EASTBOURNE BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

The grueling run of games contained with Ebbsfleet rolling into town. Following the bruising encounter only 48 hours previous the Boro management team made full use of the squad with Jacob Mingle and Michael Jordan making home 'debuts'. If Boro thought they had a tough run in then Ebbsfleet quite possibly trumped the Sussex club, their cup exploits leaving them with several weeks of Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday appearances.
1 Boro came out of the traps quickly with a Matt Crabb corner cleared but Ebbsfleet, chasing points to stay clear of the relegation places responded with a low shot; Michael Jordan saving low. On 11 minutes Allan Tait continued his good run of form with a deep cross. 'Crabby' collected but his delivery was collected by Lance Cronin. Neil Jenkins needed to be alive at the near post to block a cross and on 13 minutes Michael Gash shot from 25 yards that required Jordan to tip over. The spell of pressure was continued as the corner was nodded goal ward Crabb cleared off the line. With Boro playing the better football, enjoying the majority of possession and territory it was the best chance of the match so far. Jenkins and Crabb combined well wide left but 'Crabby's' cross to the near post was cut out. Tait was a real thorn in the visitors side and he chased down 6 to force a corner; Cronin gathering the delivery well.
On the half-hour 8 was allowed too much time to cross, the delivery was well beyond the far post but 4 minutes later he met a fabulous high swinging delivery 1st time, his volley just wide. Tait again hassled the back four and as he dispossessed 23 his cross to the far post was cleared with Crabb waiting to apply a finish. 'The Fleet' finished the half strongly but the score remained 0-0.
Nathan Crabb replaced Tait at half-time but Jordan was required to make a fine low save at point blank range in the opening minute. Ebbsfleet were to dominant the 2nd 45 and a good interchange of passes for 'The Fleet' allowed John Martin to shoot, the effort blocked. Jordan made 2 reflex point blank saves as the visitors pushed; Ricky Shakes thwarted. Michael Gash showed excellent control to feed the ball wide to a colleague but the effort was sent wide before gash himself stole in on a long ball to finally beat Jordan in off the post on 51 minutes.
Mingle joined Nathan Crabb up front but with the lead Ebbsfleet continued to control the game rather than force the pace. Ben Austin was introduced for his 350th appearance; Wormull delivered a straight ball inches over Mingle's head and Simon struck a fine effort just over from 30 yards but Cronin was not seriously tested before the final whistle.
maybe some saw it as 'after the Lord mayor's Show' following the derby win on Tuesday but there is little doubt that the game was between 2 sides in the middle of a tough fixture schedule. The Boro side must now pick themselves up and dust themselves down as they have done on so many occasions to face the next team to visit Priory Lane - it is hoped that the crowd and squad can inspire each other.

Words - Lee Peskett