EASTBOURNE BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

Jay Lovett and Jack Jeffery started this fixture. With mathematical certainty of BSP football achieved on the previous Saturday, as York were defeated by a time added goal for Northwich Victoria; the Boro side and fans could bask in the glorious spring sunshine. In truth the day was not all relaxation and enjoyment as Garry Wilson and Nick Greenwood had often discussed the need to make each game competitive to keep the competition 'honest', and following recent good performances Jack and Jay will feel they had deserved their starts.
Michael Jordan also started in goal and Boro began brightly with a Matt Crabb free-kick swung in that Ben Austin flicked just wide. Just moments later Steve Arnold in the visitors goal grabbed a high-ball late from Allan Tait as a long ball and high bounce confused the centre-backs. As Arnold went to re-start the game he crumpled in a heap, his knee the problem, and after trying to carry on he was replaced by Rob Beckwith. Beckwith gathered a low Jeffery cross on 10 minutes before Grays began to get a hold in the game. Marc Pullan was required to make a decisive tackle on Barry Cogan to prevent a clear run on goal but this was to be the only chance for the visitors before they fell behind in the 12th minute. Neil Jenkins was allowed time to curl a fabulous pass into the path of JJ. Beckwith blocked his effort but the ball broke loose to Lovett who rolled the ball home for 1-0.
Andy Pugh almost pulled his side level when a Jamie Taylor cross from wide left was headed against the bar; Cogan also causing problems for Boro with a right-sided free-kick just beyond the far post on 27 minutes. A 'Crabby' free-kick was flicked wide by Dan Brown in a carbon copy of the early Austin chance before the lively Jamie Taylor fired wide at the near post on 35 minutes. Grays appealed for a hand-ball against Darren Baker as 'Bakes' played the ball back to Jordan; Mr. Sainsbury and his assistant unmoved. Grays would not have long to wait for parity as again Taylor delivered an excellent cross from the left and substitute Tommy Black headed home from close range, 1-1.
The 2nd 45 saw Boro far more dominant. Early pressure saw a fabulous left wing cross turned behind, and a carbon copy saw Tait pushed in the back as he prepared to head goal ward - penalty said the referee. Paul Armstrong struck the ball home and Boro were back ahead. Boro should have had another 'pen' as Fabian Wilnis tripped Tait in the box on 54 minutes but there was no appetite for a 2nd penalty from the officials. Just after the hour mark Ishmael Welsh broke well down the left flank, Marc Pullan stretching to delay the flying No. 11, and the delivery into the box was way too deep. Matt Crabb stormed thorough the heart of the visitors side but shot wide from 30 + yards and 'Crabby' delivered a fine low near post cross for Tait to back-heel goal wards; Beckwith alive and saved well on 66 minutes.
Grays moved to 3-4-3 and this appeared to hand even more momentum to the home side as the 3 at the back struggled to contain Boro going forward. Matt Crabb was again the provider; this time a neat through ball to JJ, but the West Ham youngster slipped as he let fly with his left foot; the effort high and wide. On 79 minutes Andy Pugh was shown a straight Red as his awful high and late tackle on Matt Crabb drew an audible gasp from the Priory Lane crowd, and with him effectively went the visitors best chance of gaining a point or more. Boro easily contained the visitors for the remaining moments of the game; the Bank Holiday crowd heading home with the 5th league double achieved this season and the knowledge that no matter who the management send out to represent 'The Sports', they will play with passion, skill and determination.

Words - Lee Peskett