Eastbourne Borough FC
Atkin (21)

Team:

Cronin
Ricketts
McCarthy
Charles
Opinel
Moore
Barrett
Hand
Long
Gash
Appiah

Subs:
Ibe for Opinel (87)
Slatter for Appiah (58)
Mott
Stone
Pooley

Team:
Hook
Austin
Baker
Pullan
Jenkins
Lovett
Smart
Armstrong
Matt Crabb
Atkin
Tait

Subs:
Wormull for N Crabb (82)
Harding for M Crabb (82)
N Crabb for Tait (13)
Winterton
Budd

Borough made another away trip, this time to Kent, in an attempt to return to winning ways. The result was a hard fought draw but the side can be pleased with their guile and football in the opening 45 and grit and determination in the 2nd.

In the opening minute Matt Smarts's strong run and shot required a save by Lance Cronin and the game swung from end-to-end, Allan tait unfortunately forced from the field with a head wound. 'The Fleet' had a couple of half chances before Andy Atkin marked his return to the starting XI with an excellent run and shot across the keeper for 1-0 Boro.

Ebbsfleet came back at Boro and 'Hooky' was required to hold shots from Kwesi Appiah and others; Ben Austin also clearing dangerous deliveries into the danger zone. Matt Crabb and Jay Lovett threatened but as the half ended Hook was required to make a goal-line clearance.

The home side were much more dominant in the 2nd half and the early action heralded their dominance. Stacy Long delivered a dangerous free-kick and Mark Ricketts pulled a save from Hook from a wide angle. On 64 minutes the equaliser arrived. The referee, not popular with either side, appeared to punish Boro for every tackle and awarded a harsh free-kick against matt Smart for a handball fired at him from point blank range. The deliverey into the Boro box was not cleared and Michael Gash; a threat all night; fired home for 1-1. The pressure eased slightly and Marc Pullan found the ball arrive at the far post somewhat unexpectedly, his shot unfortunately weak and at Cronin. The final 15 saw Ebbsfleet throw everything at boro and Hook made 2 outstanding saves; a breathtaking low one handed effort from a point blank header in injury time the pick of the bunch. In the closing seconds Paul mcCrathy mis-judged a bounce and as Andy Atkin raced onto the ball in the centre-circle the 'Fleet' skipper 'flicked' the ball away. He held his head in his hands but to the suprise of the Boro playesr and fans only a yellow emerged from the officials pocket; a lead lost but very much a point gained.

Words - Lee Peskett