Newhaven produce best yet to beat Ascot ... mixed day for Ringmer AFC

Newhaven joint manager Sean Breach praised his side for their ‘best performance of the season so far’ after they beat Ascot United 4-1 at the Trafalgar Ground to progress to the second round of the FA Vase.
Action from Newhaven's win over Ascot / Picture: Tommy McMillanAction from Newhaven's win over Ascot / Picture: Tommy McMillan
Action from Newhaven's win over Ascot / Picture: Tommy McMillan

Heavy rain in the hours leading up to the game saw parts of the pitch waterlogged, but an immense effort from volunteers saw the water cleared and the game was able to go ahead after a 15-minute delay to kick off.

The Dockers have made a habit of scoring early recently, and Saturday’s fixture was no different as Charlie Bennett scored his first Newhaven goal - finding the top right corner after Ian Robinson and Alfie Rogers had combined from a corner, in just the ninth minute.

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The home side doubled their advantage midway through the half with an excellent goal involving the front three. James Jeffrey drove forward and found Alfie Rogers, he then beat a sliding defender before squaring to Lee Robinson for the easiest of tap-ins.

Remarkably this pre-match scene didn't stop Newhaven v Ascot going ahead / Picture: Tommy McMillanRemarkably this pre-match scene didn't stop Newhaven v Ascot going ahead / Picture: Tommy McMillan
Remarkably this pre-match scene didn't stop Newhaven v Ascot going ahead / Picture: Tommy McMillan

The advantage was halved by the visitors six minutes later as another well worked goal saw James Richardson finish from close range to get his team back in the game.

Newhaven were defending well, and eight minutes after half-time extended their lead again. Ian Robinson picked the ball up just past the halfway line, drove forward at pace and confidently finished across the goalkeeper with his left foot.

The visitors threw men forward to try and get back in the game again and defender Dan Bailey twice went close, but on both occasions missed the target after getting on the end of in-swinging corners.

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The hosts, however, had the final say when substitute Aaron Winser’s cross from the left was tapped home by Lee Robinson in stoppage time as it finished 4-1.

“I felt this was our best performance of the season so far,” said a jubilant Breach after. “Every one of the players were superb and 4-1 flattered them in the end.

“Firstly, a huge shout out must go to the committee and volunteers for getting the game on. The pitch was playable at midday and then we had a huge downpour which left flooding in one corner, but they worked their magic and I am so pleased we put on a performance to match their efforts.

“I also felt the referee, Dan Jeffery, dealt with the situation superbly.

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“On the pitch the players were exceptional. We trained on Thursday and worked on a couple of areas and the session was the best Cooky and I have seen in the near seven years in charge. And we felt the lads took this into Saturday. It was great to see.

“The goals we scored were of very high quality. They were struggling to deal with the wide areas where Billy Barker and Ian Robinson were causing a lot of problems. They played a diamond overload in the midfield but were unable to overcome us and Seb Saunders, Charlie Bennett and Alfie Rogers dominated the game.

“Towards the end Ascot went more direct, as you’d expect, throwing their big defender up, but we dealt with everything they threw at us superbly and countered a number of times forcing their keeper into a few great saves.

“Ascot are a great side and doing really well in their league so this will give the lads the confidence now to believe that we can really push on this season.”

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Newhaven: Buss, Barker, I Robinson (Winser 90), Watson, Beale, B Rogers, Bennett, Saunders, L Robinson, A Rogers (Dryer 81), Jeffrey (Woolven 74).

One win, one defeat for Ringmer AFC before lockdown

Ringmer AFC

With the first and fourth teams' games falling foul of the weather, there was a double header at Kings Academy 3G for the club to try to finish on a positive note before lockdown kicks in.

Ringmer AFC 2s 2 Eastbourne Rangers 2s 6

Ringmer started well with plenty of possession and a neat tight passing game. They fully deserved to take the lead halfway through the first half with a fine strike by Tyler Watson, rifling a free kick into the top corner of the Eastbourne goal from 25 yards. However just before half-time a defensive error allowed all the time and space an Eastbourne forward needed to calmly slot home.

Ringmer were forced to make a change following a shoulder injury to Will May, who had been influential in the centre of the park. The second half was a totally different game with Eastbourne dominant and scoring at will. With the score 6-1 the game was over before MoM Watson scored his second as a consolation.

Rinmger AFC 3s 3 Ansty Sports and Social Club 2

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Ringmer AFC threes made it an unbeaten October. With three wins and two draws, manager Mark Hutchings was still kicking himself at the late equaliser conceded v Ridgewood and the missed chances against Brighton Medical School, which could have made it five wins in the month. He felt his team’s performances through October deserved more than the 11 points gained from 15 on offer.

Playing into a strong wind in first half it took time for Ringmer to settle, looking a little edgy against a very strong and well organised Ansty, whose lowly league position is a surprise. However, on 25 minutes, pressure from Joshua Dean on the Ansty full-back created a defensive error, allowing Charlie Branton to convert well with a chip over the Ansty goalkeeper. Ringmer started to settle but were caught out as Ansty equalised on 38 minutes, a goal that their efforts had deserved.

Shortly before half-time, Ringmer switched from 442 to 433 and started to gain control in the midfield and a substitution at half-time paid dividends immediately after the restart, with debutant Jonathan Nussey smashing home to make it 2-1.

The game remained tight and Ansty equalised when the Ringmer midfield and defence allowed the lively Ansty striker to skip past several challenges before slotting home. Further changes were made and it was one of those subs, Jake Barber, who linked with Charlie Branton before hitting shot from 20 yards which looped over the keeper with a wicked deflection. With Ringmer back line growing into the game, the solid defensive play, that has been the bedrock of season, returned to see them through to the end.

Hutchings and Alan Parris were pleased with improvements from players during October and attitude shown throughout... so different to that opening day defeat at Wivelsfield.

MOM: James Peck

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