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Eastbourne Borough travelled to Bath and fielded an unchanged side. The football management had made comments in the Eastbourne press that this fixture presented the club with it’s strongest test so far, an away fixture that would threaten the unbeaten start to the season, and a stern test it proved.
The Sports started down the Twerton Park slope and dominated the possession and territory throughout the 1st half. Andy Atkin flicked on a Ben Austin right-wing delivery but Steve Perrin gathered easily and Matt Crabb sent a right sided free-kick just past the far post with defence and attack deceived by the flight. On 27 minutes a fabulous through ball found Atkin unmarked 30 yards from goal. Perrin advanced towards the edge of his box to close the angle successfully as the Boro No 10 curled the ball high and wide of the right-hand post. Moments later Darren Edwards attempted to lob Lee Hook but he too was high and wide. Boro continued to press with both Atkin and Scott Ramsay working hard against a strong City defence. The home side took advantage of Mr McLaughlin allowing play to continue after Matt Smart received a blow to the head and a last ditch challenge allowed Hook to gather the ball from a close range effort. Hook was then required to throw the ball out to allow treatment for his stricken colleague ! In the final moments of the half Ramsay, Crabb and Paul Armstrong combined well to provide Atkin with a half-chance ; the ball again curled wide of the City goal.
Pat Harding replaced Matt Crabb at half-time and Boro continued where they had left off. Harding was blocked just after the break and shot wide following a Ramsay flick on but the home side dominated the 2nd half in much the same way Boro had in the 1st. Chris Holland should have hit the target from close range as Boro failed to clear a free-kick and substitute Scott Partridge unleashed a wonderful low, powerful drive from 25 + yards through a crowd of players that drew an equally impressive save from Hook; the Boro keeper throwing himself across to tip the ball over the bar. Adie Harris headed over from a corner for City before Boro took control in the closing stages. Smart controlled the ball outside the area, turned and smacked the ball into the top corner but only the linesman in the 800 plus crowd saw the Boro No 4 offside. Allan Tait injected strength and power in the closing moments and provided a chance for Harding before The Sports were awarded a free-kick 20 yards from goal. The effort was bravely defended by the wall but the City defender who put his head in the way of the effort fell to the ground. As the ball was played back into the home box the referee stopped the game for him to receive treatment in complete contrast to the Smart incident in the 1st half.
Boro fans stayed to applaud their side at the end of the 90 minutes and as predicted this fixture was a test. Last minute winners were not in evidence today but Bath had only conceded 2 goals at home all season; a point most definitely earned on this occasion.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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