Eastbourne Borough FC
Armstrong(22)
Sigere (87)
Tait (89)

Team:

Squad

Team:

Squad

'It's all about giving the players the maximum amount of time on the pitch' was the Eastbourne Borough Head Coach's comment as he watched Allan Tait fire home the clubs 3rd goal in the closing moments of the 3rd pre-season fixture. Indeed the feature of this early campaign has seen a large squad travel to each game and the vast majority have featured in every fixture. 'The sharpness is improving' added Manager Garry Wilson, and it was difficult to dispute this as the side, whoever the personnel at the time, dominated for long periods of the match.

Horsham, with ex-Sport Liam Baitup in the starting line-up, were the liveliest from the kick-off but Boro slowly began to dominate and on 22 minutes some neat approach play was finished by Paul Armstrong as he swept a right foot effort home from the 18 yard box. Boro continued to have the lions share of the possession, the best deliveries into the danger area, and the better 'half-chances', but no further score arrived in the 1st half.

Mo Harkin started the 2nd 45 with Neil Jenkins rested, Jay Lovett again demonstrating his flexibility by moving to left-back. Harkin continued where Simon Wormull left off, delivering plenty of dangerous balls into the Horsham penalty area. Jean-Michel Sigere and Allan tait joined the fray early in the 2nd period but the lively Nathan Crabb was unlucky not to extend Boro's lead on 56 minutes and Tait's was also denied by the Horsham keeper moments later. Lee Carey's long-range effort struck Chris Wintertons bar on 68 minutes as Boro's further changes disrupted the sides rhythm and a minute later Lee Farrell grabbed the equaliser from close range.

Horsham had played at great pace throughout and as legs tired Boro's grip on the game returned. Evan Archibald lifted a shot just past the post and tait failed to find Sigere in the 6 yard box from wide left but the French striker scored from a tight angle on 87 minutes before Tait drove home past the diving keeper moments later. The late goals were just reward for a team beginning to find their feet and understand each others game. The training schedule and use of all squad members is also starting to bear match-fitness fruit.