EASTBOURNE BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

The frantic festive period continued with Boro's 2nd of 3 Sussex 'derby's' at The Broadfield Stadium .v. Crawley Town. 'The Red Devils' are having a strong season and this win lifted the club to 4th and 10 points adrift of Burton Albion in top spot.
Garry Wilson and Nick Greenwood shuffled the squad with Simon Wormull replacing Pat Harding from the Boxing Day victory XI, a 5 man midfield leaving Ashley barnes 'up top'.
The tactics worked as intended as the Boro midfield; part-time legs working tirelessly only 48 hours after their last game; to shut down the full-time Crawley players. This limited the hosts to few chances in the opening exchanges, Ben Austin again performing admirably at centre-back. The left-wing was proving profitable for Boro and Matt Crabb combined well with Neil jenkins to provide and opportunity for Dan Smith but his shot was rather wild. Barnes shot wide after a strong, mazy run before eventual match-winner Jon-Paul Pittman lifted the ball over Lee Hooks bar on 22 minutes. Austin headed over the bar twice from Wormull deep corners in the closing 15 minutes of the 1st 45 and Barnes was unlucky not to beat Simon Rayner to a through ball but the sides were level as they took shelter from the cold in their respective dressing rooms.

Marc Pullan made a fabulous challenge on Pittman as the game re-started; the 'Red Devil' seemingly more intent on a penalty appeal than beating the Boro stopper. Matt Smart tried his luck from 35 yards but his free-kick was direct at Raynor, no spilling of the ball to provide a chance for Boro in the opposition area. Pinault's snap effort on 52 minutes almost caught out Hook but the dipping effort dropped onto the netting rather than under the bar. On 59 minutes the hosts took the lead in rather controversial circumstances. Constant appeals for decisions appeared to get to the referee as he awarded a free-kick for an innocuous challenge by Jenkins. The ball into the box wasn't dealt after an excellent hook save, with and Pittman fired fiercely into the roof of the net for 1-0.
Boro were very much still in the game and the spirit was most definitely not lacking as Barnes drew an amazing finger-tip save from Raynor; a fierce drive deflected onto the bar; Matt Crabb's follow up deflected wide for a corner.

Boro worked hard but the game was broken by substitutions and bookings. 'The Sports' supplied 3 balls across the home area but no colleague able to supply a finish. 2 free-kicks were driven at the home wall before Hook made only his 2nd meaningful save of the game from a Simon Weatherstone effort.

Most of the 300+ Boro fans in the ground left in good heart. Their side had again performed admirably with compliments from opposition management and fans ringing in their ears. Although welcome they didn't need to be told that their side deserved at least a point from the fixture having played the better football. Local rivals await again; and with 'The Rooks' having been afforded a break due to a frozen pitch; again the players must summon their strength and desire - on this showing their is no fear of either being missing on New Years Day !

Words - Lee Peskett