Tough Day out In Eastbourne

One of the biggest games of the season sat in front of the boys today- The battle for 2nd spot and guaranteed promotion for the 2nd season in a row.

The boys knew that today could be the day for them after taking a bit of a knock against Fishergate in the last game.

Nigel put a decent side out with Oliver, Cam, Toby and Dean at the back. Harry Came in to join Jack in the midfield and Stephen and Dorian kept their spots on the wing. The front line of Kieron, Sam and Freddie rounded off the line up.

On what was a small 3G pitch, the boys looked to get the ball down and play some decent football to start but the style had to change up quickly -With the way the wind was blowing and the way that Eastbourne set up with a 4-2-4 formation really challenged the boys.

Eastbourne had some decent players and played to their strengths which was their Keeper kicking long, their CB running and their wingers chasing long balls.
This was a tough change of style for our boys as it was a lot of high difficult bouncing balls to challenge and win especially on the 3G but it wasn't unheard of for our boys so it was tough to see us pulling out of some of the challenges.

Despite starting strong and getting a few chances towards the Eastbourne goal, they took the lead. From a foul throw on the right side, the ball flicked up off the head of our defender and dropped at the feet of their striker who finished well. 3 mins gone and 1-0 down.

This didn't discourage our boys and they really took the game to Eastbourne and were so unlucky not to have several penalties and the chance to go ahead,

The first chance came when a ball was played down the right hand side and Jack rushed onto it beating the defender for pace before getting into the area where he was met by the keeper. The keeper came flying out with both feet off the floor and connected with Jack's Shinpads half way up his leg, nowhere near the ball and the referee waved play on. I am honestly telling you a blind man in a coma could see that was a penalty from a mile off so no idea how the ref didn't!!

The pressure was coming from both wings with Stephen and Dorian doing their best to Create and Kieron and Sam running the channels and having great battle's with the Eastbourne defence. Harry and Jack were fighting for everything in the middle and our defence of Toby, Cam and Dean were brilliant in sending long balls back at the Eastbourne defence. Oliver was quick off his line and helped with doing his bit in Setting up a few attacks.

From a great challenge on the right side, Cam played the ball into Stephen who held off his man by standing his ground and playing it into Sam. Sam got cleared out while playing a little ball inside to Jack, who looked up, Pushed the ball slightly out of his feet and he hits an absolute BLOODY WORLDIE flying over the head of the keeper into the top left corner! 1-1 and deserved.

The next penalty claim came shortly after as Kieron turned on the skill and beat 2 players before being cynically taken out in the area, however, as Kieron landed outside the area the ref gave it as a free kick. Despite the protests from both the players and coaches, he wouldn't change his mind.

HT- EASTBOURNE - 1 - TD - 1

At the half the boys were up for it and wanted to go for the win. Nigel made some changes and bought Ethan on for Harry and Lewis on for Freddie. Lewis would slot into the midfield role Harry had been playing and Ethan took over at RB as we pushed Cam and his Physical presence up top to help Kieron and Sam with the Huge Eastbourne CB's.

Another quick goal from Eastbourne right after the half made it a difficult challenge as our boys switched off from a corner and the Eastbourne player scored a great header to make it 2-1.

We took the fight to them from here and were so unlucky not to take the lead with our boys creating a lot of Chances! Stephen and Dorian were doing well on the wings, after switching in the first half, Stephen was on the right and Dorian on the left. They were both winning a lot of headers and helping out the back line of Ethan, Toby and Dean. With Eastbourne sticking to the long ball tactic, this was tough for our boys as they were trying and trying to play great football.
Cam being the target man up top gave us a different approach and he did well linking the play with Kieron and Sam running off of him. We had several chances where their keeper got a hand to it or the defender got a crucial block.

The next penalty appeal came when their keeper misjudged a bounce from Oliver's Kick and as he was running back to his goal, Kieron nipped in front of him and was taken out by the keeper as he reached for it. Surely a pen, again. Nope. Shortly after, Kieron had another chance, beat his man and the defender took him out but the ref gave a corner. Shocking.

Eastbourne took advantage of us pushing forwards and hit a long cross field ball over to the right side. Dorian and Dean tried to clear but the winger nipped between them and hit a curling shot into the bottom left corner. Really unlucky from our boys.

With some changes made, Stan P came on up top for Cam and Zack had come on for Stephen and both put in a shift with the time that they had on the pitch. Mase came down but unfortunately we were unable to get him on while chasing the game. Thank you for coming down and supporting the boys.

With another long bouncing ball, the 4th goal came for Eastbourne as a misjudged header skimmed off our defence and into the path of the Striker who run on and finished well.

FT- EASTBOURNE - 4 - TD - 1

A Tough loss today and the biggest loss of the season for the boys who have given us everything this season. They should be proud of their efforts.

Onto next week to finish the season with a tough local derby against Oakwood fc.

MOTM- JACK FOSTER- Well deserved for Jack for the performance he put in midfield in a tough battling game and then to produce a fantastic goal that would of deserved to get a result for us.