After three back-to-back league victories to start 2025 (as a reminder, cup matches haven been expunged from memory) Newhaven welcomed Crawley Down Gatwick to Fort Road yesterday afternoon.

Runners-up in the league just two seasons ago, Crawley Down are back in the play-off chase this time around, whilst also enjoying a decent FA Vase run which ended just a couple of weeks ago.

Having lost at their place in a seven-goal thriller back in August, this was always likely to be a tough first home match in charge for interim manager’s Ryan Walton and Clive Blunt.

And it certainly appeared that way after an opening ten minutes in which the visitors were wholly dominant and already a goal to the good.

The Anvils were almost in on goal in the opening ten seconds, could have had a couple more by the second minute, and had it not been for a Jack Webb-Olley save five minutes later, would have been in front then.

It seemed like a goal was coming. And it was.

From a corner, Sammy Clements found himself free inside the six-yard box and he headed home to give the visitors the lead.

A torrid afternoon seemed to be on the cards for Newhaven, but the Dockers actually responded very well to conceding.

Bailie Rogers and Jake Robinson (twice) both had chances to equalise, while Jake looked to have been hauled down for a stonewall penalty that was subsequently waved away, before the eldest Robinson brother did haul us level on 18 minutes.

Ryan Warwick did well to nick the ball in an advanced area, and his through ball set Jake away and he powered his effort past the keeper.

On 25 minutes, Jake was close to a second, when Ian Robinson’s brilliant cross-field ball found his brother at the far post, but his subsequent shot from a tight angle went just wide.

Ten minutes later, Crawley Down had a great chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. Ian Robinson’s clearance off the line with the aid of his hand left many fearing that a red card may be incoming. Luckily, the ref chose to not even issue a yellow, which suggests that the ball may have actually been heading wide.

Clements stepped up to take the spot kick but was denied by a fine diving Webb-Olley save. The rebound was scrambled away as Newhaven survived.

Unfortunately for us, it was a reprieve that wouldn’t last long.

Just three minutes after the penalty save, a crossed Lewis Gould free-kick evaded everyone and somehow found its way through the crowded penalty area into the bottom corner.

Still Newhaven had a couple of half opportunities to equalise before the break. Bailie Rogers volleyed over before Josh Tuck failed to connect with an inviting floated Warwick free-kick.

The Dockers trailed at the interval, but had probably created more chances in the opening 45 minutes than they had in any half for quite a while.

The signs were promising that the game wasn’t done yet.

Indeed, within three minutes of the restart, the Dockers were level.

Ian Robinson did brilliantly down the left before standing up a cross to the far post where Dexter Lambert marked his first senior start with a goal, courtesy of a diving header.

Alas, the teams weren’t level for long.

From their very next attack, Crawley Down were back in front, capitalising on a misplaced pass and breaking at pace before Sam Schaff tapped in from close-range.

Tuck then produced a brilliant block to stop the Anvils scoring another immediately after, as Newhaven rocked.

With almost an hour played, Crawley Down did grab a fourth. As with the second goal there was more than an element of luck to the goal as Gould’s shanked cross completely deceived Webb-Olley and somehow ended up in the back of the net.

Once again, Newhaven responded positively. Warwick went close after being slid in by Jake Robinson, while Tuck headed over from a corner.

With Newhaven pushing for a way back in the game, Crawley Down grabbed a fifth. Another quick break culminated with Callum Kilkenny firing in at the near post.

Watching, it was hard to quite believe the score-line. Newhaven had more than matched their visitors in terms of chances, but the Anvils’ clinical edge was giving the scoreline a very unflattering edge.

Still Newhaven continued to push. Warwick went close again, shooting wide from a tight angle, before in injury time the Dockers did bring a degree of respectability to the score.

Two Under 23s combined as Mufaro Huchu slid through Lambert, and the youngster made no mistake to grab his second of the game.

In all honesty, this was a hard game to analyse. The result is, of course, disappointing, as is letting in five goals at home. But there was much to like about the Dockers going forward, as they created plenty of opportunities in both halves, and on another day could have easily scored more.

Lambert also shone on his first start and fully deserved his brace.

If we can find a way to stop conceding soft goals, while maintaining our attacking edge, an entertaining end to the season could still beckon.

It’s another tough assignment next weekend when we travel to Crowborough, before hosting Haywards Heath a week later.

Your support at both games would be most welcome.

Come On You Dockers!

My man of the match (aka, the controversial part): Dexter Lambert. As well as grabbing two goals, the youngster was full of energy down the right, and fully justified his selection. You also get the feeling there’s more to come from him yet…