Eastbourne Borough FC

Oxford United FC
Murray (44)
Clist (71)
Hutchinson (90+)

Team:

1 Lee Hook
9 Andy Atkin
5 Ben Austin
2 Darren Baker
26 Danny Brown
11 Matt Crabb
6 Marc Pullan
4 Matt Smart
8 Paul Armstrong (C)
3 Neil Jenkins
38 Jack Jeffery

Substitutes:

7 Pat Harding for Pullan (82)
13 Jay Lovett
14 Jacob Mingle
18 Simon Wormull for Matt Crabb (82)
15 Nathan Crabb for Atkin (69)

Booked:

Yemi Odubade's return to Priory Lane had been long awaited, and delayed from the 1st week in January due to a frozen pitch. The Oxford management did their bit by picking the ex 'Sport' in the starting XI but in truth the occasion, and match, was destroyed by the incredibly strong wind and driving rain. That said the conditions were the same for both sides but many in the crowd sensed that mistakes would settle the game rather than slick passing and movement. As the visitors left 'The Lane' with all 3 points most Boro fans would agree that luck and clinical finishing was the differences between the 2 sides.
With the teams struggling with the wind it took 20 minutes before either side could create an opening; and it went to Boro. Matt Crabb's judgment of the conditions provided an excellent left-wing corner. It found Ben Austin in the heart of the 'U's' defence and his perfect downward header needed a reaction goal-line save from Billy Turley; the 1st of several that would prove to be vital to his side. Oxford's opening chance was also from a corner; Lee Hook punching clear as the ball was carried goal-ward in the wind blowing towards 'The River End'. Unfortunately for Boro; as they appeared to have weathered the storm, Adam Murray swung in another left-wing corner on 45 minutes and with the wind swirling; the ball moving; and pressure from Oxford bodies in the 6 yard box 'Hooky' was unable to clear; the ball over the line for the opening goal.
With the wind now in their favour Boro dominated the play. Andy Atkin was narrowly beaten to the ball by Turley, Paul Armstrong's free-kick was acrobatically saved by the keeper, Matt Crabb was denied with a fine save and just after the hour debutante Jack Jeffery, who produced a fine performance, fired over a pin-point 'Crabby' cross. With Boro dominant the game was settled as a quick break from the visitors on 71 minutes saw a good low finish across Hook from Simon Clist.
Inn truth this took the wind out of the Boro sails and the home side were unable to craft further opportunities of note. To rub salt in the wound another break saw sub Eddie Hutchinson go round Hook and fire home from wide for an 3-0 score line Boro did not deserve.
The stats showed 3 shots on target from the visitors and 3 goals scored. In truth Boro played as well if not better than Oxford, but the timing of the opening goal and the 2nd 'sucker punch' with the hosts in the ascendancy just showed how cruel the game can be.

Words - Lee Peskett