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Eastbourne Town in action against Worthing

EASTBOURNE TOWN 2 WORTHING 2
Ryman League South Division One
Saturday 18 February 2012   Report by Kieran Poole  

History repeated itself as a last-gasp Town equaliser snatched a point from the east versus west Sussex clash in Eastbourne on Saturday.  Just like in October Town left it late to earn a draw, and now extend their unbeaten league run to four matches.   Worthing had taken a controversial lead in the 19th minute when a Darren Budd free-kick was headed across goal and handled into his own net by stand-in skipper Steve Elliott.  However, several Town players had seemed to stop, believing the Referee had awarded a penalty.  Boss Danny Bloor was shocked by the decision.  He said, “He blew the whistle and then allowed play to continue which I found bizarre.  It was very strange.”   Eastbourne’s target-man, Danny Curd, equalised with a guided header from a superb, inch perfect Sam Crabb cross in the 54th minute. Curd's header was well placed as it brushed the post on its way in as Mansfield could only spectate.  Sam Crabb then carved a gilt-edged chance for himself only to lack composure 10 minutes later.  He did well to slide in for a loose ball with ‘keeper Adam Mansfield, and as the ball ricocheted back his way, he couldn’t apply a finish with the goal at his mercy as Worthing defenders pressurised.   Town were made to pay five minutes later, as Worthing retook the lead when a Mansfield long punt was chased by Budd who squared for substitute Jamie Brotherton to fire past Kieron Thorp.  But the drama wasn’t over and Nathan Crabb’s 89th minute dinked equaliser means Town have been beaten only once in 2012. 

Bloor said, “After not playing for three weeks, it was great for the boys to be back on the pitch. All be it in the wind and rain.”  Bloor praised centre-forward Curd’s influence on the game. He said, “He was outstanding. And of course it was nice for him to score a goal.”

Eastbourne Town: Thorp 7, Denton 7, Storrie 7, Elliot 7, Graves 7, May 7, Davidson 7, Crabb S. 7, Curd 8, Crabb N. 7, Geard 7 (Percival 76’ 7)   Subs not used: Kessack, Simmonds, Brooks, Godfrey  

Worthing: Mansfield, Piper, Metcalfe, Kennett, Hurley, Woodburn, Budd, Huckett (Gedling 40’), McBride, Manton (Brotherton 51’), Davies (Pulling 79’)  

Bookings: ET: - W: Budd, Davies   Referee: Jim Paterson   Attendance: 212   Goals: ET: Curd 54’; Crabb N. 89’ M: Elliot OG 19’; Brotherton 69’  

Man of the match: Danny Curd – produced a hustling display which earned a deserved goal  

PLEASE NOTE that the Eastbourne Town first team home game against Walton Casuals FC due to be played on Saturday 11 February 2012 was called off due to a frozen pitch.

PLEASE NOTE that the Eastbourne Town first team home game against Burgess Hill Town has been brought forward to Friday 2 March 2012 with kick off at 7.45pm. Also the postponed Crawley Down game will now be played on Saturday 24 March kick off 3pm.

The Eastbourne Town first team game against Bognor Regis Town due to be played on Saturday 4 February 2012 was called off due to a frozen pitch after a referee's inspection.

RAMSGATE 0  EASTBOURNE TOWN 0
at Southwood Stadium Saturday 28th January 2012 3pm  
Ryman League South Division One
By Kieran Poole  

Eastbourne Town put in a rugged performance on the Kent coast as they recorded back-to-back clean sheets.   Town were able to match the physicality of Ramsgate through the tackling of Scott Kirkwood and Steve May in midfield, and dealt comfortably with numerous set-pieces.   Chances were few and far between throughout, as Ramsgate looked to dominate in the air from Simon Pettit throw-ins, and Town looked to catch them on the counter-attack.   Town, however, could have entered the half-time break with a lead, when in the 44th minute, a Danny Twyman goal-kick was sent back from where it came by the head of Kirkwood, setting forward Danny Curd through on goal.   Curd shot early with two Ramsgate defenders chasing but saw his low effort well-saved, and so the sides finished even at half-time.   Both sides had headed efforts on goal mid-way through the second-half.   In the 61st minute, Ramsgate’s Luke Wheatley headed over at the near-post from a Steve O’Brien free-kick, and ten minutes later, it was the turn of Town skipper Nick Fogden to miss-time in the air, on this occasion at the back-post.   Ramsgate did manage to skim Town ‘keeper Kieron Thorp’s bar as a cross evaded everyone and fell onto the woodwork in the 83rd minute.   However, the last few minutes proved to be the most exciting.   The introduction of forward Kai Bichard provided pace and energy, and nearly proved a masterstroke as he was first to an Owen Kessack corner but directed his header over in the 90th minute.   Fellow-sub Kessack went close in injury-time as he scrambled to win the ball ahead of the keeper but couldn’t hook his right foot around six yards out, as he came under pressure from defenders.  

Boss Danny Bloor was pleased with his side’s two clean sheets in a row and the performance again of the goalkeeper and back-four. He said, “The clean sheets are testament to what they have put in.”   He added, “We had to defend a lot of set-pieces. There was no way they were going to break us down in open play.”      

Eastbourne Town: Thorp 7, Denton 7, Storrie 7, Elliot 7, Fogden 7, May 7, Davidson 7, Kirkwood 7(Bichard 72’), Curd 7 (Crabb S. 83’), Crabb N. 6, Geard 6 (Kessack 66’)   Subs not used: Graves, Simmonds  

Ramsgate: Twyman, Yianni, Wheatley, Woodward (Hughes 72’), Quinn, Laslett, Hickman, Taylor, Pulman, Pettit, O’Brien  

Bookings: ET: Fogden, Kirkwood, Geard R: ? Referee: Ian Fissenden  
Attendance: 140

Man of the Match: Steve May – produced a grinding performance in the centre of the park    

Eastbourne Town's game at the Saffrons against Goldaming Town scheduled for Tuesday 24 January 2012 was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.

EASTBOURNE TOWN 0  FOLKESTONE INVICTA 0
The Saffrons Saturday 21st January 2012 3pm  
Ryman League South Division One
Report by Kieran Poole  

Boss Danny Bloor was delighted with his side’s best defensive performance of the season at The Saffrons on Saturday.   Town ‘keeper Kieron Thorp produced a string of fine saves in the second-half to ensure his side earned a point. Bloor hailed Thorp’s and his back-four’s performance as “absolutely outstanding”.  

Town were made to work hard by Folkestone, especially after losing Kai Bichard for a second bookable offence in the 60th minute.   Few chances were created in a timid first-half in blustery conditions not too different to those in October for the reverse fixture which ended in a 1-1 draw.   Folkestone’s James Everitt had two goal-bound headers in 10 minutes. The first in the 21st minute was weak and the second, from a Josh Burchell free-kick, was smothered by Thorp.   Town’s Nathan Crabb nearly went in on goal from a quick free-kick in the 38th minute but Folkestone’s ‘keeper Jack Delo was sharp to clear before Crabb could capitalise.  

The second-half was slow in getting going but after the sending off, high-flying Folkestone were made to rue a host of missed chances as Bloor’s side stood strong against an onslaught.   The Kent side were up against an inspired Thorp who touched over a 25-yard drive from Darren Smith in the 51st minute. He then palmed away a James Everitt volley seven minutes later.   Incredibly Thorp’s opposite number Delo went close to scoring when he pumped upfield the resultant free-kick from Bichard’s second yellow. It took a wild bounce before Thorp, who tipped over.   But Thorp’s best moment was to come from a bullet header by Smith in the 70th minute. He somehow reacted and clawed it away, to the appreciation of his teammates.   This was not the end of Folkestone’s pressing and Thorp was called into action in the 77th minute when top-scorer Stuart King neatly turned a Town defender to feed Smith, who struck first time but Thorp deflected over.   Folkestone continued to create opportunities and their clearest was headed wide at the back-post by Burchell from four yards in the 88th minute.   Dramatically in injury-time Town sub Aaron Hopkinson went through on goal but was booked for simulation after tangling with a defender.   Bloor believes this was incorrect. He said, “Everyone is adamant we should have had a penalty when Aaron was hauled down.”   But he was pleased with the point. He added, “We’ve got a settled backline. Sometimes you need to roll your sleeves up. We did that.   “To play with 10 men and keep a clean sheet is delightful. I’m really proud of my players.”                                           

Eastbourne Town: Thorp 8, Davidson 7, Storrie 7, Elliot 7, Fogden 7, May 7, Curd 6 (Hopkinson 85’), Kirkwood 7 (Denton 76’), Bichard 5, Crabb N. 6, Geard 7 (Crabb S. 72)   Subs not used: Kessack, Graves  

Folkestone Invicta: Delo, Vincent, Burchell, Friend, Chappell, Dickson (Gonnella 64’), Smith, Marsden (Austin 90’), Everitt J., King, Everitt M.  

Bookings: ET: Bichard (2) Kirkwood, Fogden, Hopkinson
FI: Gonnella   Reds: ET: Bichard FI: -    Referee: Michael O’Keefe  

Man of the match: Kieron Thorp – encapsulated his side’s superb defensive display

 

Matt Geard takes control against Folkestone Invicta
Photo by Jack Gracie

FAVERSHAM TOWN 1  EASTBOURNE TOWN 1
Salters Lane Saturday 14th January 2012 3pm  
Ryman League South Division One

The Eastbourne Town first team home game against Godalming that was abandoned due to floodlight failure has been rearranged for the evening of Tuesday 24 January 2012.

EASTBOURNE TOWN 1  DULWICH HAMLET 3
The Saffrons Saturday 7th January 2012 3pm
Ryman League South Division One 

Having completed a league double over Whyteleafe in their last home game, on Saturday, Eastbourne Town suffered the same fate, as Ryman title contenders, Dulwich Hamlet, subjected the hosts to a 3-1 defeat at the Saffrons. Having also been dumped out of the FA Cup by the same opponents, Town will be pleased not to see Dulwich Hamlet again this season. Town's first game of the New Year was yet another competitive affair, played in much better conditions than their previous game versus Whyteleafe. The Town ground staff had worked hard to repair what was a quagmire of a pitch only a few days before.  

Having seen Sonny Cobbs move to league leaders, Bognor Regis Town, during the week, Eastbourne Town boss, Danny Bloor was able to include Ryan James in his starting line up, as the popular and influential midfielder had just been released by Oxford United only a few days before. Scott Kirkwood was also included, having recovered from a knock that had seen him miss the matches over the festive period.  

In an open game, good chances were few and far between in the opening half. The physically bigger and stronger visitors just shaded the first half, with their reward a goal scored by the ever dangerous Frankie Sawyer on 27 minutes. Andre Costa hit the bar from one of a number free kicks conceded just outside the box by the hosts. They were unable to clear the danger and, when it was delivered to the far post, an unmarked Sawyer smashed home from the edge of the 6 yard box. Finding themselves a goal behind, Town produced an immediate response and started to attack with much more purpose but no real cutting edge. However, Keiron Thorp in the Town goal had to be at his sharpest to save from the dangerous Ishmail Kamara just after the half hour mark, as Dulwich broke with their usual speed and purpose.  
At the start of the second period, Eastbourne boss, Bloor changed from 4-5-1 set up to a more orthodox and attacking 4-4-2 formation, and his decision was vindicated within five minutes of the restart, as the home side equalised with a goal of real quality. Following a build up of Town pressure, the ball was played to Ryan James on the edge of the Dulwich box and his beautifully cushioned pass was met at full stride by Scott Kirkwood who, with a great first touch, took the ball into the Dulwich box, away from pursuing defenders, before opening his body to guide a delightful curling effort into the corner of the visitor's net for his 5th league goal of the campaign.  

With their tails up, Town now looked the most likely to win as a Kai Bichard piledriver was well saved by Dulwich 'keeper, Phil Wilson. A Ryan James' free kick and another Bichard effort were also well defended as Town took the game to their iconic visitors. However, with the match nicely poised, it was a series of substitutions with 15 minutes left that were to prove influential the final outcome. Dulwich brought on a couple of very pacey players that breathed fresh life into their side, and, with it came a final push for a winning outcome.  With only 5 minutes left, Town contributed to their own downfall as they were again guilty of not marking well enough from set plays. A well delivered corner from the right was met full pelt by Dulwich defender, Morath-Gibbs who climbed way above any Town challenge to thunder a header past Thorp, to put the visitors back in front. Town's final effort saw the hard working Nathan Crabb caught marginally offside as he looked to break through the massed Dulwich defensive ranks. As the hosts gambled on finding an equaliser, the visiting side scored what was to be the best of four super goals on 89 minutes. Andre Costa produced a mazy run from the left that left 3 Town defenders on their backsides as he twisted and turned into the Town penalty box before unleashing a thunderbolt of a shot past Thorp's despairing dive.  

The final scoreline certainly flattered the visitors as, on another day, the hosts may well have gotten a point for their considerable efforts. However, Bloor was left to ponder another home defeat with the coup-de-grace again delivered in the very latest stages of a game. Dulwich's joy was further enhanced with the news that Sussex based title challengers Bognor had drawn and Whitehawk had lost. Those last 15 minutes did, indeed, prove influential to Dulwich's day by the seaside.     

ETFC: Thorp 7 Storrie 6 James 6 Elliott 7 Fogden 7 May 6 Kirkwood 7 Davidson 7 Bichard 7 N.Crabb 6 Kessack 6 Subs: Hopkinson (for James 76) Freeman (for Kirkwood 82) Not Used: S.Crabb, Geard, Graves.  

MoM : Adam Davidson....wholehearted, efficient and effective.

Attendance: 246 

Pictured above - Eastbourne Town FC Players Open New Branch of Ladbrokes

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