retired_crazyjmiles

Well, my friends it seems you've come at a bad time. As you can see by the look on dear ol' Nick Greenwood's face, I don't have to tell you the FA Cup tie at Boreham Wood didn't go as expected. After a 1-1 draw at Priory Lane, our Sports fell hard at Boreham, and I'm afraid the team didn't take it too well.

It's been a tough couple weeks around here as of late, and it seems our manager has picked up quite a nasty habit. But then again, this is a very stressful job and he's not a man that has dealt with stress well in his life, but again, that's a story for another time. Nick Greenwood still holds his pride in the club but the scuffles on the training pitch have already added a few more wrinkles on his face. But times aren't all bad, I can assure you, I still have complete faith in these brave lads of Eastbourne, and it can only be a matter of time before the team gels together. Right?

---

Warner left the room, seemingly relieved that he finally made it out back into fresh air from what had become a very dusty, gloomy, trashy hotel room that belonged to Michael Hall.

"Damn it," Michael cursed as the door came to a close and he sat in the room alone. He was such a talent, there was no denying that, but that attitude was costing him. On the field, Warner was a man on an island, a man that never seemed to touch the ball, and he was a boy against two teams, neither one liking him more than the other.

What annoyed Michael the most was that his cousin was so different. Phillip Gilder was a team player, while confident, he worked well in the team system, maybe even excelled in it and was starting to find himself fall in with the players but then there was Matty. As Gilder seemed to slowly immerse himself in the squad, Warner became more and more excluded, more and more alone.

And there was no getting through to him, Nick Greenwood had tried, Michael had gotten Phillip to try, and even the captain, model professional Lee Hook had tried, and now Michael had tried, and it seemed useless. There had to be a change, there had to be a way without losing him. Hall's biggest gamble had been the selling of Matt Crabb, a local icon, for Matty Warner who was anything but. Matt Crabb was a happy, easy-going local lad, Matty Warner was a cocky, tempermental, kid from the other side of the tracks.

Michael, openned up his notes, going briefly over the jots he had made about the dismal events against Boreham and how despite fielding in his thoughts of the best squad he could play, they went down against weaker opposition.

While Michael couldn't exactly be disappointed in the results the Sports had achieved in the league, there was a hope for more, there was almost a faith that he believed the squad could do better, and he needed to find out how to unleash this potential.

---

The phone rang, at 1 AM and Michael cursed as he sought to find his glasses then the obnoxious phone. It was Len Smith.

"I just thought I would let you know, I found a few managerial canidates"

"What?"

"You made a valiant effort, but I know this is not what you wanted so I think I've found a few names that will take over for you."

Michael's head spun. It might have been the sleep or actually the lack thereof. This was a job he had never seen himself doing or wanting to do. He didn't enjoy the weather, the accents, or the food. He hated the hotel room, he wanted to move on with his life, find a new, more comfortable job back in the States, re-start everything. He still called the sport soccer and this was a place where he was completely overwhelmed and out of place.

---

"This ain't Yankee land, mate, this here is my home. I want to make my name here, and I will. I want to win, and I'm going to play to try and make us win. Listen, I like you and all, you aren't a bad guy, but this is England. You don't belong here."

Those words had struck Michael like a backhand out of nowhere, and being the last words Matty had said since he left had given a very harsh, dramatic end to the hopes Hall had thought he could accomplish in a brief conversation with the player. Though, with that spark, with that anger in his eyes, Michael had seen a fire, a potential flame that possibly could be harnessed. How he could do that, well, he had no idea.

---

"Are you still there, Michael?"

"Yeah, and I just thought I should let you know..."

That intensity, that flicker in that young man's eyes. The words "You don't belong here" repeated in Michael's head over and over like a pounding drumline.

"...I want the job."

retired_crazyjmiles

Only two fixtures for the rest of October due to re-scheduling.

Havant & Waterlooville - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Westleigh Park
10/19/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Chapman
Myall
Smart
Warner
Gilder
Brady
Marney

Barton
Rowland
Simmonds
Murphy
Odubade

Chapman came in for the injured Kevin Hemsley.

From the kick-off this match was very one-sided. Havant dominated from the word go and Eastbourne sat on their back heels for a majority of the half. Luckily due to some decent last ditch tackles, the match went into halftime leveled at zero. But the second half was more of the same, as Havant really forced Eastbourne back, and finally started ripping gaps in the center of the defense. Geoff Pitcher found the end of a poor clearance by Chapman and buried it past Lee Hook, though, Hook should have made the save in all hindsight. A poor giveaway by Matt Smart after Hall tried to open up the game with for attacking power, forced Hook to come charging out of his goal but James Taylor skipped by him to seal off the game in the 82nd minute.

Havant & Waterlooville, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Geoff Pitcher(54), James Taylor(82)

Notes: Tough game as Eastbourne were never really in it. Midfield and possession were completely dominated by the home team and poor balls on counter-attacking attempts and sloppy giveaways sealed Eastbourne's fate.

The Attendance at Westleigh Park was 1062.

Best Performance: Matty Warner was a rare gem among the rest of the players, but he tends to shine while the rest of the team fails, this needs to be fixed. Hopefully he can prove he can pull off a win with a great performance and not just play well in losing efforts.
Worst Performance: Richard Brady was in over his head in a game where we had no possession. Without possession he is useless as he is not fast enough for a counter-attacking match.


Eastbourne Borough - Maidenhead
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
10/23/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Smart
Warner
Marney
Odubade

Brady
Barton
Simmonds
Chapman
Murphy

Hemlsey was back in action after overcoming his ankle injury. Hall tried a new strike partnership in Marney and Odubade.

Maidenhead started off the match very well, hitting the woodwork in the 10th minute, and scoring an unpredictable goal off a corner kick in the 12th. But after the goal, the match became a very tight affair with both teams struggling for possession. Maidenhead entered halftime with the advantage, and Matty Warner seemed to never get going in the first half. Yet, the second half was a different story. With Richard Brady being subbed on for the ineffective Yemi Odubade early on, the Sports seemed to do much better and came very close to finding the equalizer. Deservedly, the team took a very aggressive formation and finally found the net when Richard Brady's head met the end of a Phillip Gilder cross in the 86th minute to grab a share of the points.

Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Maidenhead, 1
Richard Brady(86) - Andy Jennings(12)

Notes: A fluke goal stole the points from the Sports today. They were the better team after the first 10 minutes, and possibly could have won the game 2-1 or by more.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 896.

Best Performance: Phillip Gilder, while a consistant performer, doesn't have too many great games, though this was one of them. He sent several great crosses in and looked dangerous when he got the ball out on the wing.
Worst Performance: Lee Hook, his blunder cost us the points. How you can let a corner fly into the net is beyond me.



Meet the Squad


Yemi "Trainwreck" Odubade
Position: Striker
Age: 20
Nation: England

Career at Eastbourne
Seasons(at EB): First Season
Apperances: 12(6 as a sub)
Goals: 2


Yemi is a very fit player with a little bit of pace, and while he seems to have all the tools to be a very good striker for Eastbourne, he has struggled to find the back of the net.


The Tough Questions
(Contributed by Benny Bailey)


How do you feel about the current collection of players on the squad?
Ya know, I was thinkin' ta myself the odder day, there ain't lot of...my folk 'round here, ya know? Lotta caspers hangin' round here, ya know? It makes me that much popular, though, and ta tell ya the truth, I think they are 'fraid of me.

You have started off slowly at Eastbourne. Why do you think this is?
Ya know, I says to myself the same question the other day. Why is Yemi missing so many goals, I says, and then it occured, if the goal was bigger, I would score more, ya know? But then I figured, if the goal was bigger than the 'keeper would be bigger, and then it's no good.

What are your expectations for the year?
I'm gonna be modest with only thirdy-five goals dis year, no more.

And the team?
Thirdy-six goals

Lastly, how did you acquire the nickname "Trainwreck?"
I think it's 'cus I'm so big and powerful dat folk fear me and trainwrecks are da same. But coach says it's 'cus I do really well but then screw it all up in the end. I think my idea is better.


Thoughts on Yemi

Michael Hall, Manager
"Well, he's great up until he has to score, where he is absolutely stunning at making horrible misses. It's a talent, I suppose."

Lee Hook, Goalkeeper/Captain
"He's a young kid and he has alot to learn."

Richard Brady, Striker
"I've gotten him drunk a few times, turned out to be a bad idea. He gets all womanly, and that **** ain't cool."

Matty Warner, Winger
"He's crap."

retired_crazyjmiles

November 2004


Eastbourne - Bromley
FA Trophy - First Round
Venue: Priory Lane
11/06/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Murphy
Warner
Gilder
Ramsay
Marney

Barton
Chapman
Smart
Simmonds
Odubade

Scott Ramsay gets the opportunity to work up front with Danny Marney. Chris Murphy takes a role in the midfield as Smart moves to the bench.

After only 30 seconds Eastbourne found themselves down one goal in a very scary "deja vu" from their Boreham Wood game where they also were down 1-0 after less than a minute. This one also came off a goal that came from about 25 yards out as the Sports backline failed to close down on John Wilfort. But, after the goal Eastbourne piled on the pressure, earning several corners until Danny Marney took advantage of a scramble in the box and tapped the ball in to equalize in the 15th minute. The best goal by Eastbourne was denied incredibly by Lee Hook when Stuart Playford had an amazing clearing header that somehow looped back toward the top left corner of the Sports goal, but Lee Hook denied his own teammate from the spectacular own goal. Other than that terrible clearance, the Sports ended halftime with a solid grip on the match.

After the halftime break, Scott Ramsay was sent free by Stuart Myall but was unable to finish as he sent the ball high over the net. In the 53rd minute, Matty Warner held the ball in the Bromley box with his back towards the goal. With a great spin, he got room away from his defender and hit a great shot that bounced off the woodwork, but Eastbourne's master poacher, Danny Marney, was there to slide the ball into the net for his second goal of the match. Shortly after the goal, Bromley went a man down after their winger, Darren Boughey was sent off for two bookings. Michael Hall took the time to make some changes bringing on Odubade and Chapman. Yemi "Trainwreck" Odubade's shot in the 76th minute was denied well by the Bromley keeper, but a charging Chris Murphy smashed it home to give the Sports a well-deserved two goal advantage. Though, amazingly Eastbourne were not done after a Danny Simmonds(who just came on for Phillip Gilder) and Danny Marney was again in the right place at the right time, and wrapped up his hat-trick with another poached goal. This was the first ever hattrick under Michael Hall. But this was obviously not enough for Danny Marney as the goal extravaganza continued in the 90th minute when Marney broke by his defender to meet the end of a well-placed Matty Warner cross and Marney recieved his fourth goal on the night.

Eastbourne, 5 - Bromley, 1
Danny Marney, (15, 54, 79, 90) - John Wilfort(1)
Chris Murphy, (76)

Notes: After the first minute lapse, Eastbourne dominated the game, and this was probably the best performance of the season. Still worried about the finishing as most our goals were after missed opportunities, but no reason to complain after a big win and a place in the FA Trophy second round.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 191.

Best Performance: Danny Marney. Man on the spot, he was there for every chance, and how could you not give it to the man that scored four goals?
Worst Performance: Lee Hook. Great performance by the team as a whole, but Lee Hook really should have done better when Bromley scored in the first minute. That goal could have really cost the Sports, but fortunately, it didn't.


---

Squad Update

Michael Hall and Len Smith completed the 1k move for Gareth Graham from AFC Wimbledon. A 25 year-old attacking midfielder, he was a very popular figure at his prior club. He had 5 caps for the Northern Ireland U-21 squad.

Gareth has supposedly only signed a contract that commits the player until the end of the season.

---


Eastbourne Borough - Redbridge
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
11/13/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(C)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade

Barton
Chapman
Smart
Murphy
Brady

Graham is thrown into the midfield only a mere five days after joining the squad. Odubade is paired up with Marney up front.

Redbridge would be the obvious favorites going into the match. In a great flowing, countering move Matty Warner found his cousin, Phillip Gilder, racing free out on the right wing. Gilder, took the ball well, and then slid a nice cross into Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade who also did well as he knocked the ball across the goalkeeper and placed the ball in the far left corner of the net. Eastbourne had the shock lead in the first ten minutes. In the 20th minute, Yemi was dragged down in the box, chasing after a Phillip Gilder through ball, and a penalty was awarded. Matty Warner smashed the ball into the top right corner of the net to get his first goal for Eastbourne, and more importantly, a two goal lead over Redbridge. Danny Marney very nearly made it a three goal lead after a scramble in the box after a Gilder cross, but his shot was just tipped around the post. Just before halftime, Lee Hook was forced to make a great stop after a Redbridge striker was sent free with a long pass, but Hook did well and kept the clean sheet going into the halftime break.

After a great first half, the second half had a bad start when Phillip Gilder picked up an injury and was forced to leave the pitch only a minute into the restart. Shocking misses by Redbridge and great saves by Lee Hook filled the second half as Redbridge openned up the game, but unfortunately for Eastbourne, the traffic was only going one way. But with the entrance of Matt Smart and Danny Chapman in the midfield around the 60th minute, Eastbourne was able to bottle down the midfield, and kill off the free flowing nature of the game. The frustrations mounted for Redbridge and finally boiled over in the form of Ben Lewis being sent off for two reckless challenges in the span of 5 minutes. Eastbourne were able to capitalize on their advantage shortly after when Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade beat the offsides trap and smacked the ball past the Redbridge keeper.

Eastbourne Borough, 3 - Redbridge, 0
Yemi Odubade(11, 82)
Matty Warner(pen 21)

Notes: Wow, a very eye-openning performance by the Sports. These last two performances were great. I just can't believe these are the same players that have botched chance after chance in prior matches, especially players like Yemi. Though, after the great win, it's hard to get too excited as Phillip Gilder was forced to leave during injury, and a long-term injury to one of our most consistant players could have a big impact.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 454.

Best Performance: Yemi Odubade. He converted his chances and actually looked deadly when he got near the goal. Scored two, earned a penalty for a third.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney. Hard to say anyone had a bad performance, but Marney did not get involved in this match besides his one goal scoring chance where he was denied and probably should have scored.


---

Squad Update

Phillip Gilder has a groin strain and is expected to miss around two weeks.

This injury looks like it will force Gilder to miss the second round of the FA Trophy against Farnborough.

---


Eastbourne Borough - Basignstoke
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
11/17/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemlsey
Myall
Graham
Warner
Marney
Ramsay
Odubade

Barton
Murphy
Chapman
Smart
Brady

Marney moves to to the right wing and Ramsay comes in up front to compensate for the injured Phillip Gilder. Eastbourne missed a good chance to take the lead in the first fifteen minutes when Gareth Graham sent Odubade free in the middle but Yemi was unable to keep the ball down and his shot went sailing. Graham also showed his skill when he sent Scott Ramsay free in the 30th minute, but Ramsay was unable to beat the keeper. But bad give-aways filled the final fifteen minutes of the half and Eastbourne considered themselves lucky to be even at halftime.

Basingstoke's Simon Hutchinson went just wide after the break and the visitors looked to be in complete control after the good start from the Sports. Possibly the best chance of the game so far fell to Richard Brady in the 67th minute after he came on for Scott Ramsay. Warner's free-kick took a deflection off the wall, and fell right to Richard Brady who shot the ball right at the Basignstoke keeper who saved easily. But Brady made up for it in the 83rd minute, when he smacked a free-kick over the wall from 23 yards out and the Basignstoke keeper never moved as the ball hit the back of the net.

Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Basignstoke
Richard Brady(83)

Notes: Despite having a few great chances, we did not deserve three points in this game,and probably not even a draw. We were dominated, but the goal by Richard Brady from an unpredictable free-kick stole the points, and we aren't complaining.

Eastbourne just finished a run of 4 straight games at home, drawing one and winning three.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1163.

Best Performance: Lee Hook. Game could had easily been 2-1, 3-1 but he had a remarkable game.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney. Probably not his fault, but he was playing somewhat out of of posistion and his lack of crossing skills proved him ineffective.


Newport County - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Newport Stadium
11/20/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Murphy
Marney
Brady
Odubade

Barton
Chapman
Smart
Simmonds
Ramsay

Warner is being rested after the string of fixtures and Chris Murphy takes his spot out on the left wing. Richard Brady finds himself paired up with Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade up front.

Eastbourne had a great chance in the first minute when Richard Brady was sent through by a Danny Marney pass from behind the halfway line, but his shot went straight at the keeper and was easily controlled. In the 7th minute, the Sports found themselves up when a corner sent in my Richard Holmes found fellow full-back Stuart Tuck who buried the header into the net. Newport County equalized ten minutes later when a cross which should have been cleared crossed the goal mouth and Jamie Moralee was waiting on the far post for the easy tap in.

After the halftime break, Richard Brady had yet another great chance but his talent at hitting the ball right at the keeper was again shown. Just after being subbed on for Richard Brady, Scott Ramsay went just wide when he found some space in the box. Newport County had an equally great chance when Wilson-Denis sliced through the middle of the Eastbourne defense but his shot was well off target. A lapse in marking at the end proved very costly as Cortez Belle was left unmarked on a cross and volleyed it home from short range in the 85th minute.

Newport County, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Stuart Tuck(7)
Jamie Moralee(17)
Cortez Belle(86)

Notes: Well, the run had to come to an end, and in a game that was really a toss-up, it had to go one way or the other. Our backline made a crucial mistake in a game where we should have probably taken a point.

The Attendance at Newport Stadium was 488.

Best Performance: Danny Marney. In a complete turn-around from the last performance in the same position, Marney contributed to several great moves and was a legitment threat out on the wing.
Worst Performance: Yemi "Trainwreck" Odubade. He was very quiet and really had no impact in the game. Not good for the striker that you are depending on for goals.


Thurrock - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Unknown Stadium
11/24/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemlsey
Myall
Graham
Warner
Marney
Brady
Odubade

Barton
Chapman
Smart
Murphy
Ramsay

Warner is back in action and Michael Hall is sticking with the Brady-Odubade pairing up front while Gilder recovers from his groin strain.

Eastbourne found themselves down in the first minute when a cross went uncontested in the box and Tresor Kandol pounced on the loose ball and hammered it home. Only 5 minutes later, the Sports probably should have been down by two but the shot by the Thurrock striker went awfully wide. Eastbourne were completely controlled in the first half, and were forced to gladly take only a one goal defecit into the halftime break.

Matty Warner almost equalized well against the run of play off a free-kick but the ball was barely punched around the post. That shot was the first actual attempt at goal for Eastbourne in the match. And that shot turned out to be the best chance of the half as Thurrock successfully killed off the game with no real fight from the Sports.

Thurrock, 1 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Tresor Kandol(1)

Notes: We were outshot 18 to 1, and that one shot was off a free-kick. The score looks very forgiving compared to what it possibly should have been. We were unable to get the ball up to the strikers and when we did, they gave it away. Marney is needed up front, this is very clear.

The Attendance at the match was 409.

Best Performance: Richard Holmes. Yes, he was a defender, but he broke up several attacks by Thurrock and proved why he had cemented a place in the starting eleven.
Worst Performance: Yemi Odubade had yet another very quiet game.


Eastbourne Borough - Farnborough
FA Trophy - Second Round
Venue: Priory Lane
11/27/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Simmonds
Marney
Odubade

Barton
Chapman
Smart
Murphy
Ramsay

Marney is back up front as Danny Simmonds gets his first ever start for Eastbourne. Phillip Gilder just misses out due to fitness level.

The Sports fell to Farnborough in their match against them earlier this season in the Conference South; 3-0.

Farnborough took an early lead as poor marking by Stuart Playford allowed a simple run to get behind him and Lenny Johnrose easily finished. But a very poor mistake by the Farnborough backline proved costly as David Murray's back pass was intercepted by Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade who notched his fifth goal of the season off the mistake. Poor clearances by Eastbourne almost proved costly for the squad, but two great saves by Lee Hook and a clearance off the line by Richard Holmes kept the scores level. Kevin Hemsley picked up a knock in the 37th minute and was forced to be taken off in a huge blow to the Sports backline. Danny Chapman was brought on in his place.

Lee Hook continued to keep Eastbourne in the match during the second half with great saves and Marney almost gave the Sports an against the run of play goal when he made a trademark run by the finish grazed the top of the bar. Lee Hook continued to be called in action when he was forced in yet another string of saves, concluding in a point blank save that cleared the ball just off the line. The 72nd minute marked another amazing save by Lee Hook as he turned over a close header off a cross and pushed it just over the bar. During the events of Lee Hook's saves, Marney failed to convert two counter-attacking oppurtunities. Stuart Playford was left in no man's land in the 80th minute, and Lee Hook couldn't even make the save but luckily for Eastbourne, the left post could and amazingly Eastbourne stayed level by the time the final whistle blew.

Eastborune Borough, 1 - Farnborough, 1
Lenny Johnrose(10)
Yemi Odubade(30)

Notes: We got lucky with this draw, but unfortunately it doesn't look bright as we will now have to travel to Farnborough for the replay. Marney did miss a few chances that should have made Farnborough pay for their lack of finishing, but can't complain too much.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1033.

Best Performance: Lee Hook, simply said he was absolutely brilliant.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney wasted key chances that could have stolen the game for us.

---

Squad Update

Kevin Hemsley will miss about a week due to a sprained wrist.

retired_crazyjmiles

League Table

http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=table2wy5.jpg

As you can see, despite the solid run of four games(one cup), Eastbourne were unable to pull too far away from the relagation zone, which is a worrying sign as it makes me wonder what more I can expect from my team and what the Sports need to do to avoid the drop. I'm not sure how often I will be able to win a string of matches and if 7 points from 3 games wasn't enough to put a decent gap inbetween, that can only be a bad sign.


The Gareth Graham Signing

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4994/grahamsigningxh5.th.jpg

Fans loved the new signing and he has quickly become a staple in the starting eleven. We can only hope that he performs well and can lead the team in the middle of the pitch and pull some strings that will keep us away from the bottom.

Matty Warner's form

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/911/warnerfindingformnw8.th.jpg

Matty Warner seems to be finding his form after a very hot/cold run. This can only be a good thing.

retired_crazyjmiles

FA Trophy - Replay

Farnborough - Eastbourne Borough
FA Trophy - Second Round Replay
Venue: Cherrywood Road
12/01/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Chapman
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade

Ramsay
Barton
Smart
Murphy
Baker

Gilder is back in the side after overcoming a groin strain. Baker makes the bench as Chapman is in for the injured Hemsley.

Danny Marney was denied from close range in the 5th minute after a fine Eastbourne movement started by Phillip Gilder who sent Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade on a run, who centered to Graham, who exposed a gap in the Farnborough defense when he found Marney free. Farnbrough responded with a counter-attack that they somehow managed to botch after having two attackers clear with only Lee Hook to beat. Odubade was denied in the 30th minute when Danny Marney sent him through on a long pass, but the ball was tipped away after a weak shot by Yemi. That miss proved costly as Farnborough took the lead in the 35th minute when a deep cross was not cleared by Eastbourne defenders and Lenny Johnrose headed it past Lee Hook.

Shortly after the break Johnrose increased his tally against Eastbourne and headed in another ball, really hammering home the weakness of the Sports backline. A mistake by Playford allowed a Farnborough striker to skip by him after a long kick by the Farnborough keeper and seal off the game 3-0. Warner had a perfect chance to grab a goal back in the 78th minute after Gilder picked him out unmarked on the back post, but his volley hit the crossbar.

Farnborough, 3 - Eastboroune Borough, 0
Lenny Johnrose(35, 49)
Bertie Brayley(72)

Note: Harsh result. Two weak headers(one from the edge of the box) marked our doom and while chasing the game, Stuart Playford made an absolutely horrible, stupid mistake to let in the third weak goal of the match. The first header should have easily been cleared, no idea how the second header could be so wonderfully placed.

The Attendance at Cherrywood Road 678.

Best Performance: Matty Warner was one of the better players today. He made a few nice long passes to set our strikers free but they came to nothing.
Worst Performance: Stuart Playford. Absolutely wretched performance.

retired_crazyjmiles

December 2004


Squad Update

Stuart Tuck signed a one year extension on his current contract to commit himself to the club until 2006.

On top of adding a year to his contract, Stuart also took a small paycut.

Eastbourne Borough - Weston-Super-Mare
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
12/8/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade

Barton
Chapman
Smart
Murphy
Brady


Matty Warner pulled Eastbourne up one in the 25th minute when he found space at the edge of the box. With no defenders closing him down, Warner fired the ball into the top right corner of the net. Just before the halftime break, a cross along the ground by Matty Warner found Danny Marney in space, but Marney's shot went just wide and into the side-netting.

Weston found an equalizer 10 minutes after the break when Michael Jackson converted a free-kick just outside the box. Stuart Myall almost took the lead back for Eastbourne in the 74th minute when a Stuart Tuck cross found him unmarked in the box, but his volley was knocked away by the keeper. Chris Murphy had one last shot at grabbing the three points for Eastbourne but his shot was well-saved and stoppage time expired.

Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Weston-Super-Mare
Matty Warner(25)
Michael Jackson(55)

Notes: Eastbourne was obviously the better team during the match, but the Sports failed to put them away with their advantage and they paid for it with two points dropped.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 869.

Best Performance: Matty Warner scored the nice goal and has really started to shine for the Sports.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney continued to fail under the pressure of converting key goals in key moments.

---

Squad Update

Just while he was on a great run of form after weeks of struggling, Matty Warner is expected to miss two weeks with a calf strain.

---

Bishop's Stortford - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Woodside Park
12/11/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemlsey
Myall
Graham
Murphy
Gilder
Ramsay
Marney

Barton
Odubade
Chapman
Smart
Simmonds

Scott Ramsay and Chris Murphy enter the starting eleven for the match against Bishop. Bishop sit 2nd on the table coming into the match.

Fan favorite Gareth Graham committed a penalty in the third minute, but Lee Hook bailed out the midfielder when he was able to stop the attempt from the penalty spot. But Steve Parmenter did give Bishop the lead after 10 minutes when he was left free to take a shot from distance and he didn't waste the chance. In the 25th minute Danny Marney gathered in a pass from Phillip Gilder, turned his man and buried the equalizing goal. But the even scoreline was short lived as a poor challenge by Richard Holmes led to a large gap that Bishop's Steve Morison exploited and hammered the ball through Lee Hook. Lee Hook was unable to control a shot in the 44th minute and the rebound was tapped in giving the Sports a huge defecit of 2 goals at the halftime break.

As the game approached the final 30 minutes, Danny Marney made the game interesting when he turned in a Chris Murphy cross to cut Bishop's lead to one. Lee Hook kept Eastbourne in the match shortly after when yet another simple cross created way too much trouble in the Sports' box and Lee Hook was forced to make a point-blank reaction save. Danny Marney went free in the 92nd minute and had a chance to seal his hattrick and a point for the Sports but his shot went wide.

Bishop's Stortford, 3 - Eastbourne Borough, 2
Steve Parmenter(10)
Danny Marney(26,62)
Steve Morison(35)
Spencer Knight(44)

Notes: We were obviously outplayed but were still in the game late and Marney had a great chance to steal a point against a top team in the division. Unfortuantely, it didn't go our way and Marney's shot went wide.

The Attendance at Woodside Park was 1560.

Best Performance: Danny Marney found his goal scoring boots, but unforunately they ran out of steam at the end, that did not completely tarnish his two goal performance.
Worst Performance: Gareth Graham had an absolutely horrible game and was subbed off at the halftime break.

---

Squad Update

In the last match, Danny Marney reached the yellow card limit of 5 and is automatically suspended for the next match at Welling who currently sit 4th in the table. ****ing great.

---

Eastbourne Borough - Welling
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
12/18/04

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(C)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Murphy
Gilder
Ramsay
Odubade

Baker
Barton
Chapman
Simmonds
Smart

Scott Ramsay returns into the starting eleven for the suspended Danny Marney.

The first half was brutal for Eastbourne. Shots rang in from everywhere, thank goodness the Welling strikers have horrible aim and only one out of their thirteen shots were on target. The biggest blow of the half came when Lee Hook was forced to leave the pitch at the 38th minute and 16 year-old Seb Barton was forced to come in for the keeper/captain. Stuart Tuck was given the armband.

The second half was more of the same and very much against the run of play Yemi "Trainwreck" Odubade turned in a cross by Chris Murphy to give the host the stunning lead. Welling deservedly but still heartbreakingly equalized in the 86th minute when a lapse of defending proved yet again very costly.

Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Welling, 1
Yemi Odubade(59)
Lee Spiller(86)

Notes: Despite the late equalizer by Welling, I really can't complain. They deserved the three points in this game really, and I think of it as a point gained.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 812.

Best Performance: Chris Murphy played great in Matty Warner's absence.
Worst Performance: Matt Smart. He was brought on to kill off the game, but as soon as he came on, the game openned up. Go figure.

---

Squad Update

Stuart Tuck reached his yellow card limit and will miss the next match.

Lee Hook will miss about two months with a broken collarbone. We are ****ed.

---

Lewes - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: The Dripping Pan
12/21/04

Line-Up Sheet

Barton
Holmes
O. Rowland
Playford
Hemsley
Smart(c)
Graham
Murphy
Gilder
Marney
Odubade

Baker
Chapman
Myall
Simmonds
Ramsay

Barton in for Hook, Rowland in for the suspended Tuck, Smart in for the exhausted Myall(who is still forced to take a place on the bench). Warner is still out due to injury and Danny Marney returns. No goalkeeper on the bench. Holy ****, this should be interesting.

6th minute: Barton misjudges a cross and leaves an open goal, 1-0 Lewes.

14th minute: Odubade misses a chance.

18th minute: Marney misses a chance.

28th minute: Lewes' goalkeeper kicks the ball out straight to Gareth Graham who was right outside the box. Gareth promptly shoots the ball into outer space.

34th minute: Lewes scores again, 2-0.

59th minute: Marney scores to make it a game.

66th minute: Barton cannot control a routine back pass and the ball goes to a Lewes striker, 3-1.

86th minute: 4-1 Lewes. This is no freaking joke. They were playing a 4-2-4 while up 3-1.

93rd minute: Game thankfully comes to a close.

Lewes, 4 - Eastbourne, 1
Barry Moore(7, 37)
Danny Marney(59)
Marc Whiteman(66, 86)

Notes: No comment.

The Attendance at The Dripping Pan was 648.

Best Performance: Phillip Gilder wasn't especially bad.
Worst Performance: Seb Barton.

---

Squad Update

Stuart Playford met the 5 card yellow limit and is suspended for the next match

retired_crazyjmiles

Decemember 2004: Results(part 2)


Squad Update

Michael Hall signed 19 year-old English goalkeeper Michael Harrington on a contract until the end of the season.

---


Eastbourne Borough - Sutton United
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
12/26/04

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Chapman
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade

Barton
Baker
Smart
Murphy
Ramsay

Chapman comes in for the suspended Playford. Warner is back in action after his injury. Michael Harrington finds himself in the line-up only two days after signing with the club.

Another early goal on a very simple cross put Eastbourne Borough down a goal in the 2nd minute. Danny Marney looked to have made up for the poor defending in the back in the 28th minute when he dribbled through the box and slipped the ball under the Sutton goalkeeper. But, not wanting to give up the limelight, Eastbourne's defense were exposed yet again when another simple cross was not cleared when it should have been, and an unmarked Sutton midfielder, Paul Honey, slipped through for an easy goal.

The second half was a much quieter half. The best chance of the half came when Matty Warner picked out Scott Ramsay in the box, but the Sutton keeper made a great save on his volley attempt to keep the ball out in the 85th minute.

Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Sutton United, 2
Paul Honey(2, 32)
Danny Marney(28)

Notes: We played well, Harrington didn't make any costly mistakes, but this marking on crosses needs to be fixed and the Sports need to figure out how quick.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1525.

Best Performance: Matty Warner had a big impact on the match, when Eastbourne had a nice move, he was involved. His pass sent Danny Marney through for his goal, and his cross should have led to an equalizer when Scott Ramsay was denied.
Worst Performance(s): Kevin Hemsley and Danny Chapman. Their poor marking cost us this match.


Hornchurch - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: The Stadium
12/28/04

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade

Barton
Ramsay
Murphy
Smart
Chapman

Stuart Playford is back after suspension.

Alex Varney found himself free in the box after a nice Hornchurch move and put Eastbourne down a goal after 12 minutes. A bad clearance by Richard Holmes in the 28th minute led to another goal by Hornchurch. A third goal came for Hornchurch in the 38th minute when David Morgan made space in the box on a cross and the Sports were down three goals going into halftime.

This game was over by halftime, no this was not Istanbul and we aren't Liverpool, obviously.

Hornchurch, 3 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Alex Varney(13)
Andy Douglas(28)
David Morgan(38)

Notes: Hornchurch were a much better team.

The Attendance at The Stadium was 374.

Best Performance: Gareth Graham played well considering the overall performance
Worst Performance: Stuart Myall was a doormat during most Hornchurch attacks.



Eastbourne have fallen to 20th in the table and that means they enter the relegation zone. December has been an awful month for the Sports.

retired_crazyjmiles

The New Year: January 2005

Eastbourne Borough - Saint Albans City
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory lane
1/01/05

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley

Chapman
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Marney

Barton
Baker
Murphy
Odubade
Myall

Pre Match Notes:Michael Hall switched around his formation and instead of the aggressive 4-4-2 in the past, Michael has worked his tactic out for a 4-5-1. Danny Marney will be up front, supported on the wings by Warner and Gilder, while Graham and Smart will control the midfield with Danny Chapman in the holding role.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Previous Tactic FC FC AML AMR MC DMC LB DC DC RB ----New Tactic FC AML AMR MC MC DMC LB DC DC RB</pre>


I'll be honest, I thought in the Conference South, one main tactic with minor tweaking match to match would be enough, but that hasn't proven the case. Eastbourne doesn't have the talent to beat teams with a simple tactic, and more, game to to adaptation is going to be required. We are going to need to beat teams tactically from now on if we have any shot at staying up, and luck might be required, too.


Match
The new tactic was seemingly working in the first third of the game, and the only real chance of the match in the first thirty came off a fluke, deflected shot that Harrington just parried over to keep the scores level. Danny Marney had the Sports' first chance of the match in the 35th minute on a counter-attack. He was set free by a nicely placed pass by Matty Warner, but he couldn't keep the shot down. The score was 0-0 at halftime, with very few chances on either side.

The game completely changed 3 minutes after halftime when Stuart Tuck gave up a stupid penalty with a poor challenge inside the box only seconds after Harrington was forced to parry his header away from a possible own goal. The penalty was converted, and Eastbourne were forced to chase the game. Substitute Yemi Odubade almost leveled on the 50th minute, but his shot was parried away. Gareth Graham sent Danny Marney free on the 57th minute, and Marney placed his shot well, equalizing for Eastbourne. After a Saint Albans' attempt went inches wide, Matty Warner made no mistake on a free-kick 23 yards out, knocking right over the wall and giving the oppposing keeper no chance in the 85th minute. A dramatic go ahead goal, and a goal that might possibly lead to a major 3 points. Only 3 minutes later, Phillip Gilder notched his first goal for Eastbourne as Saint Albans' were unable to recover as they threw men forward. With one defender against three attackers, Chris Murphy slid the ball across the box to Gilder who finished easily. To judge add the the chaos, a free-kick taken by the Saint Albans' keeper hit Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade in the head, and bounced into the goal from about 35 yards out.

Eastbourne Borough, 4 - Saint Albans' City, 1
Tom Davis(pen 49)
Danny Marney(56)
Matty Warner(85)
Phillip Gilder(88)
Yemi Odubade(90)

Notes: Cannot be more pleased, we needed luck and we sure got alot of it. After the poor penalty we gave up, I figured it was all over when I was forced to try and open the game back up. The Matty Warner free-kick put in motion the last two goals.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 677.

Best Performance: Matty Warner. Amazing shot stole three points for Sports in a clutch goal. Absolutely brilliant performance just with that free-kick.
Worst Performance: Stuart Tuck. He's very lucky that penalty didn't cost Eastbourne.

---


Eastbourne Borough - Dorchester
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
1/03/05

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley

Chapman
Graham
Warner
Marney

Ramsay
Odubade


Subs

Barton
Baker
Smart
Murphy
Brady

Pre-Match Notes: Michael Hall decided to go with the aggressive 4-4-2 formation. Marney moves to the right attacking midfield role for Phillip Gilder who needed the rest. Chapman secures the holding role after a very solid performance two days prior. Scott Ramsay will be paired up with Odubade at the top. Richard Brady, who scored in the first minute in these two teams' last meeting starts on the bench.

If you don't remember the first match against Dorchester, it was the 4-3 thriller at the beginning of the season. Dorchester currently sit 21st on the table.

Match
Eastbourne found themselves down afer 9 minutes when Harrington did well to block a shot, but was unable to stop the shot resulting from the rebound by Matty Groves. Yemi Odubade almost equalized shortly after when a Danny Marney cross took a deflection, but his shot was knocked over the bar. Scott Ramsay was tripped up inside the box in the 23rd minute in a reckless challenge and Matty Warner stepped up for the big penalty, and he buried it. Yemi Odubade went just wide in the 34th minute off a Matty Warner cross. Scott Ramsay picked out a run by Danny Marney on the far side, and Marney met his cross with a nice volley that hit the back of the net to give the Sports the lead. Eastbourne went into halftime clearly in control of the match.

Matty Warner almost made it 3-1 in the 62nd minute when substitute Richard Brady's shot took a deflection that fell to Warner but his shot went just wide. Matt Smart picked out Brady out in the 67th minute, and Richard Brady cooly knocked the ball by the keeper from the leftside and gave Eastbourne the two goal advantage.

Eastbourne Borough, 3 - Dorchester, 1
Matt Groves(9)
Matty Warner(pen 24)
Danny Marney(39)
Richard Brady(67)

Notes: We hammered them. Absolutely great result. Couldn't be more happy after another big victory. These two teams we just beat now both sit below us on the table. Major three points.

The Attendance at Priory lane was 864.

Best Performance: Matty Warner, can't seem to praise this player enough.
Worst Performance: Stuart Playford, made a very bad mistake when the game was 1-0, but he was fortunately not punished for it.


Margate - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Crabble Athletic Ground
1/08/05

Last Meeting: 0-0 at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley

Chapman
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Marney

Subs

Barton
Murphy
Baker
Smart
Odubade

Pre-Match Notes: First-choice line-up by Michael Hall and after the last couple results, Eastbourne looked to continue their good form, but a draw would be a very good result in this match. Margate currently sit 5th in the table while Eastbourne have fought their way up to 18th.

Match

Che Stadhart went completely unmarked on a corner in the 4th minute and headed the ball past Harrington to give Margate the early lead. After Matt Smart as forced to clear the ball out for a corner, Che Stadhart had another great chance to score by Michael Harrington deflected the ball just over the bar. The half came to an end with Margate in complete control and the Sports not able to get a single shot towards the Margate goal.

Eastbourne got an undeserved equalizer in the 67th minute when subbed on Chris Murphy found Danny Marney in the box and his flicked on header floated over Paul Newell and into the back of the net. Harrington was forced into action in the 74th minute when he made a save off an open header by a Margate striker and the rebounded shot flew over the bar. Che Stadhart went inches wide only a few minutes later when he was left unmarked on ther right side on a crossed in free-kick. Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade almost scored a goal in the 85th minute off a Warner cross but his headed ball was cleared off the line. In the 91st minute, Che Stadhart beat Stuart Playford on a long ball, Michael Harrington came out to make the stop, missed the ball, and Stadhart easily finished to give Margate the lead in stoppage time.

Margate, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Che Stadhart(4, 90)
Danny Marney(67)

Notes: Tough loss to swallow be we were outplayed today and it was probably the fair result.

The Attendance at Crabble Athletic Ground was 331.

Best Performance: Matty Warner had another great game, he's been on great form.
Worst Performance: Phillip Gilder had a very rare bad match and was subbed off early in the second half.

---

Squad Update

Matt Smart reached the 5 yellow card limit and will miss the next game due to suspension.

---

Eastbourne Borough - Farnborough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
1/11/05

Last Meeting: 3-0 Farborough at Cherrywood Road

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley

Chapman
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Marney

Subs

Barton
Baker
O. Rowland
Murphy
Odubade

Pre-Match Notes: Stuart Myall comes in for the suspended Matt Smart. Ollie Rowland makes the bench and Danny Marney starts up all-alone up front. Farnborough have beaten Eastbourne 3-0 twice at Cherrywood Road, but the last meeting at Priory Lane in the FA Trophy Cup ended 0-0.

Match

A cross in the 3rd minute went uncontested by the Eastbourne defense and Robert Traynor took full advantage of the easy oppurtunity with a header, giving the visitors an early one goal lead. Only 10 minutes later it was increased to a two goal lead when Stuart Tuck was beat on the left side and the ensuing cross was volleyed in by Lloyd Blackman. In the 32nd minute, Danny Marney broke free past the Farnborough backline and placed the ball just past the right side of the Farnborough keeper to pull a goal back. In an odd statistic, at this point only three shots had been made all game for both teams and all three had found the back of the net. And the trend continued in the 36th minute when Paul Harkness found space in the box and smashed the ball through Michael Harrington. The first missed shot of the match came only a short while later when Danny Marney was denied from close range after a nice run by the forward.

Michael Hall changed around the formation to a much more aggressive look for the second half. Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade was denied a half-volleyed goal in the 67th minute in the first real chance of the second half. Gareth Graham went just wide with a shot from long range in the 90th minute but it was still much too late for an Eastbourne comeback.

Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Farnborough, 3
Robert Traynor(3)
Lloyd Blackman(13)
Danny Marney(33)
Paul Harkness(36)

Notes: What more is there to say? Farnborough had three shots all game, all three went in. Frustrating. And we have yet to beat Farnborough in 3 chances. The goal ratio in our meetings is 10-2. At least that fairy Lenny Johnrose didn't score against us.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 2172.

Best Performance: Danny Marney was a constant threat up front.
Worst Performance: Matty Warner had a very off-game.


---

Squad Update

38 year-old Paul Stevens signed a contract Glapwell and will complete the free transfer when his Eastbourne Borough contract expires on July 1st.

Stevens has not factored into the starting eleven yet this season for the Sports.

---

Bognor Regis - Eastbour Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Nyewood Lane
1/15/05

Last Meeting: 3-1 Bognor Regis at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley

Chapman
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Marney

Subs

Barton
Murphy
Baker
Myall
Odubade

Pre-Match Notes: Smart is back from suspension and Stuart Myall falls back to the bench. Bognor currently sit 4th in the league while Eastborough currently hold 17th.

Match

Bognor Regis should have taken the lead after only 30 seconds after a very nice movement from the kick-off but Steve McMahon's shot flew over the bar from short range. Steve McMahon made up for his earlier miss when he took a long-range shot and Michael Harrington deflected the ball into his own net. Danny Marney's shot sailed just wide after he was sent through by Matty Warner in the 25th minute and a Matty Warner shot sailed just over the bar a few minutes later. Luke Nightingale put Bognor up 2 goals in the 42nd minute when he made a nice run in the box and headed home a well placed cross.

It was 3-nil just after halftime when a long cross(just past the half line) found a completely unmarked run by Mark Parker. Marney shot went across the goal mouth in the 52nd minute after Phillip Gilder sent him free down the right side in the 52nd minute. Michael Harrington just knocked the ball around the post after Luke Nightingale was sent free through the middle as Eastbourne pushed men forward. A very poor giveaway late in the game just added the embarassment of the match when Stuart Playford's clearance made it just to the penalty spot and the pouncing Bognor player easily finished. Chic Charnley wasn't closed down in the 90th minute and he took the oppurtunity to smash the ball past Michael Harrington from distance.

Bognor Regis, 5 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Steve McMahon(12)
Luke Nightingale(42)
Mark Parker(48)
Chris King(77)
Chic Charnley(90)

Notes: Ouch.

The Attendance at Nyewood Lane was 1172,

Best Performance: No one had a good match.
Worst Performance: King of the crap today was Stuart Playford. Congratulations Stuart it's a pretty tough feat to be the worst player on a team that just lost 5-nil.

---

Squad Update

Kevin Hemsley reached the 5 yellow card limit and will be suspended for the next match.

---

Eastbourne Borough - Carshalton
Confernce South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
1/22/05

Last Meeting: 2-2 at the War Memorial Sports Ground

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Baker
Playford

Chapman
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Marney

Subs

Barton
Odubade
Murphy
O. Rowland
Myall

Pre-Match Notes: Darren Baker is in for the suspended Hemsley. Ollie Rowland find himself on the bench. Carshalton currently sit 5th on the table while Eastbourne find themselves just above the relagation zone at 19th.

Match

Danny Marney was sent through in the 6th minute by a long ball by Phillip Gilder but his shot went horribly off target and he had another chance when Matty Warner sent a cross in a minute later but his header went over the bar. Michael Harrington was called into action after some actual fine play by the Eastbourne defense and a last ditch tackle by Richard Holmes fell to a Carshalton striker and Harrington did well to parry the shot. After a great clearance by Stuart Playford in the 28th minute, Phillip Gilder gathered the ball and found Danny Marney on yet another one on one, but the forward couldn't be the keeper with his low-driven shot. Carshalton took the lead shortly after when a cross found it's way through the box and found Nic McDonnelll at the end of it who tapped the ball in. After being booked earlier, Matty Warner decided that arguing an unimportant call was very important and promptly got his second booking and was sent off just before halftime.

Yemi Odubade came very close to equalizing in the 71st minute when a deflected pass by Phillip Gilder found him in the box. With the ball at his feet, Odubade turned his man and fired a shot that was just tipped away by the goalkeeper. After a long kick that cleared the backline of Carshalton, Yemi had a perfect oppurtunity to grab a huge equalizing goal in the 80th minute, and with only the keeper to beat Odubade completely misfired. McDonnell should have sealed the points for Carshalton shortly after but he completely mishit the ball from short range, and Odubade was involved in a counter-attack shortly after. He skipped by the keeper and put the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed because of an offsides flag. Paul Rostron sealed the game in the 88th minute when Stuart Playford was caught out and the Carshalton player easily placed it by a diving Michael Harrington.

Eastbourne Borough, 0 - Carshalton, 2
Nic McDonnell(28)
Paul Rostron(88)

Notes: Frustrating game as we fall back into relagation zone in a game that we were a man down but still had several oppurtunities at at least a point.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 753.

Best Performance: Phillip Gilder had a game where he was involved in many Eastbourne movements
Worst Performance: Matty Warner, stupid red card

---

Squad Update

Danny Chapman reached the 5 yellow card limit and will miss the next game due to suspension. With Matty Warner's red card, he will also miss the next match.

Phillip Gilder and Richard Holmes are in need of rest and will probably miss the next couple matches.

---

Cambridge City - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: City Ground
1/29/05

Last Meeting: 2-0 Eastbourne at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Cooper
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley

Myall
Smart
Graham
Murphy
Marney

Odubade

Subs

Ramsay
Simmonds
Barton
Baker
O. Rowland

Pre-Match Notes: Cooper in for the rested Richard Holmes, Marney moves to the right attacking midfield for the rested Phillip Gilder. Stuart Myall takes the holding role for the suspended Danny Chapman and Chris Murphy takes the left sided midfield role for Matty Warner who is also out due to suspension.

Don't think this match will be pretty.

Match

The first goal came in the fourth minute when Kevin Hemsley let Itonga sneak by him for the easy finish. Itonga doubled his goal-scoring tally only 10 minutes later. To sum up this half, Eastbourne had one legitment chance at goal that Danny Marney completely botched by holding onto the ball with an empty net, and Cambridge completely pounded the crap out of our goal but somehow didn't score a third.

More of the same, they somehow didn't score another goal. Shaun Cooper topped off his great debut for Eastbourne Borough by getting sent off in the 85th minute.

Cambridge City, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Carlin Itonga(3, 13)

Notes: We got run over.

The Attendance at the City Ground was 489.

Best Performance: Michael Harrington. He is the only reason the score wasn't 5,6 to nil.
Worst Performance: Everyone not named Michael Harrington.

---

Squad Update

More great news obviously...

Kevin Hemsley will be out about a week with a sprained wrist. Stuart Myall will an estimated two weeks with a twisted ankle. Matt Smart will miss about a week with a chest injury.

Shaun Cooper will be suspended for the next due to his red card.

retired_crazyjmiles

League Table

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6407/table3hf7.th.jpg

The Squad

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9678/moraleag3.th.jpg

Just posted it to show the morale. As you can see, our morale isn't exactly high.

retired_crazyjmiles

The referee blew the final whistle and Michael Hall couldn't help himself as he drew a big sigh of relief.

One point, he thought to himself with almost disbelief, we got one ****ing point.

Weymouth had come in topping the Conference South Table with a decent six point lead over their nearest competitors, Bishop's Stortford. In 27 matches they had only conceded 15 goals(the best in the league) and scoring 45 goals(third best in the league). Their striker Marcus Richardson was absolutely tearing the league apart with his 19 goals for the club and Richard Brush, the Wemouth goalkeeper, had kept an impressive 13 clean sheets in only 22 league appearances.

On the other hand, Eastbourne had come into the match currently just in relagation zone at the 20th spot. In the same 27 matches, the Sports had conceded 49 goals(fourth worst) and scored 30 goals(6th worst). Though, Danny Marney had an impressive 14 goals in the league, the other strikers hadn't been as deadly. Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade was the next leading scorer in the league for the Sports and he currently sat 44th in the goal-scoring ranks with 5 followed by Richard Brady(4) at 65th and Matty Warner(4) at 72 as opposed to Weymouth who had two players in the top 15.

Yet, with grit, determination and every Eastbourne player behind the ball all match had helped, they had pullen off the point against Weymouth with a 0-0 draw. But the point wasn't the most important outcome of the match.

---

Scott Ramsay chested down the ball from Gareth Graham. Gareth had done well to pick the 6'2 striker out from the two centrebacks that continuely hassled him. With the ball now at his feet Ramsay, used his right arm to keep the defender to his right off the ball. Danny Simmonds made a run down the right and Ramsay slid the ball out and took off in a run of his own. Simmonds played the one-two back to Ramsay who had cut inside the second defender and continued his run toward the right side of the box. Then out of nowhere, the Weymouth full-back slid in hard, catching Ramsay in the back of the leg and Scott tumbled to the ground in a roll. There were shouts heard all around the grounds, namely from Eastbourne supporters, and especially from Nick Greenwood, even the usually calm Michael Hall got off his feet, though not a word was spoken from his mouth as he watched on.

Robbie Pethick, the full-back who committed the foul, stood over Ramsay staring at him as he lay on the ground. Eastbourne players tried to crowd around and show Robbie their appreciation but were held back by players on their own side, and a few of the Weymouth. Then, the most unlikely thing happened.

Robbie Pethick fell forward, shoved in the back by Matty Warner. Robbie tumbled to the ground. "You do that **** again, and I'll end your ****in' career, mate," were all the words he needed to say.

Warner then looked over at Michael Hall. Not a long look, just a quick glance before the referee was forced to call Warner over and show him the yellow card after a long discussion. It was only brief, but Michael saw the smirk Warner had given him, and a small smile found it's way onto Hall's face as Nick Greenwood went livid next to him, ranting and raving how he was "lucky not to be sent off" and a "stupid mistake".

Through all the bad form, the run-ins on the training pitch, the bad losses, the relagation battling, Matty Warner had come around.

Matty Warner was now an Eastbourne Sport.


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In the most dire part of the season, the injuries, suspensions, and fitness levels of the squad had all dropped as quickly as their form and despite the one point against Weymouth, there was alot of work to be done.

The call earlier that evening had added even more pressure for Michael Hall, it had been Len Smith.

"Lad, the job is yours through the end of the season, and if we avoid relagation, we'll look at giving you an extension," were the best words and the worst words Michael Hall had wanted to hear. Going into the beginning of the season, everyone had assumed, looking at the talent level, that Eastbourne would be at the very bottom of the table from the beginning to the end, and Michael Hall's achievement of just battling to stay up was quite an accomplishment, but staying up was a whole different matter.

The dim light from the table side lamp filled only about half of the tiny hotel room Michael Hall called home. As Michael Hall prepared for an almost must win match against bottom dwellers Hayes, the light would stay on well into the morning.