Eastbourne Borough and Cambridge United
are likley to be sick of the sight of each other this
month as the hosts came from 2 down to earn a replay at
Priory Lane next Tuesday. This will be the fourth time
the clubs have met this season, and Sports fans will take
heart from the fact that their side are yet to be on the
losing end of a result.
The cup tie saw the hosts make several
changes to their starting XI and in truth they dominated
possession over the 90 minutes and could have been well
on their way to the next round had they taken advantage
of the opportunities created in the 1st 45 minutes.
The sides exchanged half-chances in the
opening moments, Robbie Willmott lobbing a long range
effort wide, Paul Armstrong over-hitting a cross into
the area, Jai Reason trying an audacious effort from distance,
Danny Crow and Wayne Hatswell guilty of wasting decent
free-kick positions, all in the opening 10 minutes. Suddenly
the (official) 14 Boro fans were celebrating. Simon Johnson,
Liam Enver-Marum and Andy Atkin combined well wide left
before Atkins ball across the box found Jamie Taylor.
If his well placed header past Danny Potter on Saturday
was good the control, turn and shot low past the United
'stopper' was sublime - 1-0.
United continued to press, Danny Knowles
making the 1st of several great saves on 19 minutes as
he rushed out to block at a strikers feet. Willmott struck
the Boro wood work on 22 minutes, his free-kick beating
the wall and Knowles, 11 minutes later Boro were 2 up.
A Matt Crabb free-kick deceived Hatswell and the central
defender looped a header, unchallenged, over his keeper
for 2-0 Boro.
The home crowd, over 2000 down on the
Saturday fixture (the Boro support may have been small
over the games but it was consistent !), began to sound
restless but from the kick-off they were back in the game.
Crow was on his way goal ward and with Neil Jenkins and
Gary Elphick in attendance, he found himself on the deck.
The referees assistant signaled a penalty, Boro players
incensed (and perplexed). Crow, to his credit, smashed
the ball home sending Knowles the wrong way for 2-1.
The half ended (with a Boro penalty claim
of their own dismissed, Mr Ross changing his mind despite
whistle in mouth as Elphick was thrown to the ground)
with Boro noses in front.
The 2nd 45 again saw the home side dominate
possession but this half saw The Sports create the best
chances (unfortunately not taken) and the final closing
moments see Cambridge finally awarded a 2nd penalty after
several 'shouts'. Liam Enver-Marum drew a save from Potter
on 56 minutes as he made the most of another central defensive
error and on 67 minutes Taylor could have doubled his
count for the evening as the ball was lifted over Brian
Saah, the snap shot dragged wide when he had more time
to pick his spot.
Knowles was seriously tested 8 minutes
from time as a great point-blank save was lifted over
the bar before Saah was challenged by Elphick as he bundled
his way into the box - Mr. Ross finally awarding the 2nd
spot-kick - Crow again finishing with aplomb to level
the scores. The drama was not over as Knowles made a great
block save to set his side away on the counter. Matt Crabb
was forced wide but his great cross found it's way to
brother Nathan and Enver-Marum free in the box. The shot,
when it came, was scuffed and the whistle finally blew
at all square.
Back to Priory Lane and off we go again
!
Words : Lee Peskett
