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Wilde (9), Atkin (17, 31, 55), Ballard (40), Tait (85 pen, 90+)
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Booth (27 pen), Lovett (45 OG)
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Supporters love derby fixtures. There is the local bragging rights to be claimed and although there is no long history between the two clubs the league encounters over recent years along with the current league positions added spice to the tie. However, both clubs were also likely to see the Setanta Shield as a distraction to their impressive league campaigns. This tie was at the beginning of a busy December with both sides having games in hand in the league over many rivals, and the two festive encounters were barely 3 weeks away. This therefore could have been a quiet affair with not much between two well matched sides ...... but no one told the 22 players: quiet it wasn’t. This tie had everything. Goals galore, controversial refereeing decisions, red cards, own goals, and a sensational victory for the home team.
Eastbourne Borough made several changes with Andy Ballard, Darren Budd, Andy Atkin and Adam Wilde all changes from the starting 11 at Fisher. Lewes used their large squad and made 3 changes with Barness and Davis dropping to the bench, Robinson not included in the squad.
Boro started as they finished on Saturday playing excellent powerful football but ‘The Rooks’ are not top of the Blue Square South for nothing and the quality of individual players both on the ball and movement off were evident ..... early on at least. The 1st chance of the fixture fell to Leon Legge but his header from a deep free-kick was directed straight at Lee Hook. Boro were very much on top and Andy Atkins lob shot on 7 minutes was just over the bar; Steve Williams covering the flight of the ball all the way. The home side opened the scoring on 9 minutes. Nathan Crabb combined with Paul Armstrong, who was to have an awesome game in midfield, and crossed from the right-hand bye line. Williams dived to gather the cross but the ball squirmed through his arms to the waiting Wilde who touched home from 2 yards for 1-0.
The 1st controversial decision came on 16 minutes when Wilde was physically dragged back after touching a bouncing ball past a defender in the penalty area and was booked for his troubles. Would this decision come back to haunt ‘The Sports’ ? To be fair the decision didn’t really matter as just a minute later a long throw from the right found Atkins head and the No. 9 nodded past Williams for 2-0 and his 1st of a well deserved hat-trick. Andy had the bit between his teeth as Boro were right back on the attack. Just a minute after the restart Williams had to be at his best; diving to his left to turn another Atkin drive past the post.
Lewes settled and Ben Austin was required to defend bravely a beautiful left wing delivery but it was only a brief respite for the visitors as Atkin again met a wide delivery, this time from Pat Harding, but the ball was just wide of the far post. On 26 minutes Lewes were handed a foothold in the tie. A fierce drive from the edge of the 18 yard box struck Atkin on the arm and the referee immediately indicated a penalty, controversy No. 2. Boro players protested the intention as the ball was travelling at high speed but Paul Booth drove the ball to Hooks right for 2-1.
The foothold was soon to slip as just 4 minutes later, and another perfect delivery from Wilde, this time a free-kick, was met by Atkins head. The ball flew past Williams to restore the 2 goal cushion; 3-1. The half had flown by and the drama still came thick and fast as Boro pushed to extend the lead even further. Andy Ballard swung in another delivery, seeking Atkin, but the cross was too close to Williams who right under the bar fumbled the ball into the net for Boro’s 4th, the goal awarded to ‘The Sports’ No.2. Legge and Simpemba were struggling to tame the strength of Atkins and the pace of Nathan Crabb, whilst the guile of Armstrong and Budd provided ample opportunities for efforts on goal or chances for wide deliveries. Apart from the penalty the back 4 had controlled ‘The Rooks’ front line all half so it took a moment of miscommunication on the stroke of half-time for Lewes to pull a goal back. Jay Lovett, filling in at left-back for Neil Jenkins turned a bouncing ball goal wards as Hook came to claim. Hook almost reached the ball but the goal was awarded with only time for the kick-off before the whistle blew.
With the crowd maybe expecting a quieter 2nd half Nathan Crabb received a straight red card after 49 minutes for a challenge that gave the visiting players and support belief that they could catch Boro. They were to be disappointed as even with 10 men all the football was being played by ‘The Sports’. On 55 minutes Atkin completed his hat-trick by shrugging off a weak challenge from his marker as Armstrong lifted the ball forward. The No. 9 shot early. Williams could only block and the ball lifted high but into the net for 5-2.
Armstrong and Atkin were substituted after 60 minutes, the hat-rick hero receiving rapturous applause; fresh legs required to counter the man disadvantage. Hook rushed to clear a measured ball on 62 minutes but that was all Lewes offered all 2nd half. Boro continued to control the game with 10 men but the numbers were levelled on 70 minutes when Legge brought down Allan Tait as last man with what appeared to be an elbow. After several minutes, as the referee struggled to identify the correct player, the No 5 was shown his 2nd yellow followed by a red.
With the numbers again equal Boro continued to dominate. Wildes cross was fumbled by Williams with Tait waiting to pounce and the Boro No 11 again fed Allan with an exquisite low cross but his touch took the ball just too close to ‘The Rooks’ keeper who saved bravely at his feet. Wilde was at the heart of the next goal and red card. His mazy run and shot was saved by Williams on 85 minutes but as the ball broke to Tait his goal bound effort was ‘saved’ by Derek Duncan resulting in a straight red and a penalty. Tait took the penalty himself leaving the keeper no chance for 6-2.
Evan Archibald made his debut with 4 minutes to go but there was still time for more as Tait scored an almost carbon copy of Atkins 3rd; a powerful shot that Williams could only block, the ball looping high but dropping into the goal for 7-2.
The home crowd were ecstatic and one can only guess at what was said in the respective changing rooms. The visitors were long on the pitch after the game but eventually they ran the gauntlet of jubilant ‘Sports’ fans. What this means for the league, the festive fixtures and the remainder of the season is yet to unfold. But Eastbourne Borough can reflect on an excellent performance from all players, some of whom have only recently returned from injury or have seen their chances limited; Andy Akin found his scoring touch again and lets be honest - we were all desperate to win this one, weren’t we !?!
Match Details - Webmaster.
Garry Wilson’s Post Match Reaction available courtesy of The Eastbourne Herald.
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