EASTBOURNE BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

All the post play-off celebrations were placed to the back of the mind. All the pre-season work was behind the squad. All the close season stadium work, pitch renovations, clubhouse re-decoration was completed and the very serious business of tackling the largest names in non-league football had arrived - the Blue Square Premier 1st fixture of the season .v. Rushden & Diamonds.

Rushden, despite only hailing from Northamptonshire, had stayed over-night near Gatwick Airport, underlying the sort of financial muscle that Boro were up against this season. However the management team of Garry Wilson had Nick Greenwood had prepared the squad immaculately as ever so 1609 turned out at Priory Lane sure that the home side would do their up most to compete.

Jean-Michel Sigere was the only close season signing to start the match, Simon Wormull and Chris Winterton both appearing on the bench, Wormull to feature in the 2nd half. As such the starting 11 had a very familiar look to the successful side of last season. The visitors listed players in their starting 11 that would be familiar to followers of football at all levels, Curtis Woodhouse, Rob Wolleaston and Lee Phillips just a few.

Boro started brightly with a half-chance in the opening minute but Woodhouse responded with a wild drive seconds later, the wind in the face of the visitors. Sigere fought shoulder to shoulder with Sagi Burton but his poked effort was direct at Alan Marriot. Lee Tomlin was to be a constant threat to Boro all afternoon and on 5 minutes his skillful turn on the bye line allowed him to drive a cross that Lee Hook gathered low in the 6 yard box.

Boro were certainly not overawed by the visitors and Sigere had an effort from the 18 yard line blocked and Andy Atkin pulled a low ball back for skipper Paul Armstrong on 15 minutes, but his opposite number Woodhouse was tracking back to cut out the pass. Tomlin drove a long-range free kick at Hook but on 25 minutes the tricky wide man was over in the box under a challenge from Neil Jenkins and Mr Halliday was in no doubt about his penalty decision. Woodhouse smashed the ball low to Hooks left and the Boro keeper almost reached the shot; ultimately the pace and angle beat his dive and the visitors had opened the scoring.

Boro tested Marriot via Matt Crabb and 'Armo's' long range shot but Hook was the most severely tested when he was forced into an excellent 1 handed save from Tomlin on 37 minutes.

Boro had a decent penalty appeal in the 48th minute but with the decision less clear-cut the verdict went with the visitors; Sigere left sprawling when bearing down on goal. This appeared to spur on 'The Sports' and the 2nd 45 minutes certainly belonged to the home side. Atkin controlled a Matt Crabb cross well but his effort was direct at the keeper under intense defensive pressure. Pat Harding struck a rising shot direct at Marriot and Sigere turned a low Atkin cross wide of the mark as Boro chased the equaliser. A further chance went begging as a worked free-kick fizzed across the Rushden penalty area but Marcus Kelly's lob onto Hooks bar from distance was a warning shot for the rampant home side.

Sigere fed a perfectly weighted through ball to Armstrong but his low shot was part blocked by the keeper, the ball looping goal ward but headed clear; the resultant corner providing a clear chance for Matt Smart to head for goal but he just failed to connect. Boro's best chance of the game fell to Wormull on 75 minutes as he and Nathan Crabb sprung the offside trap. It appeared he attempted to bend the ball around the advancing keeper but the effort was well high and wide; the despair on the home terraces matched by the relief from those in yellow.

The away side came more into the game in the closing 15 minutes with Chris Hope and Kelly both wasting half-chances to test Hook. Boro were unable to mount another serious effort on Marriot's goal and as the final whistle blew the Boro fans, players and management were left to reflect on the missed chances that resulted in yet another 1-0 defeat to Conference Premier opposition.

However as the dust settled no doubt the following began to enter the minds of all. Yes, this was another 1-0 defeat but this time the club were competing on equal terms as members of the Premier division. Rushden are amongst the favourites for the title and not only had Boro matched the visitors, at times most in the ground would agree had stretched Rushden defensively and limited the efforts on Hooks goal. 'Clinical finishing is required in this division to prevent excellent performances resulting in defeat' was the theme of Garry Wilson's post match comments and Boro fans can rest assured that all effort will be made by players and coaches alike to ensure this level of performance is matched with an accumulation of points.

Words - Lee Peskett
Photo - Lee Smith