Midhurst went to face the Sussex division-two league leaders Newhaven - and it was just as tough as they expected in new manager Gary Block’s first game in charge, which ended in a 5-2 defeat.
Ex-Pagham boss Block has yet to fully assess his squad but will be doing this over the coming days and weeks.
Newhaven started at a fast pace and Richard Watton put them ahead after nine minutes. Two minutes later Lee Robinson scored a second and Midhurst were looking disjointed and dispirited.
However a good pass by Luke Sheldrick found Gary Norgate and he guided the ball clear of Graham Leach, the home keeper, to make it 2-1.
Newhaven were fairly rampant and scored three more goals through Robinson, Naim Roune and Ebou Jallow.
Just before the Dockers’ fifth, Norgate returned the favour to set up Sheldrick and home keeper Graham Leach had no chance to stop a goal.
Sheldrick and Newhaven’s Dave Allendoff were both shown a yellow card.
Midhurst decided to use their subs and James Wills and Nathan Castleton replaced Lawrence Hyde and James Knght.
There was no further scoring as Midhurst failed to find a way back into the game.
MIDHURST: I Knight, Glue, J Knight, O’Leary, Farr, Dummer, Sheldrick, Hyde, Asare, Norgate, Dreckman. Subs: Castleton, Wills.
This Saturday the first XI host Southwick (2.15pm kick-off).
The reserves beat Broadbridge Heath 3-2 at Rotherfield.
TED DUMMER
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