs

Subs
Nathan Da Costa

Chichester City
1. David Hook
2. Daniel Watts
3. Harry Williams
4. Jamie Horncastle
5. Ruben French
6. Josh Clack
7. Kieran Hartley
8. Joshua Case
9. Daniel Hegarty
10. Graham Bush
11. Jimmy Wild

Subs
Lewis Edwards

SCOUTING REPORT

Not much to report here I’m afraid. It was a dull, drab game with neither team offering much. Given past results I’d say it was because the conditions got the better of both teams.

Arundel looked the likelier to get a winner, particularly as the game drew to it’s conclusion. Solid at the back, they sould have more confidence in their ability to break quickly. David Herbert and Nathan Da Costa worked well together for the final 15 but were beaten more often than not by a combination of strong tackling and a muddy pitch.

For Chi, they really need to offer more support to the front man. For too long they played 10-0-1 with no one from the midfield getting forward to support the target man. Josh Case was among the better players on display but he was rare in his desire to go forward.

RUSTINGTON: Home of the world’s biggest hot cross striker

December 31, 2015January 1, 2016 / admin / Leave a comment

Rustington vs Alfold
Rustington Recreation Ground, Jubilee Way
SCFL Division Two
November 21
Attendance 25

‎”Where is Rustington?”, my other half asked as I was explaining where I’d be heading off to for the afternoon. “Y’know,” I explained, “sort of a bit further than Worthing, before Littlehampton and south of Arundel”. Looking at her face and it was like I was telling her I was off to the Bermuda Triangle.

As it was, I was right with the location – and it wasn’t as mysterious as my other half might have thought.

The teams emerge…

It’s described as a village and while it has a high street and nice looking church, most of the houses are similar looking giving it the vibe of a pretty standard suburb. But then, beneath the surface there’s a few nice oddities – like the fact the world’s biggest hot cross bun was created there in the early naughties. Or the fact it played host to two world air speed records. Or that it was home of the composer of Good Night Vienna. Or that it’s football team went through 2006 without losing a single match, earning them a mention on Sky Sports News.

The Blues celebrate going one up.

Arriving at Jubilee Way ahead of kick off and the Sky cameras had long disappeared with things seemed very quiet. Sure there were dugouts in place and cars filled the tarmaced parking area.

But there was no one about. Heading towards the social club and I wondered if I’d got the right place. I needn’t have worried as the bar was packed with people watching the Watford – Manchester United game on TV. Most, judging by the shirts, were Reds fans (300 miles from Manchester I know…) but others were simply keeping warm from what Michael Fish would describe as a Barmy Baltic Breeze. Or to colloquiase, brass monkeys.

There was an added bonus as the very welcoming couple behind the bar firstly apologised for there being no programme, as the printers had let them down. But they then produced a programme from earlier in the year, which they were more than happy for me to take without charge.

At five to two the teams emerged. And armed with a cup of strong tea and a paper cone of piping hot chips I was ready. ‎And surprisingly a fair few of the folk in the club followed.

The red mist descends for Alfold’s number 9…

The game itself was a tight affair but it was probably the home side that edged it. They looked more composed on the ball and we’ll organised off it. This was despite kicking into the wind and sun . I also wrote on twitter it was up the slope too but after‎ it created much ire from Rustington followers, I thought I’d omit that – mind, given the wind it probably did feel up hill…

…the ref had no option but to issue a red…

Anyway,‎ it was the Blues dressed in blue that took the lead after about 20 minutes, number 11 Chris Darwin slotting home a firm strike. They should have scored earlier but for a series of fine close range saves by the Alfold goalie. And then moments later they made it two with James Bennett getting on the scoresheet. It was harsh on the visitors who’d made the trip from Surrey, as they kept the ball well and looked dangerous as they attacked down the channels.

…it took his own team mates to escort him from the pitch

Then there was a moment which was as utterly bizarre as it was surprising. Following an innocuous challenge the Alfold number 9 (ironically, called Burke) swapped words with is opponent before the red mist descended and he made a run at one of the Blues players. A melee followed and they were separated. The ref met red mist with a red card- and then as he trudged off, he made another run at the opponent. And as quickly as it took for the early shower to kick into action, that was game over.

I spent half time musing over the incident with another cup of tea amongst the throngs in the social club. It was only afterwards that I found out from the visiting team that the reason for the bull imitation was that nasty words were said about his mother who is severely sick. While the playground name-calling does spoil football at all levels, there’s certainly no need or excuse for the scene which would be more suited to a zoo.

Back to the match and the rest of the game petered out. Rustington continued to look more composed on the ball. Darwin was a continual threat down the left with his twists and turns. But with their opponents down to ten, they seemed to lose interest and it was by luck rather than judgement that Darwin grabbed his second and the Blues’ third with ten to play.

In comparison, it was the visitors who really made the most of the second period. Pushing a midfielder up front, they harried and played with great purpose. And when one player had enough of the running in the centre of the park, they switched around. It really was an impressive effort from the whole team. It was all the more remarkable given the sub-zero temperatures which were enough to drive some to watch the match from their cars.

And that was that – a strange end to a strange game. Not quite the Bermuda Triangle. But does the Caribbean have a 22-man melee in the freezing cold washed down with a warm brew all from the comfort of your own car? Thought not…

THE ESSENTIALS

Rustington FC
Recreation Ground
Jubilee Avenue,
Rustington
Littlehampton
West Sussex
BN16 3NB

www.pitchero.com/clubs/rustington

@Rustington_FC

Getting there and away

From the East: follow the A259 past Sainsburys on your left, then left at next roundabout on to the B2187, over Windmill bridge. Go straight on at roundabout, then 1st right then 1st left into Woodlands Avenue. The car park is 80 yards on the right next to the village hall and the club house is the white building opposite the car park.

It was so cold some watched the match from the car park

From the West: Proceed to Watersmead roundabout with the Body Shop on your left. Take the B2187 with the cemetery on your right, 1/2 mile on over the next roundabout, past BP garage on your left, take the 3rd turning on your right into Albert road then the 1st right into Woodlands Avenue. The car park is 80 yards on the right next to the village hall and the club house is the white building opposite the car park.

Nearest station: Angmering (20 minute walk)

Bus: the 700 coastliner operated by Stagecoach stops a short five minute walk from the ground.

Programme

None on offer as the printer’s failed to deliver them on time. The committee members were kind enough though to dig one out from earlier in the season so I didn’t go home empty handed. And he refused my offer of a donation too.

Clubhouse

A real gem. From the outside it doesn’t look like much. But inside on this freezing day it was full of people interested in the game on the box and the game outside. With a nice bar area with pool table and a tea shack, there was plenty of room to mingle too.

Food and drink

Cracking cup of tea and cone of chips from the tea shack. Beer was very reasonably priced too. But on this freezer of an afternoon, all I was interested in was a steaming mug of the hot stuff.

Toilets

Functional and clean. No problems here.

MATCH FACTS

Rustington 3

Christopher Darwin 16, 80;
James Bennett 22

Alfold 0

Attendance 25

Rustington
1. Sam Brock
2. Nicholas Precious
3. Regan Miles
4. Oliver Rowland
5. Jordan Farrell
6. Scott Edwards
7. Gavin Heater
8. Adam Goff
9. James Bennett
10. Stephen Kirkham
11. Christopher Darwin

Subs
12. Aaron Turek
14. Carl Bennett
15. D Barnes

Alfold
1. Ryan Matthews
2. Thomas May
3. Lee Smith
4. Gage Pestridge
5. Dale Miliam
6. Charlie Still
7. Jamie Hopkins
8. Ryan Pelham
9. David Burke
10. Jack Pestridge
11. Andy Sullivan

Subs
12. Lawrence Gates
14. J Stilgoe

SCOUTING REPORT

Coming out three nil winners, you would have thought that Rustington would be extremely happy with their day at the office. But aside from the stellar performance from Christopher Darwin there were a number of question marks. The midfield lacked bite and the defence looked sluggish when turned. But they did break with speed and were extremely good at getting shots on target, which will be something to build on the remainder of the season.

As for the visitors, and despite the heavy loss on paper, they have a lot to be pleased with. They passed the ball well and pressed hard throughout. And in the goalkeeper Ryan Matthews they ave an extremely good shot stopper. But the lack of a sturdy back line means they’ll be mid table at best this season.

STORRINGTON: No love lost in Old Farm Derby

December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 / admin / Leave a comment

Welcome to The Rec

Storrington vs Steyning Town
Storrington Recreation Ground
SCFL Division One
December 29
Attendance 102

Football is more much important than life and death, the former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly is alleged to have said. And so the beautiful game, while offering us some of the more memorable and serene moments in history, also has served up some of strongest and vicious rivalries known to man. Rangers vs Celtic in Scotland, River vs Boca in Argentina, the Netherlands vs West Germany – all are full of passion and high stakes on and off the pitch.

The teams emerge

Such is football’s reach that rivalries like it exist across the world. And Sussex is no different, with the teams from two rural towns on the edge of the South Downs more famous for their farm shops coming together twice a year for a no holds bar clash – yes’s it’s the Old Farm Derby between the Swans of Storrington and the Barrowmen of Steyning Town.

Swans go close – but the header clips the top of the bar

The scene for this mighty clash (which I presume is a country-fied take on the Auld Firm north of the border) was Storrington’s Recreation Ground, the home of the Swans, who were soaring in third place of Division One. Located just a little out of town on the Pulborough Road, on paper the ground sounded like a village green-type set up (nothing wrong with that). And this was backed up when driving through the market town with it’s quaint high street full of boutiques and interior design stores. A fierce footballing rivalry seemed very far fetched. But on arrival at the car park, which is also used for the leisure centre, it was a nice surprise to see a very clean, modern set up with a two-storey clubhouse and welcoming smiles from the committee. Even better there were plenty of people prepared to swap turkey for Swans and grab some fresh air to blow away the Christmas cobwebs.

Swans go a goal up with a Iain Jarvie free kick…

Taking a little while to get acclimatised, the clubhouse was located up the stairs above the changing rooms. It offered a decent cup of tea (with a free Bourbon biscuit) and a lovely elevated views of the pitch. I could have quite easily sat back in a comfy chair to take in the action from this lofty perch. But this was no time for the World War One General perspective;this was a game of high stakes and the only place to take it in was the front line.

…cue celebrations

The match itself was exactly what you’d expect from a derby game in front of a decent crowd: plenty of strong challenges, a fair bit of shouting and lots of slipping over. Both sides struggled to get into the game, with the wind and wet pitch not doing much to help things.

In the first half Steyning, who hadn’t played a competitive match for nearly three weeks, had the majority of the possession and looked dangerous when they got the ball forward for the speedy frontman Craig Knowles to run on to. But, they didn’t create much and it was the home side who had the better of the chances, hitting the bar with a looping header.

The second followed shortly after…

Into the second half and the Swans’ match fitness began to tell. Pressing high, they squeezed the Barrowmen and the pressure began to tell. Just after the hour mark, the home side were awarded a free kick which Iain Jarvie drilled along the floor and it slipped through the visiting keeper’s finger’s into the bottom corner. Moments later and it was two, with new signing Barney Boutwood scoring with his first touch, the wind getting hold of a lofted 25 yard strike taking it into the net.

…it was all too much for one of the Barrowmen.

And that was that. Bragging rights for another few months remain with the Swans. And as they soar high, the Barrowmen have plenty of work to do to dig themselves out of a tricky league position. That’ll give those in the farm shops and boutiques plenty to talk about come Monday morning.

THE ESSENTIALS

Storrington FC
Recreation Ground
Pulborough Road
Storrington
West Sussex
RH20 4HJ

www.pitchero.com/clubs/storringtonfc
@storringtonfc

Getting there and away

Car: From the east, travel on the A283 to Storrington either off the A24 from Worthing / Horsham or A27 at Shoreham. Pass through Storrington village and the recreation ground is located on the right, just past the petrol station on the left, opposite the pond. From the west, travel on the A27 and join the A29 at Fontwell. Then take the B2139 (Amberley Road), and turn left onto the A283. The ground is located behind the cricket club and leisure centre at the far end of the recreation ground.

Nearest station: Amberley (four miles)

Bus: there are a number of local services. But if you speak to the locals, they’re far too infrequent and unreliable. Check local listings.

Programme

None available as the printers were closed for Christmas. Shame.

Clubhouse

Very smart, obviously done up recently. And the welcome was one of the warmest Nomad has experienced so far. But the bumper Christmas crowd did cause a few problems as at half time it was so packed Nomad couldn’t get close to grabbing a cup of tea.

Food and drink

Better than most but a few gripes. The first was that there seemed to be no hot food on offer. Not that I needed it after festive feasting. The second was that there were no ales on tap. When quizzed, I was told the club can’t guarantee the whole barrel will get drunk with cancellations more common than matches this time of year. But the tea was good. And it came with biscuit too. Bonus.

Toilets

Modern, clean and all in workable order. If I was nit picking I’d bemoan the watered down soap and the non-drying hand dryers.

MATCH FACTS

Storrington 2
Iain Jarvie 65;
Barney Boutwood 76

Steyning Town 0

Attendance 102

Storrington
1. Gary Elliott
2. Adam Bardouleau
3. Jack Boxall
4. Sam Elliott
5. Iain Jarvie
6. Joshua Gibbons
7. John Rhodie
8. Gary Peters
9. Luke Jearum
10. Joseph Stakim
11. Joe Warner

Subs
12. Callum Bester
14. Barney Boutwood
15. Thomas Taylor

Steyning Town

1. Ben Rose
2. Shaun Skipper
3. Rob Hare
4. Ashley Elms
5. Ashley Finch
6. Kerry Parsons
7. Craig Knowles
8. Matt Dodd
9. Lewis Levoi
10. Lee Garnham
11. Ollie Hartley

The view from the clubhouse

Subs
12. George McMahon
14. Jake Chadwick
15. Joe Assefi
16. Karim Bukleb

SCOUTING REPORT

Flying high in the league I was expecting a lot from Storrington. Like so many teams at this level their success is down to hard work and endeavour, making sure they press high and take their chances when served up. It wasn’t the night to make fair judgement on players but Luke Jearum was a constant menace to Steyning’ back three. I expect more from recent signing Barney Boutwood too as the season continues. And while they currently sit in second, there’s plenty still to do if they reach the aim of promotion.

As for Steyning and it seems their amazing cup runs are taking their toll on league form. When I saw them earlier in the season they were full of crisp passing from the back and hard running. But on the wet boggy pitches of winter time, this tactic can get them in to trouble. They also look short of a few goals. While they are currently just above the dropzone, I expect them to finish comfortably in mid table come May.

GALLERY: Storrington vs Steyning Town

December 30, 2015 / admin / Leave a comment

Storrington 2
Steyning Town 0
SCFL Division One
Recreation Ground
December 29

GALLERY: Arundel vs Chichester City

December 21, 2015 / admin / Leave a comment

Arundel 0
Chichester City 0
SCFL Premier Division
Mill Road
December 19

Welcome to Mill Road

The tea shack has a roaring trade in this weather

The clubhouse

Half time: Arundel 0 Chichester City 0

Can you spot the castle?

The clubhouse

A room with a view

The holy grail…but this net remained untouched all afternoon

The gaffer’s weren’t happy

The hefty challenges kept on coming

Arundel bombarded the box late on looking for a winner

“Can the last person leaving the ground please turn the lights off…”

Full time: Arundel 0 Chi 0…

…time to hit the showers…

GALLERY: Lancing vs Whitehawk

December 5, 2015December 31, 2015 / admin / Leave a comment

Lancing 1
Whitehawk 4
Sussex Senior Cup, second round
Culver Road
November 10

Welcome to Culver Road

At the turnstile

The future is 3G….

The teams emerge

The essentials

And we’re underway…

Early free kick for the Pink Hawks

Nice possession from home side

No need for the second turnstile tonight

Decent crowd in for a Tuesday night

The plastic pitch made pass and move a regular sight

Lancing press forward

The Hawks go one up

Half time and the Hawks are two up

The clubhouse

Home of the county FA

The half time rush for the bar

The committee room

Culver Road under the lights

“Can we have our ball back?”

Back out for the second half

View from the dugout

Corner time

The YAWA dugout

Lancing look to counter

Hawks boss Steve King is rarely happy

Fancy looking subs board

The Hawks Ultras

Hawks push forward again

The Hawks make it four

In control – another attack is repelled by the Pink visitors

Lancing get one back with a fine strike

…cue celebrations

Full time Lancing 1 Whitehawk 4

NEWHAVEN: Sitting on the dock…

December 5, 2015December 5, 2015 / admin / Leave a comment

Welcome to the Trafalgar Ground

Newhaven vs Haywards Heath Town
Fort Road
Sussex RUR charity cup, quarter final
December 1
Attendance 79

For years, Newhaven has been a bit of a forgotten town. Sat at the mouth of the River Ouse, the wide expanse of water is it’s lifeblood with a harbour at the heart providing a large number of jobs for those living on the surrounding hills. But because of these industrial roots, it’s become a place that those living in the surrounding areas of Brighton, Lewes and Seaford poke fun at. Particularly when the addition of an incinerator led to it being renamed “Poohaven”.

The flag flies high above the turnstile

One thing that definitely doesn’t stink though is the town’s football team. After years of hard times the club is on the way up. Formed in 1887, Newhaven FC is one of the oldest in Sussex but for too long it languished in the lower leagues. Two consecutive promotions in 2011/12 and 2012/13 saw them reach the now Premier Division of the Southern Combination Football League. Building on these blocks the club now is at the top end of the league and pushing for promotion. At least that was until they lost their four games in all competitions, all of them at home.

Speaking of home, Fort Road is the base. Standing towards the end of a long spur which houses one of Palmerston’s Follies is an open expanse of green space. And on a mild winter’s night with a swirling wind, the floodlights beam out making it clear where The Dockers ply their trade – even if the modern trappings of sponsorship has seen it renamed the Trafalgar Ground in recent years.

The opponents for the evening in the quarter finals of the RUR Charity Cup were Haywards Heath Town, a team which despite being from a division below certainly played with the spirit and quality of one that knew it could be successful at a higher level. Having witnessed the visitors knocking out bog boys Horsham in a previous round, I knew that stage was set for a close one.

The Dockers celebrate an early goal. 1-0

The only problem was the Dockers had not read the script. Nomad was still grabbing a cup of tea from the temporary clubhouse down near the entrance gate when the first cheer went up. A long ball in wasn’t cleared and Joe Dryer smashed home from the edge of the box. 1-0 Dockers.

The rest of the half was a little disappointing. Both sides lacked confidence, either through a bad run of form (Newhaven) or a much-changed side (Heath). The uneven pitch made it difficult for the visitors to play their usual keep ball. The result was that they joined the home side in going direct. And when this didn’t work frustration set in. It was a bit of a surprise then when they managed to grab an equaliser on the stroke of half time, Josh Bryant heading home a corner after some slack defending.

Bryant heads home after some sloppy defending…

I was hoping for more in the second half but aside from a few silly challenges and bit of argy bargy, the football was disappointing. However it did give me chance to mount the two tier stand and get perhaps the best view in non-league football in Sussex. Perched high above the action and sheltered from any breeze, it was clear why most of the 90-or-so watching chose to perch up here. They were a noisy bunch and while they did have their funny moments, the odd likening of the officials to King Cnut (at least an anagram of that) was not necessary.

Handbags at half-way line

Fortunately there was a distraction in that you could see perfectly the changes off the pitch that the committee have overseen in recent years, not least the installation on three sides of green seats that Brighton and Hove Albion will remember from the Withdean years. I gather more work is expected soon with the two tier stand being converted into changing rooms and a clubhouse. Beyond the pitch there was the bonus of seeing the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry lit in the distance.

Dockers by name…. spot the cross-channel ferry in the background

Back to the action and Heath looked more dangerous in the second half with the addition of Callum Saunders and Rob O’Toole. But the Dockers remained strong and sturdy, looking a continual threat on the break. They hit the bar once and had other shots cleared. If their number nine was as quick of mind as he was of foot then the game could have been over sooner than it was.

The winner came with five minutes to go. Heath were pouring forward and an O’Toole cross found it’s way to Saunders who’s shot was superbly saved by Jake Buss. The ball was cleared and Ebou Jallow raced clear, poking the ball past the onrushing Town goalkeeper for Ollie Davies to prod home.

…cue celebrations. 2-1

On reflection, the winner was probably what both sides wanted as extra time would have been an additional drain on the squad when the main focus for both must be the league. While the football was not pretty, I left knowing that I’d seen two of the better sides in the Combi and would not be surprised to see both with a boarding pass to a higher division come the end of the season.

THE ESSENTIALS

Welcome to Fort Road

Newhaven FC
The Trafalgar Ground,
Fort Road,
Newhaven,
East Sussex
BN9 9DA

www.newhavenfc.co.uk
@newhavenfc

Getting there and away

Car: Follow the signs for the town centre until you reach the one way system on the the A259. Turn left into South Road (past the Police Station) which becomes Fort Road. The ground is visible on the right just past a small parade of shops and before the approach road to Newhaven Fort.

The clubhouse

Nearest station: Newhaven Town (15 minute walk)

Bus: number 12 between Brighton and Eastbourne is regular and drops off in the town centre, a short ten minute walk to the ground.

Programme

£1 for 24 pages. Fully in colour and packed full of features this was one of the best I’d seen at this level. Nice features from the vice chairman and the manager were good reads, while the addition of an under 21 update and “when we last met” feature was excellent. But it was little things that stood out – such as the clear design, up-to-date tables for all levels and clear team list on the back. Worth every penny.

A snippet of the Docker’s historic past

Food and drink

Two cups of tea for a pound each from a very cheery lady in the hut did the job on a chilly but not freezing evening. The chips looked tempting and sold like hot cakes but Nomad’s waist line needs a breather before the festive rush.

Clubhouse

The very impressive main stand containing some of Albion’s former Withdean home

Temporarily housed in a couple of portacabins near the entrance gate, I wasn’t expecting much when I walked in. But inside was a true warm welcome with a well-stocked bar, cracking tea hut and plenty of memorabilia on the wall of sides from yesteryear. As good as it was I’m guessing the committee can’t wait to swap and uneven looking table and plastic chairs for spacious surroundings when the work on the stand is complete.

Toilets

Took me a while to find them, being located a long way from the main stand. Like the clubhouse they are a temporary fix which have been spruced up as best as possible. Frequented a lot worse.

MATCH FACTS

Newhaven 2
Joe Dryer (3); Ollie Davies (86)

Haywards Heath Town
Josh Bryant (42)

Attendance 79

Newhaven

The teams

1. Jake Buss
2. Daniel Murray
3. Scott Edwards
4. Jayson Sowter
5. Ryan Knight
6. Conor Sidwell
7. Olly Davies
8. James Rhodes
9. Connor Jones
10. Ebou Jallow
11. Joe Dryer

Subs
12. Wes Millis
14. Rob Boddy
15. Craig Bunch
16. Ryan Walton
17. Kyle Woolven

Given the bobbly pitch think a new roller was needed…

Haywards Heath Town
1. Simon Lehkyj
2. Jordan Harris
3. Bailie Rogers
4. Matt Geard
5. Nathan Cooper
6. Josh Bryant
7. Danny Turner
8. Scott Marshall
9. Freddie Barker
10. Max Miller
11. Jamie Weston

Subs
12. Callum Saunders
14. Rob O’Toole
15. Carl Dunk
16. Ryan Warwick
17. Tom Graves

Scouting report

I arrived with high hopes and was a little disappointed with both teams to be honest. Newhaven had been flying high but a bad run at home in recent weeks meant they looked like a team with little confidence. The team are a bunch of fighters though and urged on Ryan Knight and Connor Sidwell they somehow came through on top. Striker Connor Jones looked dangerous with his pace although he needs to time his runs better to avoid the offside flag so much.

Full time and Newhaven win through to the semi finals

Town made a number of changes from their league team and you could tell as they never really got going. The uneven pitch did little for their hopes of possession football so they very quickly reverted to a much more direct route. Josh Bryant was probably the stand out over the 90 but Rob O’Toole and Callum Saunders added much needed attacking impetus when they came on early in the second half.