After no game last week, the boys wanted to put on a good performance and see if we could get a result today against an inform Eastbourne United.

With Eastbourne moving over to United, they have strengthened their squad and Guy and the team had them playing some very good football at the moment.

We set up with a few changes from the last game against Lindfield - Oliver back in net, Lewis B came in at RB, Toby and Cam in the cb pairing and Dean at LB . Jack and Lewis in the holding cm roles, Sam sat further forward in the 10. Harley on the Right and Kieron on the left with Stephen up top.

The boys started the game so much stronger today than previous weeks and were in a really good spot trying to get the ball down and keep it and create some chances. Eastbourne had a few chances with the ball over the top in the first 15 but the boys held strong, defended well and held the line really well.

We were getting some joy down both wings with Kieron, Harley and Sam all linking well with Stephen and playing off of him. Stephen was doing well holding the ball up and getting the team involved, playing it back to Lewis to spread the passes to the boys on the wings.

Toby & Cam were holding strong, winning a lot of the first balls while the midfield swept up the second balls. This was a very even first half and We came closest to scoring with Stephen being sent through on goal after some great work down the left by Kieron and Sam, before Stephen rounded the keeper and got his shot off only for the Eastbourne Number 6 to pull off an unbelievable sliding block off the line to keep the score 0-0.

There were a few scrappy shots after this from both sides but it was a fair first half to be going in at the break 0-0.

HT - TD - 0 - Eastbourne United - 0

At the half Nigel and Neil spoke with the boys and got them talking between each other about the second half and to address certain areas that needed working on. The boys were up for the battle and wanted to get something out of the game. Charlie came on for Lewis B at RB as our only change.

We needed a quick start again but this time we were a little sluggish with the passing and gave the ball away quite quickly and were hit on the counter with United winning a few corners really early in the half. We defended the first one well and got it away for another corner but this one, the United RW delivered a ball right into the middle of the 6 yard box and after some pinball and half tackles, the ball was tucked under Oliver for 1-0 and 3 minutes into the half we knew it was going to be an uphill battle as we would have to attack more and open the game up more.

This did suit Eastbourne more as they had a very good CB pairing but Stephen, Sam, Kieron and Harley were all battling hard to get the team back into it and were causing some issues to Eastbourne.

Eastbourne were getting some joy with diagonal cross-field passes and their LW was quick and we got lucky a few times with his end product not being on point. Our defence and Oliver were standing strong. Jack got a knock and had to come off for a few minutes with Lewis B coming in to help out the midfield. Sam, Lewis and Lewis all battled hard in there to create opportunities.

We came close with Sam going through from a pass from Stephen however the United number 6 pulled off another great tackle right as Sam shot. Harley also got some joy down the right before cutting inside and putting a ball across however the number 6 was there again.

Eastbourne had a goal disallowed due to the Striker putting the ball in with his hand.

The game became very end to end and both teams were creating chances and being unlucky not to score. Both defences and Keepers holding strong including a great save from Oliver 1 on 1 before the striker looped it up off the bar.

We had a corner that was delivered deep to the back post however United cleared the ball and launched it long to the LW who drove towards the box. Charlie got back and was shielding him while getting his shirt pulled however as Charlie went to challenge the ball, the LW went down and the ref pointed to the spot with 1 minute left of the game.

The LW stepped up and slotted it in the bottom right corner to put the game out of our reach with less than a minute left. 0-2 to United.

TD - 0 - Eastbourne United - 2

A very tough game today against a top side who have won 5 out of their last 6 games. The boys showed grit, determination and a want to win the game. It was fantastic to see and a lot of positives to take from this game and the previous game. Proud of every single one of them today. We also wanted to give a massive shout out to Ethan and Freddie O who didn't manage to get any minutes today with how tight the game was. They cheered their team mates on and showed brilliant team spirit.

A massive thank you to all of our parents who have been brilliant all year, supporting us in all weathers and cheering the boys on no matter what. It has been an interesting year with a strong start to 2025, a few dips and then with the start of this season we were flying, its been an adjustment seeing some of the results recently. This was our last game of 2025 meaning 2026 will start with a double header away to Worthing United on the 11th Jan.

MOTM - Stephen M-F - A hard working performance from Stephen today, leading the line, dropping in deep to collect the ball and get his team mates into the game. Unlucky not to get a goal but gave his all the full 80.