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 The 2007/2008 season ended, in many ways, where it started; away from Priory Lane .v. Hampton & Richmond Borough; and also ended with the same score line, a 2-0 win. This result was, however, of far greater importance as the fixture was the Blue Square South Play-Off Final at Stevenage Borough, and the win saw Eastbourne Borough elevated to the pinnacle of English non-league football for the 1st time, higher than any other club had ever achieved from the Sussex town.
As ever the club did things the hard way; arriving late after the players coach broke down and the squad and management arrived via a convoy of cars through rush hour M25 traffic, but the journey home was a far more pleasurable experience with winners medals, a trophy, a place in the Blue Square Premier division and a night of memories that will live long. The goal scorers on the night in many ways reflect the clubs policy throughout it’s climb up the pyramid since Garry Wilson & Nick Greenwood joined forces : a young player from the town who has shown talent and a good attitude given a chance at a higher level with the 2nd from an equally talented by more experienced performer.
Boro remained unchanged for the 3rd game in succession and ‘The Sports’ opened with an early Allan Tait lob inches wide; all to naught as strike partner Andy Atkin ruled offside in the build up. Hampton & Richmond responded with Ian Hodges shooting direct at Lee Hook, a player who was to have an important role in his sides victory. On 5 minutes Boro were appealing for a handball; waved away by Mr Ganfield; it was not to be the 1st penalty decision the ref would need to make. Atkin headed a Neil Jenkins cross inches wide before ‘The Beavers’ game plan became obvious to all in the stadium and the many watching via Setanta. Hampton’s midfield essentially harried Boro into misplacing passes with all in red delivering long and high balls to the front line. It proved an effective plan apart from the dogged determination of the Boro back-four and the brilliance of Hook.
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On 14 minutes Boro had Darren Budd to thank for a goal-line headed clearance as his opposite number, Orlando Jeffrey, nodded the ball goal ward from a right-wing corner. Hampton & Richmond were again unfortunate not to go in front as 3 chances in 4 minutes were deflected off target or wide of the target. It appeared to the 1000+ supporting ‘The Sports’ that the protracted and broken journey had left the meticulously planned preparation in tatters. Boro worked their way back into the game slowly and Pat Harding saw a goal bound header deflected behind and Atkin met a low near-post Tait cross only for his touch to miss the target.
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On the half-hour mark Lawrence Yaku missed with Hooks goal at his mercy, the side net rippling to confuse unsighted Boro fans before their side countered quickly, Atkin stretching to a fabulous Jenkins delivery, again the effort wide of the mark. Ben Austin lobbed over as the half drew to a close; no doubt Garry and Nick happy to have their side in the
changing-room with the scores level.
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It appeared as if the management’s words had fallen onto deaf ears as Yaku appeared to deceive Hook on 49 minutes and his low shot was heading into the net before the keeper stuck out a leg, the power in the shot carrying the ball over his bar. As Boro again fought to get into the game Budd almost set Atkin through, Matt Lovett saving at Andy’s feet before Matt Crabb and Armstrong delivered crosses that none could meet. On the hour mark the tide began to change as Budd and Matt Crabb made way for Matt Smart and Jay Lovett. Both had given their all but Boro now began to push Hampton & Richmond back. Jenkins shot wide on 68 minutes, Pat Harding was denied a shot on goal by a last ditch challenge and Austin took on the entire side with a mazy run that was eventually ended just as the No. 2 went to play the killer ball.
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Despite Boro’s domination the clearest chances seemed to fall to ‘The Beavers’. The 2nd outstanding save of the evening arrived in the 77th minute as Ryan Lake drove a low shot goal wards ‘Hooky’ threw himself low to his right and tipped the ball onto the post and behind for the corner. Darren Baker, who along with Marc Pullan had been battered all evening by long speculative ‘punts’ was on the receiving end of the 2nd serious penalty claim of the evening but the Referee saw the incident as very much ‘ball to hand’ and waved away the appeal from a single Hampton & Richmond player, but the event appeared to gain increased significance for some at the final whistle.
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Tait, who had scored in the play-off semi final’s was replaced on 79 minutes by Nathan Crabb and within 5 minutes the substitute had scored the decisive goal. Atkin received the ball in the 8 yard box and his shot, following a sharp turn, was palmed onto the Hampton & Richmond bar by Lovett but Nathan followed up the rebound and calmly steered the ball home for
1-0 Boro.
‘ The Beavers’ did their best to level the score but in the final minutes of the 4 added Armstrong received the ball in acres of space wide right. He checked he was onside and strode towards the Hampton goal. ‘Armo’ picked his spot and fired home for 2-0, Lovett given no chance, and moments after the restart the whistle blew to trigger wild scenes.
Supporters and Committee joined the players and management on the pitch. For some this was a celebration of a final win, to others this was the culmination of a decades plan, to others this was achievement of a position never even dreamed of but just reward for years of effort and endeavour.
No doubt all at the ground, the 600+ packed into the Priory Lane bars and individuals in homes and pubs (all over Europe according to e-mails since received) watching the TV coverage will have their own memories of the night. Suffice to say that the mixture of joy and tears between players, staff and supporters sums up why millions love the game at all levels. But for every winner there must be a loser and the response of the Hampton & Richmond players and Boro fans at the presentation demonstrated the non-league game at it’s best.
Boro move on into uncharted waters, again, and who knows how they will perform. Hopefully challenges will be met as per past seasons but no doubt memories of this night will live long in the mind. It was once quoted that the club will only ever be a parks side ........ well some may think so, but what a parks side ........ soon to be entertaining the likes of York City, Oxford United, Torquay United, Halifax Town ........
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Match Details - Webmaster.
Photos - Webmaster.
Photos - Terry Buckman : Littlehampdon |
