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Ramsay (2, 25), Atkin (20)
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McBean (31), Goodhind (64)
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The 3rd in a sequence of 4 home games in 2 weeks saw play-off challengers Eastleigh visit Priory Lane. The big spending Hampshire side had not lost in the league since ‘The Sports’ visited The Silverlake Stadium in December so would be keen to maintain both their unbeaten run and their promotion push. Warren McBean made his debut for ‘The Spitfires’, a recent acquisition from Sutton United, and the pacy striker was to have a positive influence on his sides performance. Boro, however, again kept an unchanged side. Scott Ramsay and Andy Atkin partnered each other upfront, and with 5 goals between them in the previous 3 matches none could question the duo’s form.
Boro started slowly on Saturday but Ramsay was to open the scoring after only 2 minutes. A Luke Byles effort was gathered by Lee Hook and the Boro keepers long kick from hand evaded the visitors defence and Ramsay latched onto the clearance to get a shot on target. David Wikinson, another visiting keeper who was surely M-O-M for his team, saved well but the rebound fell to Scott to finish cooly for 1-0.
Eastleigh proved to be strong opponents throughout the 90 minutes and Darren Budd was required to make a crucial tackle on the edge of his own area on 6 minutes before Pat Harding tested Wilkinson following the 1st of several weak back-passes from the visitors back-four. Hook was forced into an excellent save as McBean got a shot on target and the Boro wall held firm against a 20 yard free-kick on 19 minutes. This spell of pressure was relieved as Boro stretched their lead on 20 minutes when Atkin met a Harding right-wing delivery; his header giving Wilkinson no chance.
Eastleigh; very much to their credit; refused to give up the fight and drove an effort past Hooks near post prior to Jamie Brown weakly lobbing the ball into Hooks arms when well placed on 23 minutes. Boro completed their scoring on 25 minutes when Jay Lovett delivered a deep right-wing free-kick onto the head of Atkin. The No.9 directed the ball to strike-partner Ramsay who’s unchellenged looped header left Wilkinson motionless, the ball dropping into the net for 3-0.
McBean pulled a goal back on 31 minutes when he nipped in front of Hook at the near post for 3-1 but the half-ended with no further clear cut chances for either side.
The 2nd 45 started with a rash of bookings for the visitors, who displayed a ‘robust’ approach to the game throughout, Brown substituted on the hour when Mr Atkin would have been well within his rights to show the combative midfielder a 2nd yellow following an late challenge, possibly the No.8 fortunate the referee allowed play to continue for his keeper to save well from Matt Crabb. On 65 minutes ‘The Spitfires’ were well and truly back in the game when Warren Goodhind smashed the ball home from close range as Boro failed to clear the last in a succession of corners, 3-2.
Boro responded to the growing pressure on their lead with a couple of strategic substitutions, and Nathan Crabbs pace certainly gave the tiring Eastleigh legs a different problem in the closing moments of the game. Wilkinson kept visiting hopes alive with a fabulous double save from Atkin with 10 minutes left and the Crabb brothers chased down the ball as Eastleigh failed to clear; a chance eventually ending at Matt’s feet but Boro held strong at the back to see out the 5 minutes of time added on to go top of the Blue Square South; all games in hand completed.
David Wilkinson made several outstanding saves throughout the game. 1 on 1’s with Atkin and Ramsay both coming out in the keepers favour. Despite the 2nd half territorial advantage and the feeling of Boro being on the back-foot Lee Hook in contrast had few saves to make, the home keeper mainly employed claiming high crosses and corners. That said Eastleigh are a strong side, surely worthy of support in greater numbers than those from Hampshire at Priory Lane for this fixture, and as the Eastbourne Boro support reflect on the game they will no doubt be pleased to have gained a further 3 points in the chase for league glory.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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