EASTBOURNE BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

Another beautiful day in Sussex saw old Southern League, Conf. South and now Conf. Premier rivals Weymouth FC at Priory Lane. The 3rd home game in 5 days was testing mind body and soul of the Boro players (and staff) but the club were always aware of the demands that football at this level would make.
Allan Tait passed a late fitness test and he continued his run of starts partnering Nathan Crabb up front. Weymouth's circumstances had changed dramatically since 'The Terra's' beat Boro with a late, late goal (another !) with 10 men earlier this season. However the financial constraints had obviously changed since a new board were installed as Cliff Akurang joined the Dorset club on loan and other 'new' faces were listed on the team sheet for this fixture.
A half, in truth low on quality for differing reasons, started brightly for Boro, Tait burst into the penalty area and was flattened but no penalty appeal was made. This was followed by a Matt Smart shot from 20 yards. Adam Legzdins, who was to have a mixed afternoon, made the 1st of several rushes to the edge of his area to beat Nathan Crabb to a though ball on 8 minutes and Gavin Hoyte denied the younger Crabb just seconds later. On 20 minutes 'The Terra's' had a good spell of possession at the Boro left back position, but this ended when a poorly executed free-kick was cleared. Tait was working very hard up front and Gavin Hoyte's block prevented his run on goal. Marcus Browning had a half chance for Weymouth but his effort was very weak and deflected wide for a corner. The visitors had further half chances with Dominic Merellla shooting direct at Hook and Akurang appearing to aim for the corner flag; before Boro took the lead. With the clock running down at the end of the 1st half Austin fed the ball down the line for Paul Armstrong. The skipper forced his tiring limbs to just reach the ball before it ran behind and his cross was flicked on for Matt Crabb to nod the ball inside the far post. In truth Legzdins appeared to stop and even carry the ball over the line as if he expected a goal kick but neither official indicated such - Boro 1 up.
With the lead Boro spent most of the 2nd half containing what attacking threat Weymouth could muster. Nathan Crabb had 2 opportunities to beat the keeper but defenders chasing him down and good keeping kept the score 1-0. Matt Smart could not control a clever flicked header from Matty Crabb and at the other end Marc Pullan made a fabulous tackle to deny Akurang. Merella made 2 strong runs from right-back but he was replaced as Alan Lewer threw on height in an effort to get back into the game. Dan Brown was moved up front to add a threat with the head and he tested the keeper from an Austin cross on 72 minutes. The plan worked to perfection on 81 minutes when Brown flicked the ball on for sub Jack Jeffery to run onto and fire high into the net at the near post. Jack's 2nd was all his own work. He closed down Legzdins way out of his goal; dispossessed him and rolled the ball into an empty net for 3-0. In time added on Simon Wormull managed to skim the bar from 25 yards but in truth almost everyone in the ground must have been pleased to hear the final whistle; the Boro players glad to have the chance for some rest; the Boro fans glad to have the points in the bag.
This was not likely to have been the hardest game Boro would face this season; or even this week. But it could be argued that it would be one of the most difficult. Many 'expected' the side to win this fixture. However that expectation needed to be balanced against the recent run of games, Weymouth's lack of games for nearly a week, and the time that 'The Terras' would have had to prepare for the game. That said it was ultimately a comfortable win for 'The Sports' against old foes.

Words - Lee Peskett