Eastbourne Borough match report

Source: Eastbourne Borough official site.

Welcome Three Points From Cornwall

Truro City 0 Eastbourne 2

Borough took a decent number of travelling supporters who were able to celebrate the side’s first league win since early December having picked up only four points from a possible forty over the past three months.

But on this occasion the team dealt with all Truro had to offer in the opening fifteen minutes and as the game progressed looked remarkably comfortable on the ball, well organised, first to the ball and constantly threatening to the Truro rearguard.

Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Mitchell Walker joined the squad and was included in the starting line-up, with Simon Johnson returning on the right of midfield and Ellis Remy teaming up with Garry Hart as front-runners.

Truro began strongly with Andy Watkins forcing good saves from Walker in the opening minutes but gradually Borough took control of matters with Remy bursting through before lifting the ball over keeper Ollie Chenoweth and narrowly over the bar. Gary Hart’s goalbound effort was well saved by the custodian, before Matt Crabb looked on agonisingly as he fired against the far post with Steve Adams responding quickly to clear his lines.

The Priory Lane ‘faithful’ were wondering if these misses would be costly when Hart held off a challenge from Arran Pugh before cutting inside and striking the ball home to give Borough a 36th minute lead, and with half-time approaching Crabb increased Boro’s advantage on 44 minutes, with a fine goal following a good move from midfield, finishing after interaction with Hart on the edge of the box to break through the home defence and celebrate as he slotted home. A two-goal interval lead, but it should have been by a wider margin had the chances been taken.

The second half saw Borough continue to attack the City goal with Remy going close on three occasions, the last of these seeing the striker falling to his knees despondently as he burst through with only the keeper to beat, only to find the ball bobble awkwardly at the last moment, hit him on the shin and roll to safety.

Truro pushed forward for a time, but a well organised Borough defence coped well. Walker held the ball cleanly in the air and was quickly down to thwart Hayles and Watkins, whilst Marvin Hamilton was strong on the right and Sam Coles also enjoyed a pleasing display. Ollie Rowe and Alex Lacey were strong in the centre, as Truro found difficulty as they moved forwards.

In midfield Matt Smart, Stuart Anderson and Johnson worked well, with Crabb always a threat on the left going close to increasing the lead when his shot beat the keeper but brushed the post on 68 minutes.

Remy and Hart worked tirelessly causing constant problem’s for City, as the team achieved the target of three points, and with Staines Town going down at home to Basingstoke, Borough moved out of the danger zone.

Borough played with determination throughout, and should have secured victory by a greater score-line, but manager Tommy Widdrington was more than satisfied as he witnessed his first victory since joining the Club. There are difficult games remaining in the Borough fixture list, but if players can show consistent endeavour, commitment and flair, with increasing confidence, there could be a successful and exciting conclusion to the campaign.
Goals: Hart (36), Crabb (44)

Att: 493.