Eastbourne Borough FC
Barnes (14)
Austin (54)

York City
Smith (62)

Team:

1 Lee Hook
2 Darren Baker
5 Ben Austin
26 Danny Brown (C)
11 Matt Crabb
3 Neil Jenkins
13 Jay Lovett
6 Marc Pullan
4 Matt Smart
28 Ashley Barnes
29 Dan Smith

Substitutes:

9 Andy Atkin for Barnes (88)
18 Simon Wormull
15 Nathan Crabb for Smith (76)
7 Pat Harding for Matt Crabb (76)
32 Simon Johnson

Team:

24 Michael Ingham
20 Andy McWilliams
17 Levi Mackin
26 Simon Brown
21 Kyle Critchell
16 Richard Brodie
27 Christian Smith
6 Danny Parslow
15 Simon Rusk
8 Mark Greaves (C)
3 Mark Robinson

Substitutes:

19 Liam Shepherd for Robinson (86)
10 Craig Farrell for Greaves (36)
18 Adam Boyes for McWilliams (58)
4 Darren Kelly
11 Simon Russell

Booked:

Another game and another famous name at Priory Lane. The visitors have a long history as a football league side and many included this fixture as a 'must see' when the seasons calendar was produced. The impressive home crowd of 1668 were not to be disappointed !
Ashley Barnes returned from suspension; Simon Wormull dropping to the bench. Boro dominated the opening 45 minutes and Barnes headed wide a fine Matt Crabb free-kick on 8 minutes. He was the 1st to get on the score sheet however as a Dan Smith left-wing delivery wasn't cleared; a defensive header finding Barnes in the 18 yard box, the striker lashing the ball home for 1-0.
Ashley almost doubled his tally and 'The Sports' lead a minute later but as he latched onto another defensive error he was denied by Michael Ingham in the visitors goal. On 22 minutes Barnes delivered an excellent cross from the bye-line; met by Matt Crabb's head. The Boro winger couldn't get the effort on target and another chance went begging. York were very much on the back-foot and a long-range effort from Smith required Ingham to make a fine save before a passage of fine football from Boro ended with Matt Crabb volleying over. Boro stretched the visitors throughout the half and there was relief and disappointment according to allegiances as the half-time whistle blew with the score line only 1-0 to Boro.
Garry Wilson & Nick Greenwood expected a response from York; and the 2nd 45 was to prove a more equal contest. Boro, however, started on the front foot with Smith scooping the ball over the York bar in the opening minute. On 51 minutes 'The Minster men' finally threatened Lee Hooks goal; a series of crosses and corners ending with a header inches wide. Boro extended their lead on 54 minutes. A right-wing corner was turned goal-ward by Marc Pullan; York clearing off the line - or was it over ? The question became academic (other than who claims the goal) as Ben Austin smashed the ball home for 2-0.
Boro were well ahead on points but the visitors gave themselves a fighting chance when Christian Smith headed home a Simon Brown cross for 2-1. Boro retaliated with a Smith shot saved after a quick break and York threw all they could at Boro but the defensive held firm and saw the game out for a fine win.

Words - Lee Peskett