Ironically, that previous defeat also came against Newhaven when United were on the wrong end of five goals from Lee Robinson in a 7-0 defeat at Fort Road when both sides were part of Sussex County League Division Two.
United were looking to put the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat at Wick & Barnham United behind them, but it was always going to be a tough ask against a side who were unbeaten in the SCFL Premier Division and sitting in second place prior to the match.
There was a first start for youth team product Mike Ginno in midfield, while Peter Cooper partnered Liam Baitup upfront in the absence of Dom Clarke.
The match didn’t start well for United as they found themselves a goal down after just three minutes as Ebou Jallow pounced following some defensive indecision.
One became two with sixteen minutes played as a whipped corner was flicked in at the near post by Robinson for his first of the evening.
United didn’t go without chances in the opening 45 minutes, as Baitup twice went close without testing the home ‘keeper Jake Buss following crosses from Zak Dove and Aaron Capon.
Ginno saw an enticing cross tipped over the bar by Buss towards the end of the half, but United suffered a sucker punch on the stroke of half-time.
Baitup’s intended pass to Dean Stevens was intercepted and Newhaven countered through Robinson, who turned his way past Peter Featherstone before finishing past Callum Christie to extend the lead to three goals.
There was a change of personnel at half-time with Slav Stoyanov replacing Toby Clifford and Stoyanov nearly made an immediate impact, but the striker flashed his effort wide of the far post.
United showed a marked improvement in the second half and were rewarded when Baitup headed home with the help of a deflection to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
With 15 minutes remaining, things turned from bad to worse for United as they were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Dean Stevens.
A penalty appeal had been waved away at the other end after Capon had gone down inside the area, with Newhaven countering as Robinson raced from the halfway line goalwards with Stevens in hot pursuit.
As Robinson went to shoot, Stevens tugged on the shoulder of the attacker and received his marching orders from the match official.
Ryan Walton stepped up and struck his penalty past the dive of Christie for his first of the night and Newhaven’s fourth.
Newhaven’s numerical advantage was clear to see in the final ten minutes as Robinson exploited the hole vacated by Stevens' dismissal to help himself to two further goals to make it four for the night and complete a 6-1 victory.