Westfield Res vs Newhaven Res

vs
29 March 2014
Score: 3 - 3

Match Report

The Reserves made the long trip to Westfield and returned with a valuable point. After finding themselves 3-0 down after half an hour they battled back to draw 3-3 with goals from Chris Geer, the returning Jack Webber and Panos Markakis in the last minute.

With both the First Team and Reserves squads stretched to the limits the line up included Dan Breach in goal making his first appearance for over two years. In came James Woods at left back for only his second start of the season, and with injury doubts over Steve Low and Simon Blaxall the team was patched up and sent out.

In the first 15 minutes the Dockers looked in control and there were good chances for Markakis who sent a dipping volley just wide of the up right. Then Stevenson had a good chance at the far post which was saved by the keeper. Then against the run of play Markakis conceded a free kick out wide and Westfield took the lead when Chris Smith whipped in a cross shot that evaded everyone and nestled in the far corner of the net.

For the next 15 minutes the Dockers were all over the place with the defence playing awkward back passes to Breach and further needless free kicks being given away and it wasn’t long before Westfield got their second.

Another bad back pass on a bobbly pitch was hard for Breach and his clearance went wide and was played to the striker who crashed a shot against the post and as it came back the striker stooped low to head the ball into the net but a high foot from Mctiffen resulted in a penalty and Peter Baker made no mistake from the spot (2-0).

The third was to follow when the Newhaven defence didn’t deal with another long ball and as it fell to Billy Driver he turned Woods in the box and scored past Breach (3-0).

It seemed a long way back now for the Dockers against a Westfield side content to play long from back to front and at every opportunity.

However on 36 minutes the Dockers won a free kick just inside the Westfield half. Mctiffen sent the ball deep into the penalty area where Harrison flicked the ball onto Geer who headed home (3-1). This gave the Dockers a glimmer of hope at half time.

A few strong words at half time sent the Dockers out with some renewed energy however they still struggled to cope with the direct football played by the hosts. With an hour played Andy Cook made the first change and took the gamble of bringing on Webber for his first action since a serious ankle injury just after Christmas. Chris Geer was also pushed up top with Blaxall dropping into midfield and Stevenson making way as the Dockers went 4-3-3.

This seemed to work as the Dockers began to press and gain a bit more control. The best move of the game then followed as Woods played the ball out from left back to Geer who flicked on for Robinson on the left wing. He flew past the full back and pulled the ball back to Webber who controlled and turned to fire a left foot shot into the net for his 13th league goal of the season. The Dockers sensed they could get something out of the game.

Markakis then had a chance with a shot from a tight angle, Low had a header from a Mctiffen free kick but a clear cut chance could not be created. At the other end the defence were standing strong but always under pressure. With time running out Low pushed further up the pitch as the Dockers went all out attack. With a minute to go the ball was flicked onto Blaxall who went to crash a volley goalwards but mis-timed it and as it ran towards the keeper Markakis was sharp and onto it and managed to get there first and poke it into the corner of the net for the deserved equaliser.

The final whistle soon came and the Dockers had accomplished a great comeback.

With four games to go four points separates the top 5 teams. In what has proved to be an excellent season in Reserve Section East Newhaven Reserves have all to play for going into April.

Newhaven: Dan Breach, Ben Robertson, James Woods (Nigel Mayo), Joe Mctiffen (c), Steve Low, Matt Harrison, Chris Geer, Tom Stevenson (Jack Webber), Ian Robinson (Joss Slowey), Simon Blaxall, Panos Markakis. Unused subs: Paul Whitmore, Andy Cook.
Booked: McTiffen

Referee: David Pilling