Newhaven bow out of FA Vase - Seaford have night to forget

Newhaven joint-manager Andy Cook said he was pleased with his side’s performance, despite an FA Vase exit in a penalty shootout against Binfield at the Trafalgar Ground on Saturday.

It was the Dockers’ first match after the second national lockdown – having only been able to train once ahead of the game – and they were made to rue missed chances as it ended 2-2 after 90 minutes and then 4-1 to the visitors on penalties.

Newhaven went ahead early as Ian Robinson’s low strike from the edge of the box beat keeper Chris Grace in just the 13th minute.

Charlie Bennett and Freddie Beale saw good chances go begging but Newhaven were undone in a six-minute second half spell. The visitors rallied after half-time and a double from captain Sean Moore turned it round.

The home side levelled with 13 minutes left as substitute Kyle Woolven scored with his first kick.

The game went to penalties and Lee Robinson scored but Alfie Rogers and Ian Robinson both saw theirs saved, Binfield scoring all four of their spot kicks.

“It was tough due to the lottery of penalties,” said Cook. “However, we should have won the game in 90 minutes as we were the better side.

“I don’t think many could argue with that, as apart from perhaps a ten-minute spell in the first half and the opening 15 minutes of the second half we were in control.

“We deservedly went one up and we continued to open up their defence and dominate the midfield.

“Breachy [Sean Breach, joint-manager] and I were very pleased at half time but knew the second half would be hard as Binfield are a decent side

“What was disappointing was the two goals we conceded early in the second half. One was very direct straight and should have been dealt with, and the second was a break which left us 3 v 3.

“But we came back into it and Kyle Woolven’s equaliser was much deserved and he had only been on the pitch for ten seconds! When it goes to penalties you just hope luck is on your side, but credit to Binfield who took their kicks well and their keeper made some good saves .

“Now we focus on the league.”

The Dockers are next in competitive action when they welcome Horley on Saturday 19. But they go to Hastings for a friendly tomorrow.

* Seaford Town’s return to league action proved to be a bitter one as they were defeated 2-1 by Hailsham Town at The Crouch.

Despite having the majority of possession and creating numerous chances throughout the game, they were unable to convert when it mattered, allowing the visitors to come away with a win.

After a nervy first ten minutes in the frosty conditions, Seaford soon began to find their feet.

The most prominent chance fell to Simon Piper just before 20 minutes after a great ball over the top meant he was able to take the ball round the goalkeeper, but he could not find the finish.

Seaford, on several occasions, were hindered by their lack of killer instinct up front.

That was punished by the visitors on the 35-minute mark as Hailsham took the lead after a mov down the right found midfielder Ashley Jarvis in the box and he was able to finish at the near post.

It was a wake-up call for Seaford as just minutes later they were awarded a penalty after debutant Callum Edwards was brought down.

Up stepped Charlie Morley, who finished into the bottom corner.

The second half began with the home side continuing in the same vein.

Minutes into the half a number of chances arrived for Edwards, who got in threatening areas but was never able to finish.

With 52 minutes gone, there was a huge let-off for the home side: a pass back to the keeper was not properly dealt with, allowing the ball to seemingly cross the line before being cleared by Josh Measor. It was not given by the officials, amid uproar from the Hailsham contingent.

Seaford’s pressure slowly began to lessen as the half went on, opting to commit more bodies going forward in the hope of taking the lead.

To the home side’s despair Hailsham found the winner after a string of corners led to the ball being bundled in by forward Connor Townsend.

Seaford Town mManager Paul Wise praised the efforts of his players but insisted his side ‘needed to be more clinical’.

Hailsham are within one point of Seaford in the table.

- FINN HONEYWOOD