EASTBOURNE BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

Boro traveled to Dorset following an extra-time victory but returned to Sussex empty handed after an eventful fixture at the Wessex Stadium. Head-coach Nick Greenwood labelled the side "naive" as they let a 10 man 'Terras' snatch all 3 points with an injury time winner. "At 2-2 and playing against 10 men we had the momentum but we seemed to lose our way. In the end we would have settled for a point but we paid the price for naivety. We have got some very experienced players in our team so for us to lose in that situation is almost incomprehensible. We can take being beaten but it was the manner of defeat which was hard to take. We're in the bottom four now but we can't feel sorry for ourselves. We've got to lift the players and start picking up points again as soon as possible."

The omens were good for 'The Sports' as the side took the lead through Matt Crabb; firing home from close range after some excellent play and a right-wing delivery from Pat Harding. The home side had a strong appeal for a penalty waved away 2 minutes later; Michael malcolm crumbling under pressure from Andy Atkin. Boro almost extended the lead when Paul Armstrong fired inches wide but one wonders if Mr. Bull had the incident with Atkin on his mind when he mysteriously awarded Weymouth a penalty on 16 minutes when matt Crabb challenged a high ball; Chris McPhee falling in a heap. Lee Hook saved the Stuart Beavon penalty and the ball was cleared for a corner before the crowd noticed the Assistant Referee indicating 'Hooky' had stepped forward and the penalty was to be re-taken. To the Boro fans behind the goal, and to these eyes at the very least, the keepers movement was no more or less than most, and the decision was to have further resonance later in the game. Beavon struck the ball low and to his left; Hooky diving the wrong way for 1-1, the Weymouth players appearing to encroach into the penalty area of less import than Lee's earlier 'error'. In the aftermath of the penalty Neil Jenkins was booked and Garry Wilson sent to the stand.

Boro appeared to dwell on the incidents and Weymouth took the lead on 27 minutes when McPhee finished an excellent left-wing cross for 1-2. This further set-back settled 'The Sports' and the dominance prior to the penalty returned with shots from Matt Crabb and Harding blocked for corners and Allan Tait unable to find the net with only the keeper to beat on 39 minutes.

The Boro dominance continued after the break with Danny Knowles saving from Atkin in the 1st minute after the restart before Scott Doe received a straight red for hauling Atkin down whilst through on goal 2 minutes later. Armstrong struck the penalty confidently but Knowles guessed correctly and saved. Howls of derision from the Boro supporters, again well placed at the right end of the ground, followed as the officials appeared to ignore the 'Terras' keepers movement that appeared to match Hooks.
Boro didn't have long to wait for the equaliser as on 57 minutes a Matt Crabb corner was met by Matt Smart and this time Knowles was unable to react and the scores stood at 2-2. Boro tried to press home thier numerical advantage and darren Budd had a fine effort tipped wide before Weymouth managed to break the flow of the game, aided and abetted by stong wind and rain. Indeed the home side had chances to re-take the lead as a right-wing effort struck the post and McPhee fired wide. In the closing moments Boro had chances to score a 3rd as sub Nathan Crabb was beaten bravely to the ball by Knowles and Kevin Sandwith foiled Tait before following a quick break Pierre Dubois 'snatched' the points with a shot across Hook in injury time.

A defeat against 10 men is always difficult to take. Add in the 'spice' of controversy surrounding penalties awarded, not awarded, and retaken, and the opportunity for a wide range of opinions is multiplied. Boro dominated a Weymouth side that looked low on confidence at times and the stats see possession (52%), shots on target (7 .v. 2), shots off target (6 .v. 3), and corners (7 .v. 3) all in 'The Sports' favour. However the only stat that counts is the goals tally, and that went with the hosts.

Words - Lee Peskett