Results

Newhaven 2-1 Pagham (HT 1-0)
Lee Robinson 25, Callum Connor 66; Josh Clack 46

A goal from 18-year-old Callum Connor helped Newhaven end a run of nine straight defeats as they beat Pagham 2-1 at Fort Road on Saturday afternoon.

That dismal run had seen the Dockers crash out of both the Sussex Senior Cup and John O’Hara Cup, as well as fall to 15th in Sussex County Football League Division One.

But there was finally some light at the end of what has been a dark tunnel, as a make-shift Newhaven team earned a much needed three points.

There were three players making their Dockers debuts – 17-year-old goalkeeper Joe Walker, Reserve defender Calum Burnett and new midfield signing Jack Pettett were all thrown straight in to the action.

With Manager Sean Breach away – and assistant Andy Cook taking up his usual role with the Reserves – Kieran Ridley was left in charge, with Jason Tighe lending an experienced helping hand.

An understandably shaky start from the Dockers was forgotten when Lee Robinson scored his second goal in as many matches, as he latched on to a pass from Craig Bunch and finished well past James Binfield.

The half-time interval worked in the visitor’s favour as Josh Clack broke free and equalised with the second half just a minute old.

But the determined Dockers were ahead again midway through the second half when Robinson closed down a Pagham defender and unselfishly squared for Connor who rolled the ball in for 2-1.

Having not won a game since the 14th January Newhaven were fairly cautious, and had Walker to thank for a couple of decent saves, but the remaining time saw seen out reasonably comfortably.

Newhaven: Joe Walker, Josh Burns, James Holman, Dean Gilmour, Dave Altendorff (c), Calum Burnett, Lee Robinson, James McKenzie, Craig Bunch (Callum Connor), Jack Pettett, Tyler Goatcher. Unused subs: Fenton Boaks, Toby Wilkinson.
Booked: None

Attendance: 44
Referee: Ian Homewood