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With league leaders Lewes in FA Trophy action the stage was set for the Blue Square South’s biggest game of the day, 2nd .v. 3rd, Eastbourne Borough .v. Hampton & Richmond. ‘The Beavers’ travelled to priory lane very much the form side of the division with 5 wins in the last 6 fixtures. Eastbourne Borough are still unbeaten in the league and in a rich scoring vein over the last 3 games, 16 past opponents with only 2 conceded. The home side were struggling with injuries. Scott Ramsay, Neil Jenkins and Darren Baker not fit enough to start and Ben Austin pulled up in the warm-up. With the weather fine but cold the crowd were hoping for a spectacle. Unfortunately the visitors’ obviously had other ideas.
Man Of The Match Lee Hook was called into early action to clear a shot on target but for extended periods of the match the home side played all the football, the visitors defending deep and simply launching the ball forward high and far hoping to catch ‘The Sports’ back-four cold. Andy Atkin had a lobbed header cleared off the line after only 8 minutes as Eastbourne got into their stride. Matt Crabb tormented Graham Harper for the 1st time on quarter of an hour but Matt Lovett in the visitors’ goal gathered low. Atkin had another half-chance on 30 minutes but his volley was high and handsome from 8 yards. The percentage worked in Hampton & Richmonds favour on 32 minutes as Hook made a fabulous double save, the 1st from Lawrence Yaku but 2 minutes later Eastbourne should have been in front. Allan Tait played a lovely pass into the path of Pat Harding. As he strode deeper into the box he was pulled back just as he shot, Lovett deflecting the ball wide but penalty claims turned down.
’The Beavers’ started the 2nd half brightly and almost opened the scoring, the ball ricocheting around the box with a goal line clearance required for the home side. It did not take long for the half to settle into the same pattern as the 1st with Eastbourne playing attractive football, Hampton & Richmond happy to soak pressure, clear high and handsome, the referee happy to allow the away foul count to rise above 15 with only 2 yellow cards issued. ‘The Sports’ just couldn’t find away through and despite opportunities for Jay Lovett, Matt Crabb and a hurried free-kick on the edge of the box the visitors left Priory Lane with a point, the home side keeping the unbeaten start intact.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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