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Armstrong (14 pen), Nathan Crabb (23, 65),
Matt Crabb (44), Atkin (30, 55)
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Boro kept the same starting 11 that defeated Dorchester Town the previous Tuesday, Adam Wilde returning to the bench after injury, Ben Austin not yet fit after serving a 1 match suspension. Basingstoke made several changes from the win at Maidenhead United, Sean Hankin and James Taylor starting at Priory Lane.
No one at Eastbourne Borough expected an easy game, the visitiors sitting in a play-off position, but confidence in the home side is obviously high with the side scoring 10 goals in the 3 games since the New Years defeat to league leaders Lewes. This confidence was evident from the off as, kicking with the wind, Nathan Crabb took advantage of a defensive error dealing with a high ball only for Chris Tardiff to deflect the ball over the bar for a corner. Jay Lovett was unlucky to be beaten to the ball by a ‘Camrose’ defender on 11 minutes when well placed to shoot but on 13 minutes Boro were awarded a penalty. A Nathan Crabb right-wing cross was flicked on by a visiting defender and taken by surprise the vall struck a colleagues arm, Mr Bull indicating the spot kick immediately. Paul Armstrong stroked the ball comfortably home to open the scoring for his side.
’The Sports’ were rampant and the visitors were struggling to compete. Tardiff again denied Nathan Crabb in the 6 yard box but the No.10 eventually scored with a fine diving header from a Pat Harding cross on 23 minutes.
Basingstoke stuck to their guns and forced Lee Hook into the 1st of a string of fine saves on 29 minutes, James Taylor unlucky as Hook turned his effort away after forcing his shot under pressure from Marc Pullan. Boro went straight onto the attack and seconds after Nathan Crabb spurned a chance for his 2nd Andy Atkin drove the ball home from 25 yards, low past the keeper.
Matt Warner delivered a long distance free-kick into Hooks arms on 38 minutes but the half-ended with Boro grabbing their 4th. Basingstoke failed to deal with the ball in the wind and the excellent Harding delivered another fine cross from the right for Matt Crabb to finish from 12 yards.
The 2nd half opened with a half-chance for Basingstoke, Hook gathering low to his left, but David Tarpey wasted an excellent chance for the visitors volleying wide from 7 yards with only Hook to beat. This miss proved costly as on 55 minutes Nathan Crabb beat Tardiff to the ball in the penalty area, he turned on the bye line and laid the ball back to strike partner Atkin for his 2nd and Boro’s 5th.
Warner was unlucky again as Basingstoke continued to work hard, his long range effort beating Hook but striking the bar on 64 minutes before the home side rounded off the scoring a minute later. Atkin returned the favour to strike partner Nathan Crabb when as he slipped past the last man he laid the ball square to Crabb who made no mistake form 12 yards for 6-0.
Paul Armstrong was unlucky not to get his name on the score sheet with 3 long range efforts in quick succession just inches wide or blocked. Basingstoke continued to stick to their guns and drew some fine saves from Hook but Boro also missed further opportunities to improve their goal difference, Scott Ramsay making Tardiff save low with the final kick of the game.
Basingstoke must be sick of the sight of Garry & Nick’s squad. This emphatic victory adds to the joy of ‘the comeback’ earlier in the season. In truth the stats do not tell the whole story. Basingstoke had several chances to open their account but found, as usual, the Boro defence in a mean mood, and on a day in which the scoreline has grabbed the headline credit must be given to the back-four, the platform on which much success is built. That said their is no doubt that the squad are buoyant and despite being small in number are willing to fight for places in the starting XI and for each other and the club.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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