The Sides Emerge At Imperial Fields - Pic : Lee Smith

The trials and tribulation of the Blue Square Premier season were placed aside for a few hours as The Sports traveled to virgin territory for the club, Tooting & Mitcham, for this FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round fixture. No one connected to Eastbourne Borough expected an easy day - The Terrors riding high in the Ryman Premier division - but the emotions at the final whistle swung between disappointment and relief.

Dave King Gathers High - Pic David Bauckham

Boro started brightly but after 15 minutes the home side began to dominate with Michael Jordan forced into a diving save. On 21 minutes a Matt Crabb left wing cross evaded all in the penalty area, the wind a problem for both sides, and as Paul Armstrong connected all he could do was stab the ball towards the bottom corner, Dave King able to gather. On 28 minutes United took the lead. A free-kick 20 + yards out was curled round the Boro wall by Matt York, Jordan beaten low to his left.

Matt Smart Battles In Midfield - Pic : David Bauckham

Paul Vines had a penalty appeal turned down on 37 minutes before Boro, playing marginally better since falling behind, drew level through Matty Crabb. Neil Jenkins played the ball into 'Crabby's' feet and the winger curled a wonderful effort beyond King into the far corner for 1-1.


Matt Crabb Shapes To Strike - Pic : David Bauckham

Boro started brightly in the 2nd 45 and Sports fans must have thought the half-time team talk had done the trick, but the side were lucky to see a Joe Vines effort wide across the face of the goal direct from the start. Liam Enver-Marum replaced Andy Atkin and he made an immediate impact on the teams play and chance count. Jamie Taylor showed determination to steal the ball off the back-four and round King. Unfortunately as he got back to his feet and turned to place the ball home he chipped the ball wide needing to beat the retreating defenders. Enver-Marum crossed low on 60 minutes and Armstrong met the delivery perfectly to lift the ball over King but smacked the ball against the underside of the bar - and out !!

Armstrong Hits The Woodwork - Pic : David Bauckham

Did this take the wind out of Boro's sails ? Did The Terrors sense this would be their day ? Whatever; the vast majority of the last half-hour belonged to the home side. Paul Vines headed direct at Jordan when anywhere else would have put his side in front on 66 minutes and Ben Austin made a fabulous cover tackle to deny Aaron Goode a clear route to goal just moments later. Committed defending by the Boro back-four to deny The Terrors heralded an unforgettable final 7 minutes (including 3 added). On 86 minutes Paul Vines must have thought he had won it for his side when he headed home at the back post for 2-1. He left the field to a standing ovation and on 88 minutes Simon Parker extended the lead as he rounded Jordan to finish for 3-1.

Liam Enver-Marum Delivers - Pic : Lee Smith

Uncontrollable joy surrounded the 100+ Boro fans, and amongst the scenes of celebration some left for the journey home to the south coast. They missed a remarkable comeback that although could not erase the proceeding 89 minutes at least provided a lifeline. A right-wing cross was headed across goal by Matt Crabb, flicked goal-ward by Enver-Marum and finished at close-range by Jamie Taylor; a consolation surely. No. With Byatt replaced to run down the clock Boro were 'making hay' down the right-wing and a long Armstrong throw-in dropped kindly in the box for Austin to smash home and keep his sides name in the hat.


Ben Austin's Equaliser - Pic : David Bauckham

With the home side dejected, the home fans stunned, and the Boro players celebrating wildly the game finished in what could only be described as a strange atmosphere. For much of the game Boro had under performed and if the club had not got what they deserved at times in the league this year many left Imperial Fields thinking that just maybe today some balance had been restored and that the side had 'snatched' an undeserved draw. That said credit must be given to the players who with a seemingly impossible task kept the tie alive and The Terrors will travel to Sussex for a replay on Tuesday 27/10/09

Words : Lee Peskett