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Boro faced ‘The Rocks’ for the 3rd time this season on the back of a fine away win at Dorchester and with a recent record of 5 wins in the last 6 (the away defeat at Bishop’s Stortford the only blemish). Bognor, however, have lost 4 over the same period, an away victory at league leaders Lewes a high-point (much appreciated in the red portion of Eastbourne). The consistency of performance this season is perhaps a reflection of the management’s consistency in selection, Scott Ramsay maintaining his starting position; new signing Robbie Kember going straight onto the bench.
A fabulously still night saw ‘The Sports’ go straight onto the attack and Matt Crabb fired over the bar on 5 minutes from the edge of the 18 yard box, but the 0-0 score line would only survive another minute. Craig Stoner; who without doubt was his sides
M-O-M; saved well from Paul Armstrong but the ball found it’s way to Pat Harding on the right of the area, his excellent cross was met with a thumping header by Andy Atkin for 1-0.
Boro almost doubled their lead as Bognor lost possession direct from the kick-off; Stoner saving from Ramsay 1-on-1. Darren Budd provided an excellent flick pass for Atkin on 22 minutes and the keeper again kept his side in the game with a double save from Atkin and Matt Crabb following up. Up to the 25 minute mark the only adventure Bognor showed was a weak Scott Chamberlain free-kick and 10 minutes from half-time a long range effort was tipped onto the bar by Lee Hook who also caught the dropping ball to save a corner.
Boro were quickest out of the changing room as the 2nd 45 opened with a Ramsay strike. Matt Crabb combined well with Atkin, who waited for his strike partner to force his way into the box and weighted a short pass for Ramsay to fire high into the net for his 1st league strike since October the 6th.
Ramsay shot direct at Stoner 4 minutes later as Boro threatened to run riot but on the hour mark Bognor finally began to threaten. Mark Knee tested Hook as he ‘sprang’ the Boro offside, staying on his feet to test Hook with his colleagues screaming for a penalty after Marc Pullan’s challenge. The appeals were waved away, possibly in response to the clear 4 feet beyond the back-four the assistant failed to spot, ‘Pullers’ and Darren Baker pointing out the error of his ways. Chamberlain and Alex Haddow made Hook work for his wages but the visitors had not made their short period of domination count. Nathan Crabb’s pace started to unsettle the fragile back-four and he setup his brother who struck a wonderful shot off the right-hand post on 72 minutes. A 3rd would have been a fair reflection of the game up to that point and Ramsay got his 2nd when Budd’s effort from 20 yards was turned goal-ward by the Boro No. 10, his header comfortably inside the post but beyond the excellent Stoner. 3-0.
Kember was given his debut with 10 minutes to go and Priory Lane fans saw enough effort and guile; setting up a Matt Crabb effort that Stoner again saved; to see he will be a valuable addition to the squad. Adam Wilde setup Nathan Crabb with 6 minutes to go; the younger of the 2 brothers strangely missing the target with Stoner cruelly exposed; but the final whistle put Bognor and their few supporters out of their misery with no further damage to their goal difference.
With the recent victory at The Dripping Pan on their CV Bognor could have been a potential banana skin as a ‘game in hand’. ‘The Rocks’ can have no argument with the result and must thank their keeper for keeping the margin of victory down to 3. The Boro ‘faithful’ have seen their side maintain their challenge since the Boxing day defeat to Lewes and is is hoped that the closing months of the season will see the Eastbourne public come and support the side in increasing numbers as it continues to push for league glory.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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