EASTBOURNE BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

'1 point gained or 2 points dropped ?' That is a question no doubt supporters, management and players of both teams were asking themselves, and debating with others as the 'crowd' departed the Glassworld Stadium. Another question could have been 'should the game have gone ahead' with large areas of the playing surface as bad as anything Priory Lane, with it's well documented drainage problems, had offered up in past seasons - but often the match officials calling the fixture off. That said the game went ahead and Paul Armstrong was restored to the starting line-up following his 90 minutes .v. Sidley earlier in the week.

The pitch condition appeared of little consequence to Histon as the ball rarely made it's way forward via the midfield; the ball launched high and long; but Boro were the architects of their own problems as confusion, indecision and errors in the back five saw the side 2 down in the opening half-an-hour. A long-throw from the right was nodded home by Jack Midson on 8 minutes and Lee Hook failed to hold an Antonio Murray header on 24 minutes; the ball squirming over the line at the foot of the post. Boro's only decent effort was an Armstrong free-kick tipped over after 22 minutes.

With the visitors 2 down sections off the home crowd began to sense a rout - they were to be very disappointed as Boro were to outplay the home side for most of the remaning minutes. 'Armo' whipped in a left-wing free-kick that Andy Atkin met and guided the ball home to pull a goal back. Boro were now playing all the football; Danny Brown not only taking the fight to the opposition but also coaxing and 'instructing' his colleagues. As the half drew to a close 'Hooky' made a wonderful save in a 1-on-1 before Dan Smith broke down the right-wing and picked out Matt Crabb with a fabulous cross. 'Crabby' 'rose like an salmon' to place a thumping header past Danny Naisbitt to pull the scores level.

The 2nd 45 opened with substitute Neil Andrews inches wide of Hooks post before the game descended into 2 sides struggling to keep their feet and try and play football. This limited the clear cut chances but on 81 minutes Boro took the lead. Armstrong played the ball into Ben Austins path and the delivery from the right left sub Sam Gargan with a little to do other than get his head on the ball to open his account with 'The Sports'. This spurred Histon into action and the final moments saw the players camped in the Boro half. A quick break gave Nathan Crabb a chance to extend the lead but his looping header was grabbed by the advancing Naisbitt. With the 4 added minutes winding down Murray smashed the ball home off the bar with virtually the last kick of the game.

Dejection was written over the Boro players faces as the final whistle blew - Histon celebrated wildly. As the dust settled the opening question was debated. Maybe the answer lies in your personality - are you a 'glass half full' or a 'glass half empty' person ? Personally; as the initial disappointment drifted away; refelction on a trip to a side chasing league honours and a comeback from 2 down - this supporter is pleased with a point; but even happier that the side made it through without injury.

Words - Lee Peskett