EASTBOURNE BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

With the club inching towards it's target points total but 'mathematical' certainty of 'Premier' football still to be achieved this fixture looked tricky on paper. The hosts had not lost in 6 and lost only 1 of their last six at home. It can be imagined that it was with this in mind, and fixtures now coming thick and fast for the part-time Boro squad, that Garry Wilson & Nick Greenwood formulated the game-plan for this trip. Sam Gargan made his 1st start up front, and Boro set their out their stall inviting Kettering to break them down. However, contrary to other opinion, 'The Sports' were not solely intent on frustrating their opponents. As early as the 2nd minute Matt Crabb, Neil Jenkins and Paul Armstrong combined to send a low cross to the front post, Gargan just inches from applying a finish. Two corners on 10 minutes from Kettering’s Richard Graham came to nothing and a sharp one-two between Luke Potter and Craig Westcarr saw Potter skew his shot wide. The first real test for Lee Hook saw Graham meet a cross from the right with his head, and the looping effort briefly troubled Hooky before he tipped the effort over the bar. On the half hour the home sides best chance came, and went, when a back heel by John Dempster set up Graham - but he shot wildly over the bar from inside the box. The half ended with Ben Austin launching a cross high over Lee Harpers bar, with Gargan waiting for the delivery, but the side had easily dealt with all 'The Poppies' could produce and although conjured few attempts on goal had played some attractive approach play in contrast to the aerial bombardment of Kettering.

Boro came out in the second half with more attacking purpose, no doubt collectively sensing 3 vital points could be earned here. Armstrong threaded a ball through for Gargan early on and only a late, late toe poke from Geohaghon prevented a shot on goal from the 'Albion' loanee. The ever industrious Matt Smart fired a free-kick from 20 yards into the defensive wall before Kettering introduced recent signing Ange Lorougnon and his first involvement saw him win a free-kick, Craig Westcarr over the bar from 25 yards. A quarter of an hour into the half Hook was finally beaten but a fabulous covering tackle-come-block by Neil Jenkins kept the scores level. 'The Poppies' were still struggling to create many clear cut chances, although a corner ball eventually fell to Geohaghon and his low hard drive was blocked by Hook’s legs and cleared. Lovett’s long cross from the right on 70 minutes caught the home defence sleeping, and Sam Gargan almost got his head to the ball. Having toiled for 70 minutes for the side Gargan made way for Nathan Crabb and within 8 minutes he had won the game for Boro. Matt Crabb collected a stray pass deep in his own half and broke forward. He neatly threaded the ball through to his brother. Nathan got the better of Geohaghon and easily beat Lee Harper low to the keeper’s left. Game plan perfectly executed one must ask ? Boro worked hard to maintain the advantage, players encouraging and urging each other on - they could see the possible importance of this result. Kettering’s only real chance to equalise came on 86 minutes. Another long high ball fell to Brett Solkhon, his shot was straight at and beaten away by Hook.

The home crowd were subdued in the 1st 45 minutes, supportive in the 2nd until Nathan's strike, and drifted away silently as the game drew to a close. Like Boro they have performed admirably over the season but still appear to cling on to play-off hopes. Ths probably the reason for the disappointment as they drifted home. Contrast the feeling on the away terrace. The side had again played well against a side some points above them in the table, and taken 3 points from the game. Kettering threw countless balls into the Boro half and 'The Sports' responded fabulously to the pressure. When the time was right our pattern of attack changed; Nathan and Simon Wormull introduced; GOAL. The weeks now start to contain 2 games and as discussed the squad's mental and physical strength will be tested. That may be so but the determination to win and play in this division next season was obviously on display at the A1 Arena today.

Words - Lee Peskett