We traveled to Fort Road hampered by the absence of several key players. Missing on the night due to injury and various reasons were Lee Garnham, Callum Towse, Lewis Levoi, Ash Finch, Kerry Parsons, Jason Webb, Jordan Peskett (cup tied) and Alex Staines. However, Ben Rose, Craig Knowles and Ash Elms returned to the side with George McMahon, Ollie Pickup and Omar Selma coming back in off the bench. Lee Early dropped to the bench. Matt Dodd captain on the night.

So, on a chilly old night down by the docks we started the game brightly, passing the ball keenly looking for chances and more than matching our opponents, in fact it was us who nearly drew first blood when Craig Knowles and Rob Clark combined well to free Knowles to move in and shave their left upright with an angled drive.
At the back we defended well to absorb incoming pressure and contain their predatory leading scorer Lee Robinson.

However, on 14 minutes unfortunately we went behind. A deep cross from the left into our box found Dockers' front man Ebou Jallow who shook off his marker to head firmly past Rose. 1-0 Newhaven.
We did not let the set back deter us and continued to attack with some slick passing and strong running, in particularly from young Omar Selma. We almost got back into the game when a George McMahon free-kick from the left deflected off the shin of a Dockers defender in their goalmouth, sending his keeper full stretch to save on the line.

On the half-hour though we got what we deserved. McMahon lofted another free-kick into their penalty area which was only cleared as far as Rob Clark lurking on the edge of the box, who controlled well and rifled a great low shot through a forest of players and the keeper's hands to put us level. 1-1! Back in it!!

We had to continue to defend well with good solid stuff from Matt Dodd and Dan Gainsford but had a bit of a 'let off' near the break when a small slip in the box by Rob Hare let in Robinson who fortunately hit his shot too high. So level at the break and all to play for. Half-time Newhaven 1 Town 1

In the second-half, at the back we had to work very hard again as the Dockers took hold and piled on the pressure with Robinson a constant menace. But with Gainsford in command some stout, solid defending kept them at bay and indeed their final ball and general finishing were often lacking.

Substitutions were made with Lee Early replacing Selma and Joe Asseffi on for Shaun Skipper and there was a true belief that we would hang on for extra-time/penalties or even, with them looking vulnerable in places, go down their end and sneak it ourselves.
But, alas, on 86 minutes we gave way. Another cross from the left into our box found the head of Dockers' Ryan Knight who made no mistake picking his spot from close range. 2-1 Newhaven.

In the closing stages Adam Selma replaced Ash Elms and we rallied in pursuit of a late equalizer. A good long range effort from Knowles went just over and another chance from a corner bobbled narrowly wide of left, but unfortunately the tie had slipped away from us.
Yes, a bold and spirited performance against the current unbeaten Premier leaders and certainly a major improvement on last Saturday's trip to Sidlesham. Unlucky lads, great spirit, great effort!
Final score - Newhaven 2 Town 1

Town line up - Rose, Skipper (Asseffi), Hare, Dodd (capt), Gainsford, Pickup, Knowles, McMahon, Clark, O Selma (Early), Elms (A Selma)

Ref - Cieran Fidler Assts - Ken Brook & Gerald Miles