Eastbourne Town Football Club
 Established 1881

Eastbourne Town 0 Three Bridges 3
Ryman Isthmian League - Division 1 South
Wednesday April 16th 2014

Having performed so well only 48 hours earlier, Eastbourne Town's match with fellow strugglers, Three Bridges, on Wednesday, was effectively over before the Town Hall clock, which overlooks the Saffrons, had reached the ten minute mark. The visitors easily winning a game they dominated throughout, by 3 goals to nil, with their captain, Lee Carney outstanding and leading by example.
 
It may have been tired legs, changed tactics or being laid out differently but this was a Jekyll and Hyde performance from the hosts, missing Tom Bold and Tom Gilbert as well as Ross Sutton and Adam Davidson. Unlike their game with Burgess Hill Town, against Three Bridges, they were second to everything across the pitch and, when they had possession, they were bereft of ideas, relying solely on a long ball over the top. They seemed lacking in conviction from the start whereas the visitors, themselves desperate for points, were up and at it from the opening whistle.
 
Three Bridges opened the scoring after 7 minutes, as Abu Touray fired home from a cutback pass with the Town defenders appealing for offside. The lively Touray then set up the visitors second just two minutes later. He skipped past two weak challenges before delivering a super cross that was headed onto the Town crossbar. The ever alert Elliott Romain reacted first to ram home the rebound. Three Bridges' excellent Lee Carney gave a masterclass on midfield play throughout the game but he was given the freedom of Sussex to do so, as Town's frail midfield could not deal with his threat.
 
Having lost Leyton Schaaf and Billy Medlock to first half injuries, Town's skipper, Steve Elliott failed to come out for the second half. Despite Town having a bright few minutes, the coup de grace was delivered, on 50 minutes, by the experienced, Alan Tait, who got across his marker to smash home at the near post, from the visitors first attack of the half.
 
A hugely disappointing night for Town left them with thoughts turning to Saturday's home match with Walton Casuals. They will need to be much, much improved if they are to get anything from that fixture, and Town's boss, John Lambert, will need to conjure up something special if Town are to catch the team immediately above them, Crawley Down Gatwick, as the end of the season draws ever nearer.
 
ETFC: Dann 6*, Smith 6, Hales 5, Cooper 6, Elliott 6 (Paul 45), Hollobone 5, Upton 5, McClean 5, Clarke 6, Medlock 5 (Berry 36), Schaff 5 (Crone 35).

Starman: Matt Dann - another busy night for the 'keeper.

Attendance: 138

Eastbourne Town 1 Burgess Hill Town 1
Ryman Isthmian League - Division 1 South
Monday April 14th 2014

A resilient Eastbourne Town belied their position at the foot of the table as they almost beat play-off chasing Burgess Hill Town on Monday night. A controversial 90th minute goal, bundled home by Chris Breach, salvaged a precious point for the Hillians, in a very entertaining 1-1 draw, before an appreciative crowd of nearly 200.
 
Town boss, John Lambert set his side up to defend narrow and fairly deep, denying Burgess Hill much space for their quick pass and move game. Town were happy to play on the counter, looking for the speedy Gregg Berry to get in behind the visitors back line. The Ryman League Secretary, Nick Robinson was among the crowd that watched an intense game played at a high and frenetic tempo throughout.
 
Everybody in the Town yellow and blue worked their socks off to contain their high scoring rivals and that effort was rewarded as, time after time, Burgess Hill attacks were thwarted through good defending or some errant shooting. Town's 'keeper, Matt Dann, was enjoying a busy debut but he acquitted himself brilliantly on more than one occasion.
 
With a little over 5 minutes left in the first period and following a quick break down the Saffrons slope, Town forced a corner. The delivery was perfect and it was met by an awesome header from Ryan Cooper that was completely unstoppable. The big centre back climbed way above anyone else to bury the chance past Tom Beadle, to put his side a goal to the good at the interval.
 
With veteran enforcer, Adam Davidson out for the remainder of the season and with Ross Sutton unavailable, Town's skipper, Steve Elliott, having started his working day at 6:15 am, had to settle for a place on the bench as he couldn't get to the ground before kick-off. His commitment to the Club and their cause was mirrored by his team in an intriguing second half.
 
Again, the Hillians made most of the running but brave and timely defending by the Town side kept them at bay. The goalposts and crossbar also saved the hosts on more than one occasion. As time started to run out, and as they tired, the Town side started to concede free kicks outside their box. As the kicks were delivered into the Town box, somehow they were knocked back out by each and everyone that was behind the ball, playing as one.
 
Town fashioned the best chance of the half after Billy Medlock won two tackles on the halfway line, he played in Leyton Schaaf who sped towards the Burgess Hill goal with the keeper to beat. As he was about to fire, a superb recovery run from a Burgess Hill defender saw the ball deflected away for a corner.
 
With the board raised to show the amount of overtime to be played, controversy played its part. The referee, David Smart, awarded a free kick to Burgess Hill that most observers thought should have gone to the home side. From the well delivered kick, there was a melee in the Town box that should have seen the visitors penalised not once but twice, however, as the ball broke free, it was delivered back into the 6 yard box where Chris Breach bundled home, under pressure from Town defenders.
 
It was yet another cruel twist in this season of so many mistakes but, on balance, it was a fair result. That said, Town showed plenty of heart, spirit and desire and, on another night, fortune may have smiled a little more kindly upon them.
 
ETFC: Dann 8, Smith 8, Hales 8, Cooper 8, Welch 8, McClean 8, Crone 8 (Elliott 83), Bold 8, Berry 8 (Clarke 54) Medlock 8 Schaaf 8 (Hollobone 77).

Starman: Everyone in yellow and navy.

Attendance: 178

Chipstead 2 Eastbourne Town 2
Ryman Isthmian League - Division 1 South
Saturday April 12th 2014
 
After their wretched season, Eastbourne Town's seven years in the Ryman Isthmian League came to an end on Saturday, as they were relegated after letting a two goal lead slip at Chipstead's High Road Stadium, despite gaining an away point from a 2-2 draw. Town raced into an early two goal lead but were pegged back by the hosts as they scored a late goal in each half to earn a share of the spoils.
 
Town went ahead with the first real chance of the match as top scorer, Billy Medlock, easily beat Chipstead's centre-back, Ben Dynett, to the ball in midfield, he then raced into the penalty area only for Dynett to trip him as he was about to fire on goal. In conceding a penalty, Dynett was lucky to escape with no further action from the match referee, John Pike. Medlock picked himself up, dusted himself down and fired the spot kick high into the top left corner of the net past Chipstead 'keeper, Milan Stosjavjevc.
 
Town then enjoyed their best spell of the match, dominating possession and territorial advantage. Gregg Berry raced through the host's rearguard and should have done better than hit the side netting with both Medlock and strike partner, Jamie Crone, looking on, waiting in the middle. Minutes later Berry again sped clear of the home defenders but his effort ended, like his previous one, the wrong side of the goalpost.
 
Just after the twenty minute mark, a long clearance out of defence found Crone who pushed the ball past Dynett before he coolly slid the ball past the advancing Stosiavievc to double the Town lead. Moments later, however, the hosts fired a warning shot over Town's bough as Dan Moody hit the post with a spectacular long range effort.
 
As thoughts were turning towards the half time break, Town's concentration levels dropped and Chipstead worked themselves back into the game. Steff Joseph found himself unmarked at the back post and he easily side footed his chance past Joe Taylor in the Town goal.

The second period saw Town pinned back in their own half for long periods as Chipstead mounted attack after attack. On the front foot, the hosts peppered the Town goal although a combination of poor finishing and resolute and courageous defending by the returning Steve Elliott and Ryan Cooper prevented any more goals. As the hosts became increasingly frustrated, a couple of their players ended in the referee's book for late tackles. Crone followed as he earned himself a yellow card when he was caught shirt pulling.

Then, as has happened so often throughout the season, when it looked likely that Town might hold on for a welcome and priceless victory, Joe Gallagher hit a twenty yard screamer past Taylor to earn Chipstead a point.

Eastbourne Town now have a busy schedule with three home games in 6 days, starting last night at home to Burgess Hill Town then they entertain Three Bridges on Wednesday evening before welcoming Walton Casuals to the Saffrons on Saturday. As the games run down, Town boss, John Lambert and his staff and players will still be targeting Crawley Down Gatwick who sit just one place above Town in the Ryman League table.
 
ETFC:Taylor 7, Smith 6, Hales 6, Cooper 7, Elliott 7, Hollobone 6, Crone 6, Bold 7, Berry 6, Medlock 7 (Clifford 72), Upton 6 (Del-Guardio 89). Unused subs: Nxumalo, Nogaro, Dann.

Starman: Tom Bold - another solid performance from the youngster.

Eastbourne Town 0 Horsham 2
Ryman Isthmian League - Division 1 South
Wednesday April 9th 2014

The Horsham FC report on this match can be found here Eastbourne Town v Horsham


Eastbourne Town in action against Horsham
Picture by John Lines

Eastbourne Town 2 Hythe Town 0
Ryman Isthmian League - Division 1 South
Saturday April 5th 2014
 
In a season of just six wins so far, Eastbourne Town completed a Ryman League double following their  2-0 victory over visitors, Hythe Town, at the Saffrons, on Saturday.
 
Town's boss, John Lambert, made enforced changes to his starting line-up as he gave a start to defender Andy Hales and home debuts to recent signings, 'keeper Joe Taylor and Liam Upton whilst Gregg Berry had to settle for a place on the bench. Town were without their influential skipper, Steve Elliott, who missed the game through injury and their top marksman Billy Medlock, who was suspended.
 
While it was welcome win for the home side, Hythe Town will wonder how they returned home to Kent with nothing after dominating the game for more than half its duration. In the first period Hythe Town spurned chance after chance to take the lead and, finally, when Shaun Welford did find the Eastbourne Town net, an offside flag negated the goal, much to the relief of the home players and their supporters.
 
After the break, the hosts were more competitive and much more creative and the balance of play switched in their favour. Their first good chance fell to the hard working Dominic Clarke but he headed wide. Soon after, the speedy Layton Schaaf ran clear of the Hythe defence but, when well placed to open the scoring for Eastbourne Town, he pulled his shot wide of the visitor's goal.
 
The deadlock was finally broken on 76 minutes, as Dominic Clarke rose highest to a right wing cross before planting a strong header beyond the despairing effort of Dan Easton, in the Hythe goal.
 
Fired up by taking the lead, two minutes later, Eastbourne Town took advantage of Hythe Town pressing for a equaliser, as substitute, Greg Berry, fired in a long range shot which found Dan Easton off his line as it flew home, to double the home sides advantage and secure the win and a very welcome 3 points.
 
With a number of home games to come, Town have closed the gap between themselves and Crawley Down Gatwick to just 6 points as they strive to avoid the Division's wooden spoon. More displays and results like this and they may yet catch them.
 
ETFC:  Taylor 7, Davidson 6, Hales 6, Gilbert 7, Sutton 7*, Hollobone 6, Crone 6, Bold 6 (Berry 64), Clarke 7, Upton 7 (Clifford 90), Schaaf 6. Unused subs: Smith, Nxumalo, Nogaro.

Starman: Ross Sutton - another powerful performance.

Attendance: 112

Whitstable Town 3 Eastbourne Town 2
Ryman Isthmian League - Division 1 South
Tuesday 2nd April 2014

Eastbourne Town suffered a late heartbreak at the Belmont, on Tuesday night, losing by the odd goal in 5 to their Kent host's, Whitstable Town. An enterprising Town side led the match twice but they were finally beaten after being reduced to ten men late in the second half, following Tom Bold's dismissal.

Town's manager, John Lambert, was forced to shuffle his pack with several players unavailable for one of the longest away trips of the season. Lambert did give a debut to very promising young goalkeeper, Joe Taylor, who has joined on a work experience loan from Coca-Cola League 2 side Brentford FC.

Town started brightly and their leading scorer, Billy Medlock, and his strike partner, Dom Clarke, both went close in the opening minutes before a Tom Bold shot from just inside the host side's half sailed over a stranded and watching Luke Watkins, into the Whitstable goal, to give Town a spectacular early lead. Minutes later Medlock found himself through on goal but his lob flew over the Whitstable crossbar. The visitor's lead did not last long as Ashley Miller, who was lucky still to be on the pitch after some lenient refereeing, shot past Town's debutant 'keeper, Joe Taylor, to restore parity.

Just after the half hour mark, Bold scored a second goal from long range, as he fired from twenty five yards out and, once again, he saw the ball fly past Watkins to restore the Town lead. The lively Scott Heard and Miller were constantly causing Town's makeshift defence a few problems but they were finding the stand-in centre backs, Tom Gilbert and Adam Davidson, in fine form, as they stood firm as the half time whistle sounded.

A refreshed Whitstable Town changed things around after the break as they started the second half with all guns blazing. After a sustained period of pressure, it came as no surprise when Charile Smith shot low past Taylor, on 55 minutes, to bring the hosts level, once more. Both teams then had good chances to edge in front before the visitor's top marksman, Billy Medlock, limped out of the contest with an injury.

Shortly afterwards Town's 2 goal Tom Bold seemingly said something to one of the match officials and he was promptly shown a red card as things began to fall apart for the visitors. These blows were followed by a final nail in Town's coffin, as with only 8 minutes to play, Ashley Miller popped up in the Eastbourne penalty box to shoot home through a crowd of players to break Town hearts and give Whitstable all three points.

ETFC: Taylor 6,Welch 6,Sutton 6,Gilbert 6, Davidson 6,Hollobone 6,Crone 6,Bold 7* Clarke 6, Medlock 6,(Nxumalo 70) (Clifford 82), Schaaf 6. Subs not used: Hales, Norgro

Starman: Tom Bold.