Results

Newhaven crashed out of the FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday, but put up one hell of a fight in this 2nd Qualifying Round match against Raynes Park Vale. It was a game that went one way, then the other, but the Combined Counties Premier Division team just had too much for their Intermediate opponents in extra-time.

Newhaven went behind early on but led at half-time with goals from Lee Robinson and Tyler Goatcher. Raynes Park came out strong in the second half and scored twice to take the lead again. Goatcher equalised with five minutes to go to take the game in to extra-time. Raynes Park then scored in each half of the extra 30 minutes to win the game and earn a tie at Peacehaven in the next round.

There were a couple of changes from the win over Rottingdean last time out. James Holman was unavailable so Daniel Murray filled in at left-back. Mark Probert returned in the centre of midfield and Luke Duchossoy came in for Gary Holmes on the left of a front three.

Newhaven started the game slowly and after only 10 minutes they went behind. A long kick forward from Dean Cupit, in the Raynes Park goal, was not defended well. Joe Chalcraft stole in ahead of Scott Edwards and placed a shot past Graham Leach to give the home side the lead.

This seemed to serve as a bit of a wake up call for Newhaven who began to play some football. And just 8 minutes later they were level. Goatcher retrieved the ball out on the left side of the pitch, he passed inside to Probert who took a touch in to the penalty area and sent a left footed ball across the six yard box. Robinson was running in from the right and didn’t have to break stride to get on the end of the cross and tuck away the equaliser.

There were chances at either end that went begging. But with just five minutes to go until half-time Newhaven took the lead. Robinson worked some space down the right, getting past Mark Waters, and sent in a low square ball to Goatcher. His first attempt was saved but he managed to scramble the ball in to the back of the net to give the SCFL Division Three side the lead.

There was still time for one more Newhaven chance. Robinson played a one-two with Kerry Mayo and sent a through ball to Goatcher. Cupit came rushing out and Goatcher, caught in two minds, sent his shot against the legs of the ‘keeper. Mayo’s follow up was cleared and the whistle sounded for half-time.

Newhaven again started the half slowly and Raynes Park, with a lot more intent to their game, levelled after just ten minutes. A cross from the left was tapped in at the back post by Chalcraft, although Newhaven will feel they could of defended the throw-in that led to the cross a little better.

Raynes Park had a chance to take the lead soon after when a Leach save fell at the feet of Simon Moore, but he could only see his shot hit the post with the goal gaping. The hosts did get their noses in front on 73 minutes. Anthony Vine, whos pace and trickery was a constant threat, sent a cross in from the right that looped over everyone and went in off the far post.

Newhaven now had to push for an equaliser and it came with five minutes to go. Robinson played a one-two with Ryan Walton and found himself one-on-one with the Raynes Park centre back Danny Alderton. Robinson got the ball on to his left foot but his shot lacked power. Fortunately for Newhaven the ball fell for Goatcher to poke in to make it 3-3 and force extra-time.

The first half of extra-time saw Newhaven on the back foot but still hanging in. That was until the 98th minute when a defence splitting pass was chased down and finished well by Player X, lobbing the ball over the helpless Graham Leach.

Newhaven, again chasing the game, switched to a 3-5-2 formation to try and salvage something from the tie. And they thought they had equalised with five minutes to go. Keegan Gwendu was fouled out on the right. Murray sent in a deep free-kick that was met by the head of Barry Knight. His header fell to the feet of Walton who fired in to an empty net, only for the referee, who had earlier missed a head injury for one of the Raynes Park centre backs, to blow for a free-kick claiming that Knight had pushed his marker.

That was to be the final chance for Newhaven as Raynes Park nicked a fifth late on. A stray pass in midfield was pounced upon by Player Y and with just Leach to beat he placed his shot in to the bottom right corner.

An excellent performance by Newhaven but Raynes Park proved too strong in extra-time.

Team:

1. Graham Leach
2. Matt Harrison
3. Daniel Murray
4. Mark Probert (14. Ryan Walton)
5. Barry Knight (c)
6. Scott Edwards
7. Lee Robinson
8. Sean Breach
9. Tyler Goatcher
10. Kerry Mayo (16. Gary Holmes)
11. Luke Duchossoy (12. Keegan Gwendu)