Little Common remain winless and pointless after they suffered a frustrating 3-1 home defeat to Newhaven at The Rec.
Like last season at this stage, Common find themselves in the SCFL premier division relegation zone following Tuesday night’s loss under the lights.
Playing against a fierce wind in the first half, Common trailed 1-0 at the break to a 23rd-minute header from Corey Smart from Lee Robinson’s hanging cross into the six-yard box.
Common pressed for an equaliser after the break as they pumped balls forward and forced a succession of corners. However, they were twice hit on the break in the closing minutes.
First, Ezra Roeg was sent racing away to blast past the exposed Matt Cruttwell in the 86th minute. Then, just four minutes later, winger Teddy Wood charged down the left, cut inside past two defenders, and rifled home the clincher.
Defender James White replied for the hosts in the fourth minute of stoppage time as he swept home after the Dockers failed to clear a corner but it was too little, too late.
Common contributed to their own downfall as they were down to ten men with a frustrated Sam Adams in the sin-bin for too much chat when Newhaven got their second on the break after intercepting a pass on the edge of their own box.
The visitors had been hanging on resolutely at that point but posing little threat as they struggled to get out of their half.
Chances were few are far between in the first half. The hosts’ Lewis Unwin had a great opening after six minutes but Richmond Osei’s stretching block forced a corner.
The Dockers then scored with their first real chance before Common player-boss Russell Eldridge’s free-kick brought a good save from Roman Chiosa.
The second half saw Adams have a half-volley deflect over while sub Lewis Hole could not keep another presentable chance down as Newhaven were under the cosh.
But two quick late goals put the game beyond the hosts, who travel to Eastbourne United on Saturday in the league.
