retired_crazyjmiles

February 2005: Results

Hayes - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Church Road
2/05/05

Last Meeting: 0-0 at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
O. Rowland
Chapman(c)
Playford

Graham
Murphy
Warner
Gilder

Odubade
Marney

Subs

Barton
Simmonds
Smart
Baker
Brady

Pre-Match Notes: Ollie Rowland is in for the rested Stuart Tuck, while Michael Hall throws forward a very aggresive side in a match where Eastbourne Borough need to pick up three points. Matt Smart finds himself on the bench for Chris Murphy, who will be positioned just behind the strikers. Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade starts up front with Danny Marney.



Match

In the 11th minute Matty Warner hit the post when he found room in the box and his header found the crossbar, and the resulting clearance was sent out for an Eastbourne corner. Chris Murphy found room when he cut through the middle off a Gareth Graham through ball, but his shot sailed high and wide on him. Yemi Odubade almost put Eastbourne up in the 16th minute when he pounced on a rebound and with an empty net in front of him, only a last ditch tackle by a Hayes defender kept the scores level. Matty Warner picked out an across goal run by Danny Marney in the 20th minute and Danny Marney turned the ball into the net with a nice downward header. Michael Harrington did well to keep Eastbourne up in the 27th minute when he was forced into action from a short-ranged header, and he tipped the ball over the crossbar for a corner. The resulting corner led to a counter-attack by Eastbourne when Phillip Gilder sent Chris Murphy free, but Murphy shot went just wide of the right post. Gareth Graham missed a perfect oppurtunity for a two goal lead when Yemi Odubade picked him out at the edge of the box and his shot just sailed wide.

Michael Harrington did well on a low-driven shot from just inside the box by Kyle Lightbourne just five minutes after the restart. Ollie Rowland was called into action shortly after when Michael Harrington went out for a cross and the net was left empty. Rowland did well to clear a resulting shot off the line and keep Eastbourne ahead. With the narrow lead and Hayes starting to get some great chances, Michael Hall opted for some tactical changes, switching to a conservative 4-5-1 and bringing on Matt Smart and Darren Baker. Another substitute, Richard Brady was denied a goal in the 72nd minute when he struck the ball from long-range and his shot was turned around the post. The most chaotic period of the match, a scrabble in the box after poor marking by the Eastbourne backline led to 3 shots on goal, where Michael Harrington was equal to two of them and Phillip Gilder cleared another shot off the line, his clearance off the line bounced to Matt Smart who then sent Richard Brady free on a counter-attack, but his effort was just tipped over the bar by a diving Hayes' keeper in the 80th minute. Hayes piled on the pressure late and sent in many dangerous crosses that fortunately for the Sports, amounted to nothing.

Hayes, 0 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Danny Marney(2)

Notes: We controlled the first half and the second half we were on our backheels for most of the match, but couldn't be happier with the result. Really edgy last ten minutes, but a huge three points.

The Attendance at Church Road was 432.

Best Performance: Danny Chapman. He had a great match at centreback, clearing several crosses, long balls which has been the bane of the Eastbourne defense, and then did well in the holding role late.
Worst Performance: No real bad performances in this match, but Richard Brady did have two huge chances to kill off the game late, and was denied.


Eastbourne Borough - Havant & Waterlooville
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
2/12/05

Last Meeting: 2-0 Havant & Water at Westleigh Park.

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley

Graham
Murphy
Warner
Gilder

Odubade
Marney

Subs

Chapman
Barton
Ramsay
Simmonds
Smart

Pre-Match Notes: Michael Hall decided to ride the confidence of the match against Hayes and went with yet another very aggressive formation at home against Havant & Waterlooville. Kevin Hemsley is back after injury and Stuart Tuck is back and captaining the side after being rested.

Match

Chris Murphy sent a great through ball up to Yemi Odubade in the 2nd minute but his shot was parried, and Danny Marney couldn't chase down the rebound. A long throw only a few seconds later found Graham in the box who centered to a completely unmarked Matty Warner, but Warner got the shot all wrong. Stuart Playford misjudged a cross in the 8th minute and a great save by Michael Harrington kept the scores level at 0. Danny Marney was somehow denied the openning goal in the 12th minute when a flick on header by Chris Murphy found him at the back post but his shot was saved. Havant had a great chance in the 20th minute when Richard Holmes was beat on the right side, but the shot after a centered ball into the box went sailing. The inability to clear in the 26th minute led to a goal for Havant when Aaron Skelton pounced on the loose ball and slammed it home. Aaron Skelton doubled his tally in the 34th minute when he was unmarked on a short free-kick and fired it into the top right corner from distance.

Michael Harrington did his part to keep the game at only a two goal difference when a long cross found an unmarked Havant player in the box and Harrington did well to tip the ball away.

Eastbourne Borough, 0 - Havant & Waterlooville, 2
Aaron Skelton(26, 34)

Notes: Very even game, to be honest. Two lapses in defense and the inability to finish chances cost us.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1040.

Best Performance: Yemi Odubade made several great runs but failed to finish, still a decent performance.
Worst Performance: Stuart Playford made several bad defensive mistakes.


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Squad Update

Matty Warner and Phillip Gilder both reached the 5 yellow card limit and will miss the next match due to suspension.

Richard Holmes, Stuart Tuck and Stuart Playford are all in need of rest.

Lee Hook could possibly be back in action for the next match at Maidenhead as he is recovering from a broken collarbone.

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Maidenhead - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: York Road
2/19/05

Last Meeting: 1-1 at Priory Lane.

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Cooper
O. Rowland
Chapman
Hemsley

Myall
Smart
Graham
Murphy
Marney

Odubade

Subs

Harrington
Simmonds
Baker
Stevens
Brady

Pre-Match Notes: Club captain Lee Hook is back after two months of injury and unfortunately will be supported by a thrown together backline with Ollie Rowland and Shaun Cooper filling in for the rested fullbacks, and Danny Chapman taking place for the rested Stuart Playford. Murphy and Marney are out on the wings for the suspended Gilder and Warner.

This is a huge match at Maidenhead as Eastbourne and the host sit level on points at 18th and 19th at the table with the Sports holding the edge due to goal difference.

Match

Eastbourne took the lead after just 5 minutes when Chris Murphy had a great individual effort down the left wing and his cross fooled the keeper and fell right upon the head of Yemi Odubade who finished easily. The second clear chance of the match came 20 minutes into it when Yemi Odubade had a small openning and made the choice for a shot just inside the box that sailed wide. Maidenhead probably should have leveled two minutes later but Yaku's half volley on the cross went wide left. Eastbourne took the slight advantage going into halftime, up a goal.

A shot from long distance by Gareth Graham was juggled by the Maidenhead keeper and Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade jumped on the loose ball and made him pay for his mistake in the 63rd minute. In the 65th minute Maidenhead pulled a goal back when Yaku headed home a short cross from the left side and two minutes later Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade was sent off for a second booking. In the dieing minutes of the match, Maidenhead had several great attempts at goal but the heroics of captain Lee Hook and a goal-line clearance by Danny Chapman saved all three points for the Sports.

Maidenhead, 1 - Eastbourne Borough, 2
Yemi Odubade(5, 61)
Lawrence Yaku(65)

Notes: Huge three points in a match that we were clearly the better team until the sending off put us on our backheels.

The Attendance at York Road was

Best Performance: Yemi Odubade had a great game(despite his sending off). He looked very dangerous and found the net twice in two huge goals.
Worst Performance: Paul Stevens came on late and only was a liability.


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Squad Update

Due to his red card, Yemi Odubade will be suspended for the next match.

Gareth Graham also signed a one year contract extension that will commit him to Eastbourne to 2006.

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Eastbourne Borough - Thurrock
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
2/22/05

Last Meeting: 1-0 Thurrock at Unknown Stadium

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Cooper
O. Rowland
Chapman
Hemsley

Myall
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Marney

Subs

Brady
Harrington
Simmonds
Murphy
Baker

Pre-Match Notes: Warner and Gilder are back from suspension, but Michael Hall continued to rest Tuck, Holmes and Playford as a result, the backline goes unchanged. Richard Brady makes the bench as Danny Marney starts up front. Thurrock currently sit 15th in the table, just two spots but seven points above the Sports.

Match

A goal identical to Kandol's first minute goal in the last match between these two sides gave Thurrock the early lead in the 7th minute, Dwayne Plummer was the scorer. Danny Marney was sent through in the 20th minute and he tried to round the keeper but was denied by a last ditch tackle that sent the ball out for a corner. Thurrock doubled their lead in the 35th minute when a Thurrock attacker went unmarked for the easy header.

The second half had very few chances on either side.

Eastbourne Borough, 0 - Thurrock, 2
Dwayne Plummer(7)
Andy Hall(35)

Notes: We never looked threatening going forward, and two poor mistakes on simple crosses(one from a corner) cost us.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1013.

Best Performance: Stuart Myall ran the midfield today.
Worst Performance: Lee Hook showed some rust after missing two months.


Redbridge - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Oakside
2/26/05

Last Meeting: 3-0 Eastbourne at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Chapman
Hemsley

Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Odubade
Marney

Subs

Murphy
Harrington
Ramsay
Baker
Smart

Pre-Match Notes: Michael Hall opts to really make a statement, three points over Redbridge who, he feels are a beatable side, would be huge for saving the Sports from relegation. Odubade is back from suspension and is paired up front with Danny Marney.

Match

Several chances went to both teams in a very open first twenty minutes. Danny Marney actually put the ball in the back of the net on a breaking move by the Eastbourne but his goal was disallowed for offsides. Redbridge drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Goma Lambu found the ball at the edge of the box after a poor clearance and slotted the ball just inside the right post. Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade had a great chance for an equalizer 3 minutes later but he couldn't keep the ball down but he made up for it when Phillip Gilder dribbled the ball into the box and flicked it onto Yemi who smashed the ball through the Redbridge keeper. Matty Warner hit a sparkling freekick around the wall and into the back of the net in the 42nd minute to give Eastbourne the advantage going into halftime.

Yemi made it a two goal advantage in the 48th minute when he was picked out by Gareth Graham on the run, and he chipped the keeper for a very nice goal. Danny Marney made a nice run off of Yemi Odubade and Gareth Graham picked him out in the 51st minute. Marney did well, shooting across his body and placing the ball just out of reach of the keeper and into the bottom right corner.

Redbridge, 1 - Eastbourne Borough, 4
Goma Lambu(23)
Yemi Odubade(26, 48)
Matty Warner(42)
Danny Marney(51)

Notes: Very open match, and we took our chances well. Michael Hall took a big risk on the away fixture of this match with a very aggressive formation and it paid off.

The Attendance at Oakside was 425.

Best Performance: Yemi Odubade, Gareth Graham was fantastic, but Yemi scored two vital goals and has been on fire lately. He has scored 4 goals in two matches against Redbridge and 4 goals in his last two matches. He couldn't have found his goalscoring skills at a better time.
Worst Performance: Phillip Gilder. In a match where most players excelled, Gilder was average.

retired_crazyjmiles

League Table

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/3831/table4az0.th.jpg

Great looking table with 9 matches to go, have to like our odds a little bit more for staying up, but we are still a quarter of the matches from the finish. Alot can change.


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Danny Marney/Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/989/odubademarneycomparegk9.th.jpg

A comparison of our two best/most used forwards.


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Gareth Graham/Danny Chapman

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7021/grahamchapmancomparegc8.th.jpg

A comparison of our players who were superb in February and were a key to our success. These two players had the best form through the month. Danny Chapman was great in the backline and the holding role in the middle, while Gareth Graham was a major factor in the attacking play from his midfield role.

retired_crazyjmiles

March 2005: Results

Basignstoke - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: The Camrose
3/05/05

Last Meeting: 1-0 Eastbourne at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley

Chapman
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Marney

Subs

Odubade
Harrington
Baker
Murphy
Smart

Pre-Match Notes: A first choice line-up by Michael Hall as he reverts to the 4-5-1 away from home. Basignstoke currently sit just a spot above Eastbourne in the standings and currently lead the Sports by one point.

Match

The 14th minute saw Matty Warner shine again on another free-kick, when he placed the ball perfectly over the wall and into the top corner fo the net. The chances were few and far between, and 3/4ths of the shots in the first half came from free-kicks. Basignstoke probably deserved an least an even scoreline going into the second half.

Basignstoke almost got their equalizer in the 52nd minute when full-back Neville Stamp's just just flew over the crossbar after he was not closed down on the right side. Yemi Odubade received the ball at his feet at the halfway line and with a sharp turn he completely beat his defender and made a great, pacey run down the middle. Not only was his turn good but his finish was great as he placed the ball perfectly in the far corner of the goal in the 62nd minute. Possibly the goal of the season for Eastbourne Borough. In the 78th minute, Yemi stole the ball deep in Basignstoke territory and passed the ball back to Phillip Gilder who sent the ball across to Matty Warner who was just inside the box. Matty Warner was tripped up and a penalty was awarded. Matty Warner stepped up for the penalty and he smashed the spot kick by the keeper. Yemi Odubade increased the total in the 81st minute after with a well taken goal from just inside the box.

Basingstoke, 0 - Eastbourne Borough, 4
Matty Warner(14, pen 79)
Yemi Odubade(62, 81)

Notes: Wow, what a win. I don't know why, but Eastbourne have been playing absolutely fantastic lately. That's 6 goals for Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade in his last three appearances.

The Attendance at The Camrose was 331.

Best Performance: Matty Warner was absolutely great in this match. Led the attacks from the left wing and scored two goals.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney was very quiet in this match.


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Squad Update


Boston United and Eastbourne Borough sealed the transfer of Eastbourne's Richard Brady for £6000. Brady will join the League Two club immeadiately. Brady didn't get much of a run for the Sports but he will be remembered for his first minute goal in the rememberable first league match at Dorchester, his very late goal against Maidenhead to steal a point at Priory Lane, and of course, his late winner against Basignstoke also at Priory Lane.

While Brady scored some very big goals for the club, his overall skill wasn't enough to earn the full support of Michael Hall and found himself on and off the bench alot during his stay at the Sports. He made a total of 17 appearances(5 off the bench) and scored four goals for the club.

Darren Baker signed a contract with Hastings United. The 30 year-old Eastbourne defender has been used sparingly in the squad so far and will join his new club in the summer off a free transfer.

Michael Hall has completed the signings of two players. Both players will join Eastbourne in the summer.

A 37 year-old dutch central defender John Veldman signed a one year contract with the Sports. Veldman had one cap with the Dutch national squad and currently plays for lower league Dutch side Elinkwijk.

Scott Oakes, the 32 year-old Stotfold attacking player, also signed a one year contract with the club. Oakes had one call-up to the England U-21 squad.


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Eastbourne Borough - Newport County
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
3/12/05

Last Meeting: 2-1 Newport at Newport Stadium

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Cooper
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley

Chapman
Myall
Graham
Warner
Marney

Odubade

Subs

Harrington
Murphy
O. Rowland
Smart
Ramsay

Pre-Match Notes: Danny Marney moves out to the wing for the rested Phillip Gilder, and Shaun Cooper finds himself in for the rested Richard Holmes. Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade starts up front.

Match

Yemi Odubade continued his streak of goals when he put Eastbourne up after 7 minutes on a counter-attack. Matty Warner sent him through up the middle, and Yemi did well to slot it by the Newport goalkeeper. Jamie Moralee should have equalized in the 12th minute when he received the ball just infront of goal but he completely missed the target. Newport did equalize in the 25th minute off a long distance cross and Antonio Corbisiero made a nice run and used his head to push the ball past Lee Hook.

Newport's strker Jamie Moralee missed another sitter just 5 minutes after the restart as they openned up into a 4-3-3 formation to try and expose more gaps in the Sports 4-5-1 formation. A huge scramble in the Eastbourne box resulted after a corner was mis-cleared and Lee Hook was called into action twice with two saves before Danny Chapman finally hoofed the ball out of danger. In a match full of counter-attacks, Lee Hook sent a long ball forward and substitute Chris Murphy pounced on the ball and after a nice run in the final third, placed the ball just by the Newport goalkeeper in the 78th minute. In the 82nd minute, Newport's Genith Jones received his second booking on the night for a dive and was sent off. After the sending-off, Eastbourne took complete control of the previously very even match and the heroics of the Newport goalkeeper kept the score at 2-1.

Eastbourne Borough, 2 - Newport County, 1
Yemi Odubade(7)
Antonio Corbisiero(25)
Chris Murphy(78)

Notes: I don't know what has happened to my old Eastbourne squad that missed huge oppurtunities and gave away easy goals. This 4-5-1 formation has seemed to have made a huge transformation of my squad.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1346.

Best Performances: Gareth Graham. Ran the midfield the entire match, quite possibly the best performance in the midfield this season.
Scott Ramsay: Has yet to score for Eastbourne and had several great chances in this match but had very poor results.


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Squad Update

Lee Hook picked up a groin strain and will miss about two weeks.

Danny Chapman picked up a chest injury and will the next week or so.

Danny Marney picked up a thigh strain but should only be out for about a week.


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Weston-super-Mare - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Woodspring Park
3/15/05

Last Meeting: 1-1 at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
O. Rowland
Playford
Hemsley

Myall
Smart(c)
Murphy
Odubade
Gilder

Ramsay

Subs

Barton
Graham
Wyborne
Simmonds
S. Rowland

Pre-Match Notes: Several players were declared not fit after the last match three days ago, and Michael Hall throws together an interesting looking line-up. Michael Harrington takes the place of the injured Hook, Stuart Myall in the holding role for injured Chapman, Matt Smart is captaining the side for the rested Gareth Graham. Odubade takes the left wing while Scott Ramsay starts up front. Rhys Wyborne could make his competitive debut if he comes off the bench.

Match

Michael Harrington made a great save in the 15th minute when a Weston striker made a nice turn in the box and fired a hard shot but Harrington did well to get in its' path. After a long build up Colin McKenzie found room in the Sports' box but his shot went just wide in the 25th minute. The first half saw very little real chances for each side and the scoreline remained 0-0 going into the break.

Weston-super-Mare took the advantage in the 61st minute when a cross found it's way through the box and to the head of David Gilroy who snuck it by a diving Michael Harrington. Eastbourne never really threatened going forward and were held to only two shots all match.

Weston-super-Mare, 1 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
David Gilroy(61)

Notes: Didn't really expect much with this line-up, quite possibly could have been worse than the 1-0 scoreline, but the loss isn't as great a concern as it would have been a few months earlier.

The Attendance at Woodspring Park was 457.

Best Performance: Ollie Rowland did very well filling in for Stuart Tuck.
Worst Performance: Stuart Myall was very wasteful with his passing.



Eastbourne Borough - Bishop's Stortford
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
3/19/05

Last Meeting: 3-2 Bishop at Woodside Park

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Cooper
O. Rowland
Playford
Hemsley

Myall
Smart(c)
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Odubade

Subs

Marney
Barton
Wyborne
Stevens
Murphy

Pre-Match notes: Michael Hall puts sticks to the 4-5-1 against Bishop's Storford who currently sit 2nd in the Conference South table. Danny Marney finds himself on the bench after recovering from his thigh strain.

Match

Eastbourne dominated possession in the first 20 minutes of the match but chances were few and far between. A Matty Warner free-kick was the first real chance of the match in the 37th minute, but his shot went wide of the target.

A shot from distance almost but Bishop up in the 50th minute but the crossbar kept the ball out and Stuart Playford cleared the rebound. In the 65th miute another Bishop shot hit the crossbar, this time a header from close range. Only minutes later Michael Harrington pulled off two great saves to keep the score level as Bishop started to find gaps in the Sports' backline. But the breakthrough finally came in the 71st minute when another unmarked man finally snuck the ball past Michael Harrington. In Eastbourne's second chance of the match, Matty Warner sent Danny Marney free down the middle but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Bishop put the Sports in a two goal hole after a bad giveaway by Ollie Rowland led to a counter-attack and after a few fine passes by Bishop, Steve Morison smashed the ball past Michael Harrington in the 79th minute.

Eastbourne Borough, 0 - Bishop's Stortford, 2
Jack Midson(71
Steve Morison(79)

Notes: Eastbourne didn't create many chances the entire match and Bishop openned up the gaps in the second half. They were clearly the better squad.

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 749.

Best Performance: Matty Warner contributed to all the main chances for the Sports
Worst Performance: Matt Smart made no contribution to the match.


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Squad Update

Stuart Playford, Eastbourne's 33-year old central defender, tore his hamstring on a "routine training drill" and will be out for an estimated 3 months.

Just after recovering his his chest injury, Danny Chapman picked up a groin strain and will miss another week.

Going into the final month of fixtures, Eastbourne still have some work to do, but if you'd had offered Michael Hall and Len Smith an Eastbourne Borough squad that sat 16th in the table with 5 matches to go at the begging of the season, they would have taken it in a heartbeat.

Eastbourne currently sit 5 points above the relegation zone and 4 spots but they still have two matches against opponents below them in the standings(Lewes at 20th, and St. Albans City at 21st)

retired_crazyjmiles

April 2005

The last month of the season, five matches to go.


Welling - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Park View Road
4/02/05

Last Meeting: 1-1 at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Baker
Hemsley

Myall
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Marney

Subs

Harrington
Odubade
Wyborne
O. Rowland
Murphy

Pre-Match Notes: The backline has a few injuries and Darren Baker is called to plug in the gap. Danny Marney is back in action and finds himself starting up front.

Match

Marney was denied on an excellent chance in the 13th minute after an interception by Warner and a great long ball by Gareth Graham, but Danny was unable to finish. After an offsides against Welling, a free-kick bounced clear by the Welling defenders and forward Danny Marney made them pay as he pounced on the long ball and sent it by the Welling goalkeeper in the 26th minute. Welling had several free-kick chances in a span of 5 minutes but they were unable to get any shots on target.

Phil Collins should have leveled the score just after the restart when a bad clearance fell to his feet, but he blazed the ball over the bar. In the 50th minute, Eastbourne were a man up after Welling central defender Lew Watts kicked out at Matty Warner and saw straight red for his actions. We can only imagine what Matty was saying to draw that reaction. Welling went two men down after 71 minutes when Danny Slater drew his second booking after a trip on Phillip Gilder. Despite the advantage, Welling almost found an equalizer in the 81st minute when Kevin Hemsley completely misjudged a long ball and missed the header, but the Welling striker couldn't get his shot on target.

Welling, 0 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Danny Marney(26)

Notes: Massive three points. A very testy game with quite a few cards, glad to see the Eastbourne players keep their cool.

The Attendance at Park View Road was 324.

Best Performance: Gareth Graham did well to control the match from the midfield in a very physical match.
Worst Performance: Phillip Gilder had a very quiet game and never factored into the Eastbourne attacks.



Eastbourne Borough - Lewes
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
4/09/05

Last Meeting: 4-1 Lewes at The Dripping Pan

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Baker
Hemsley

Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Marney
Odubade

Subs

Murphy
Ramsay
Harrington
O. Rowland
Smart

Pre-Match Notes: Lewes currently sit 19th out of table, just outside of the relegation zone due to goal difference. Eastbourne sit 7 points, but a win here could pretty much finalize safety for the Sports.

Match

Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade made a great run from the halfway line, completely burning the defense of Lewes but shot was well off target in the 6th minute. A Gareth Graham long distance shot went just wide in the 18th minute. A mistake by Darren Baker led to the first goal for Lewes when he knocked the ball into the path of Marc Whiteman who slid the ball under Lee Hook in the 20th minute. Just before halftime, Yemi Odubade had more decent shot at goal but the ball sailed high and wide.

In the 54th minute Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade did well to race down a Gareth Graham longball, and he turned well in the box and knocked the ball inbetween the keeper's legs for the equalizing goal. With a few aggressive substituions including bringing on Chris Murphy for Stuart Myall, Eastbourne piled on the pressure on Lewes, but Lewes never broke and hte game ended in a draw.

Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Lewes, 1
Marc Whiteman(20)
Yemi Odubade(54)

Notes: Frustrated that we should have won this match, but we'll take the draw and the point as it puts us that much closer to officially becoming safe.

The Attendance to Priory Lane was 756.

Best Performance: Matty Warner was dangerous all match, threw in alot of good crosses.
Worst Performance: Lee Hook should have done better on the first goal and it cost Eastbourne 2 points.


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Squad Update

The paperwork for the transfer of Eastbourne striker Scott Ramsay to Coca Cola League 1 club S****horpe has been completled. The transfer will go through in the off-season and the transfer amount has been announced as £3000.

Scott Ramsay's career never really took off at Priory Lane. At this point of the season he had made 23 appearances(15 off the bench) but has yet to score a goal.


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Sutton United - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Gander Green Lane
4/16/05

Last Meeting: 2-1 Sutton at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Baker
Hemsley

Chapman
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder

Odubade

Subs

Marney
Murphy
Smart
O. Rowland
Harrington

Pre-Match Notes: One of the strongest line-ups that the Sports could put out as they hope to take a point from Sutton. Yemi Odubade starts up front alone and Danny Chapman is back from injury and finds himself in the holding role.

Match

Lee Hook denied an early goal to Sutton United when a dangerous cross was sent in and headed toward the goal, but Hook found himself at the right place at the right time and deflected the ball away. Sutton probably should have gone up a goal in the 27th minute when their attacking midfielder was left free in the box and with plenty of time to place a shot, he blazed it high and wide. Joff Vansittart put Sutton up in the 30th minute when he buried a low cross into the back of the net with a very strong volley. Yemi Odubade was sent free in the 38th minute by Gareth Graham but his shot was blocked by the keeper. The best move of the year for Eastbourne almost scored an equalizer as Gilder, Warner and Graham combined for series of 5 great passes that ended with Phillip Gilder's short range header being tipped over the bar.

10 minutes after the restart Yemi Odubade pounced on a loose ball in the Sutton United box but his ball hit the right post and deflected away. 30 seconds after coming into the match Danny Marney was barely denied the equalizing goal after turning his defnder and getting a clear shot at the net. Marney had another great chance in the 75th minute but after breaking free on a counter-attack his shot sailed high over the goal. Eastbourne continued to put intense pressure on Sutton but the equalizing goal never came.

Sutton United, 1 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Joff Vansittart(30)

Notes: They controlled the first half, we absolutely battered them in the second and were very unlucky not to gain at least a point from this match.

The Attendance at Gander Green Lane was 421.

Best Performance: In a match where several playes excelled, Matty Warner still stole the spotlight.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney, brought on and had at least 5-6 chances to find an equalizer.

---

Squad Update

- Despite Eastbourne's loss, Dorchester's heartbreaking last minute loss to Maidenhead after a 89th minute go-ahead go by Lewis Cook confirmed a place in the conference South for the Sports.

The unlikely has happened with Eastbourne surviving the season and now all pressure will be off the Sports as they can start looking forward to next season.


- Phillip Gilder picked up a thigh strain and with the recent turn of events, Michael Hall has elected for Phillip to see a specialist. Gilder will miss the last two matches of the season.


- After the news of security, Michael Hall set to the rebuilding up an Eastbourne squad and he started with the staff.

His first appointment came as Luther Blissett agreed to join the Sports as a coach. The 47 year old coach is an English citizen but was born in Jamacia. He played for Watford, A.C MIlan and even had 14 caps for England as a striker. His impressive goal scoring record at the top level. He had a span of years in the 90s as a coach at Watford under Graham Taylor.

The second appointment came with Bob Pearson named as Chief Scout, famously known for his finding of Teddy Sherringham as Chief Scout for Milwall.


---


Saint Albans City - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Clarence Park
4/23/05

Last Meeting: 4-1 Eastbourne at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet

Harrington
Holmes
O. Rowland
Wyborne
Hemsley

Smart(c)
Graham
Warner
Simmonds

Marney
Odubade

Subs

S. Rowland
Chapman
Myall
Barton
Murphy

Pre-Match Notes: Michael Hall finally can relax and chooses to play young central defender Rhys Wyborne which will be Wyborne's first start for the Sports. Danny Simmonds takes the place of the injured Phillip Gilder. Saint Albans have already been condemmed to relegation.

Match

Miguel De Souza had two great chances in the first twenty minutes but he couldn't kept the header down on both opportunities. Though, he didn't miss his third chance of the match in the 22nd when the ball bounced free into the box and he slid the ball under Michael Harrington. An Ollie Rowland mistake led to a two goal lead for Saint Albans when instead of clearing the ball Rowland tried to let the ball run out of play. Darren Sarll burst by Rowland and snuck the ball into the net from a few yards out. Yemi Odubade was sent off shortly after the second goal in the 33rd minute when he "landed a fine right hook on Saint Albans' central defender Chris Zoricich.

45 seconds after the restart Jonathan Rowan added to the Saint Albans lead with a header on the edge of a high arcing cross. Michael Harrington's night only got worse a minute later when he stumbled over a long distance shot and handed the ball into his own net. Oddly enough, this was the first own goal of the season for Eastbourne. The fifth goal for Saint Albans found the net in the 72nd minute when Michael Harrington's punch didn't clear 5 yards and the ball was easily knocked into an empty net. Marney stole a late consolation goal in the 90th minute when he pickpocketed Chris Zoricich and in a great individual effort finished with a goal as he placed a low shot by the Saint Alabans' keeper.

Saint Albans City, 5 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Miguel De Souza(23)
Darren Sarll(28)
Jonathan Rowan(46)
Michael Harrington - Own Goal(48)
Tom Davis(73)
Danny Marney(90)

Notes: This is what happens when you have a squad with not alot of talent and little to no depth and you play a second-team backline. It wasn't pretty.

The Attendance at Clarence Park was 325.

Best Performance: Danny Marney scored a late consolation, that's better than what anyone else did.
Worst Performance: Michael Harrington had a nightmare performance at the worst possible time. Doubts over his future at the Sports are in full swing now.


---

Squad Update

Michael Hall has decided not to appeal against the ban placed on Yemi Odubade, it's currently only at a one match but there is a great chance that his amazing right hook will give him a further couple match ban.

Michael Hall was reported, "We aren't ashamed of the hit, it was probably the best offensive moves of the match for us."

Seven days later, a further two match suspension was added to the ban.

That obviously means that Yemi will miss the last match of the season against Hornchurch but also miss the first two matches next season.

retired_crazyjmiles

Nick Greenwood gave a pat on Michael Hall's shoulder as the game came to a close. The 30 year-old American had wanted to win the final match of the season for the fans. The thousand or so fans that had come to watch the last fixture of Eastbourne's season were still in the stands despite the 2-0 scoreline and they had been that way all season. They had shown up after the huge losses in the same numbers that they would see after a big win, and Michael Hall had never seen passion like that before.

When teams lost in the United States, fans did not come back, the only way you had a strong supporting group is if you won, but here at almost the very bottom of the English footballing tables, Eastbourne had as strong of support as any. Sure, most were family and friends, but interwined in these people were the old local men who still brought their wide-eyed grandkids out to every match they could, the men who didn't care about the new 20 million pound player in the highest leagues, or the latest greatest new youth out of another country that didn't speak english, these supporters followed the Sports, the Sports represented them and played for them. And Michael Hall wanted to give them a tribute.

Eastbourne had gone down on an early goal. Miscommunication and poor reaction between the young Rhys Wyborne and first team regular Kevin Hemsley were at fault for the first goal and the second goal was just a blur, a fluke goal from 25 yards out, but for some odd reason, this had not bothered the Sports supporters.

There was a nice applause at the end of the match and suprisingly enough, several young children ran out to get autographs from their favorite local heroes. It didn't matter to these kids that the autographs that they were getting were from players that just lost 22 matches in a season, it didn't matter that most these players were their neighbors, this was a squad that was written off club at the bottom of the written off list.

The Sports were, in everyone's idea, a doomed squad. Their squad lacked depth and the talent of the same teams in the divison, they didn't have the economic backing of other clubs at the same level, but they gritted their teeth and fought hard. There were of course the bad times, the battering by Bognor Regis, the shelling by Lewes, and just about everytime Eastbourne lined up against Farnborough, but they made it through.

New blood in the form of Matty Warner and Gareth Graham quickly became the catalyst of a team that wouldn't go down with a fight. Mixed with the local heroes such as Danny Marney, the former outcast like Yemi Odubade and the fine example of their captain Lee Hook, Eastbourne had survived.

In a footballing world that is completely dominated by winning; local, small clubs like Eastbourne are only another name on a list of no-nothing teams, and the last loss of the season is only a scoreline that will never be heard of by anybody besides a few thousand Eastbourne residents. But to Michael Hall, to the people like Nick Greenwood who passionately loved the squad, to the players from Danny Chapman to Ollie Rowland, the final match of the season meant everything. It was the end to their own brave escape and it was an achievement that will be forgotten by most people tomorrow, but to them it was an accomplishment that would last forever simply as "The year the Sports defied the odds."


---

With a flick of the wrist, Michael Hall's new contract was made official. His signature on the bottom line confirmed him for the next year, and it was hard for Hall to detail his emotions.

About 9 months ago, Hall's life had taken a complete u-turn and as he attempted to escape the sequence of events that threw his life into chaos, he found order. At first, he didn't love the sport he now correctly named "football", he didn't understand why such a small club was so important to people like Nick Greenwood, but now he understood. With no one left to turn to from his former life, he turned to the Sports, he poured his energy and all his passion into something he didn't quite understand and now, after only 9 months, he held Eastbourne as dear to his heart as anything he once held.

With his new contract, came a new apartment, a small bachleor pad about five minutes walk from Priory Lane. His last box of stuff lay half unpacked with the postage stamp labeled from the United States still plastered on the side. It was a small apartment, but he was content. This was his new home, and for the first time in his time at Eastbourne, he felt that this wasn't temporary. His old life was now a distant memory and now his life belonged to the southern English city known as Eastbourne. And now it was time to look forward, not just for the club and the next season but for himself.

But there was one thing Michael Hall still held in the same regard, the food was absolutely awful.

retired_crazyjmiles

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> he Michael Hall Report Club: Eastbourne BoroughSeason: 2004/2005(1)Divison: Conference SouthThe ResultsTotal Competitive Matches: 47(W-D-L)Record(Competitive): 13-10-24(League): 12-8-22(Cup): 1-2-2Home: 7-9-8Away: 6-1-16After Win: 5-2-6After Draw: 3-1-6After Loss: 5-7-11After 2+ Goal Win: 5-0-2After 1 Goal Win: 0-2-4After 2+ Goal Loss: 4-5-5After 1 Goal Loss: 0-2-6Biggest Win: 5-1 vs Bromley (Home) - FA Trophy: Round OneBiggest Defeat: 5-0 vs Bognor Regis (Away) - Conference SouthBiggest League Win: 4-0 vs Basingstoke (Away)Biggest League Defeat: 5-0 vs Bognor Regis (Away)Most Games Won in a Row: 3Most Games Lost in a Row: 5Most Games Without Losing: 4Most Games Without Winning: 10Friendlies: 0-2-4TimeWeekend Matches: 11-6-15Weekday Matches: 2-4-9Before 6pm: 12-6-14After 6pm: 1-4-7WeatherDry: 12-10-21Wet: 0-0-350° F or Above: 2-0-6Below 50° F: 11-10-18</pre>

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">StatsGoals Scored: 53Goals Conceded: 75League Goals: 46League Conceded: 68Cup Goals: 7Cup Conceded: 7Goal Chart( ) - League GoalsDanny Marney - 22 (18)Yemi Odubade - 15 (13)Matty Warner - 7 (7)Richard Brady* - 4 (4)Chris Murphy - 3 (2)* - No longer with teamStartsKevin Hemsley - 42Richard Holmes - 42Stuart Tuck - 39Stuart Playford - 38Matty Warner - 38Sub AppearancesChris Murphy - 30Scott Ramsay - 16Yemi Odubade - 15Matt Smart - 13Danny Chapman - 9AssistsMatty Warner - 10Chris Murphy - 9Gareth Graham - 6Phillip Gilder - 5Danny Marney - 2Pass PercentageYemi Odubade - 86Chris Murphy - 85Matt Smart - 83Scott Ramsay - 83Danny Marney - 82Tackles Per GameRichard Holmes - 3.93Ollie Rowland - 3.42Kevin Hemsley - 2.99Stuart Tuck - 2.84Stuart Playford - 2.69Dribbles Per GameDanny Marney - 3.58Matty Warner - 3.40Chris Murphy - 2.87Yemi Odubade - 2.32Phillip Gilder - 1.95Shot on Target PercentageYemi Odubade - 63Danny Marney - 56Chris Murphy - 46Scott Ramsay - 46Gareth Graham - 33Yellow CardsStuart Tuck - 9Stuart Playford - 8Matt Smart - 7Danny Marney - 7Matty Warner - 6Kevin Hemsley - 6Danny Chapman - 5Stuart Myall - 5Red CardsMatty Warner - 2Yemi Odubade - 2Matt Smart - 1</pre>


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">AttendancePriory LaneHighest Attendance: 2172 vs Farnborough - Conference SouthLowest Attedance: 191 vs Bromley - FA Trophy: Round OneAwayHighest Attendance: 1623 at Meadow Park (Boreham Wood - FA Cup 2nd Qual. Round Replay)Lowest Attendance: 306 at York Road (Maidenhead - Conference South)</pre>

retired_crazyjmiles

Final League Table

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5082/table5ln3.th.jpg

Danny Marney - Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubadep

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1123/marneyodubadecompare2nz5.th.jpg

Gareth Graham - Matty Warner

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3918/warnergrahamcomparejx4.th.jpg


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Transfers In From FeePhillip Gilder Free Transfer FreeMatty Warner Free Transfer FreeRichard Holmes Harrowby £0Gareth Graham AFC Wimbledon £1KMichael Harrington Free Transfer Free Total £1K--- Out From FeeMatt Crabb Chester £2KRichard Brady Boston United £6K Total £8K---Loans In FromShaun Cooper PortsmouthChris Murphy Cheltenham</pre>

retired_crazyjmiles

Putting a cigarette in his mouth, Michael Hall used his other hand to shield against soft breeze that ran through Priory Lane as he lit it. It was only a week before the players would return to the very place Michael Hall stood and begin training for the next season. But the team would be completely different than the one the thirty year-old American had stumbled upon last time.

Progress can not be made without change, but it doesn't come without a price. Michael Hall now felt that price. Players that Michael Hall had struggled with and stood by him through the good and bad times last season were now told to look elsewhere for football. It wasn't easy to tell players like Matt Smart, a player that was so vital to the squad over the course of the last season, that the club had accepted a £2000 offer for him. Players like Danny Simmonds, a completely selfless roleplayer, that his services were no longer needed. Seb Barton, an amazingly young and focused kid, that he just wasn't useful to the club, and even Darren Baker, a defender that was completely passionate about the club, that he just didn't have a future with it.

But the worst one was still yet to come.

Michael Hall took a drag of his cigarette as he began to pace around the ground, digging his foot into a divet, one of the many that covered the pitch.

It was the hardest to tell a player that just recovered from a major injury, put himself through rehab and all other hells to just play for the squad that gave him a shot, the club he worked so hard for when he was healthy and even harder when he was injured no longer were in need of his services. On a quiet, rather calm day, Stuart Playford was sent to Woking.

But in the great circle, with all the depatures there were obviously the arrivals. With the help of amazing Ben Pearson who scouted all around the East Sussex region and used his many contacts around England to inform the almost clueless Michael Hall of players that could be useful to the squad.

While signing them with the small budget that Eastbourne were on was another challenge on itself, with the help of the shrewd business of their Chairmen Len Smith, the American did bring new faces.

The first signings happened just inside July when Michael Hall completed a deal for Ryan Peters, a 21 year-old English attacking midfielder from the neighboring city of Hastings and their club Hastings United. He had come with no fee, and his lightning speed could only be rivaled by Danny Marney.

On the very same day, Nick Greenwood had traveled to Bacup to complete the signing of a versatile defender in Englishman Lee Connell. The 24 year-old also came on a free, and Nick Greenwood, after a brief training session admited that he would probably turn out to be one of the most useful players in the Eastbourne squad, but he wasn't sure about his best posistion.

Another Ben Pearson suggestion that turned signee was Scottish defensive midfielder, David Barron. The 17-year old joined on a free transfer, and his size and strength were the main attributes Pearson had highlighted in his report.

Scott Oakes, the 32 year-old forward, who Michael Hall completed the official paperwork during the last season had finally moved to Eastbourne and was already settling in with the club, and clearly was an experienced player that the younger squad members would learn from.

The other signing from earlier that season would come at the beginning of August and that was the former dutch international defender John Veldman.

But with all signings, there will always be the questionable ones, that no one has an idea how it will turn out until it well, turns out, and that came with the signing of Adam Arthur.

Michael Hall took one last drag of his cigarette and flicked the butt away as he remembered the meeting.


---

Adam was obviously a lively 19 year-old, Michael Hall had noticed that right as he came bounding through the door of Len Smith's office. He was twenty-five minutes late and he brushed back his blonde spikey hair, to try and make himself look presentable.

With a cool smile, he gave a shake of the hand to Michael and Len before plopping down on the chair that sat right infront of the desk without it being offered.

As Len tried to talk contracts and Michael tried to inform him of his expectations, the young winger waundered off on topics such as the choice paint color of the room, and the local pub he passed by on the way to the meeting(and he just had to stop by, which was the obviously ok alibi for his tardiness).

Though, as much as his first impression was a turn-off, the glowing report by Ben Pearson on the player forced Hall to look by the personality. Ben Pearson had made it clear that Adam Arthur was a fine player.

Though, as much as a frustration as it was, the contract was finally signed and Adam Arthur lept to his feet after signing the deal and headed for the door with just a nod of his head and a "See ya at training, mates"

Michael Hall, the man that would try to manage this lively kid, wanted to learn more about this player as a person quickly spoke before the young English winger could leave.

"Would you care for a drink? I know a nice little restruant I could take you to, if you don't mind."

"Nah, mate, I'm aight, I bring my beverages with me," and with that Arthur pulled out a rather large bottle of Zodiac Vodka which he quickly took a generous swig of and with a quick flashing smile, he was out the door.


---

With all the new blood from various locations, Eastbourne were still a local club and Michael Hall was thrilled when a local lad from Eastbourne joined the ranks, the first youth player for Michael Hall. Andrew Fox, a young midfielder, had never played organized football before joining Eastbourne Borough. He was a frequent player of pick-ups game around the streets, but now he had joined his town's most popular club and officially become a member of the team he had watched since he was a little child.

He was smart, focused, and a player that had alot of the physical attributes needed for a professional footballer at the Eastbourne level, but his lack of organized sports as a child left his technical skills and abilities well below average. But with his new staff, Michael Hall felt he could use those raw physical gifts and turn him into a player that Eastbourne could treasure.


---

But the new players were not the only change occuring at Eastbourne, with the passion he saw in the supporters, Michael Hall wanted to bring more out, he wanted to build Eastbourne into a club that could climb the ranks of the footballing leagues, and he wanted to make Priory Lane a place that not only the inhabitants of Eastbourne knew about.

With the help, connections, and organizational skills of his chairmen Len Smith, and the guidance of his assistant manager Nick Greenwood, Michael Hall created the first ever Eastbourne Invite Friendly Cup.

The first ever Eastbourne Invite was dated to happen on the last Saturday and Sunday of July. In a fixture that had Nick's mouth watering, Eastbourne Borough would play cross-town rivals Eastbourne Town while two teams from local areas in Hastings United and Hailsham would come to Eastbourne for the weekend tournament. If the Cup was a success, Michael Hall hoped he could continue it in the future and make it an annual event.

It was a step in the right direction, Michael Hall figured, and a way to bring the less visable footballing fans out to see a local competition and rivalry.

---

As Michael Hall stood, scanning the ground that was Priory Lane. Just a year ago, he was a stranger to this place. Completely unaware of the club, the stadium, and even the sport, but now he was thick in the middle of it.

They had completed an amazing season of bitter relegation fight, and now they were there again. While his football knowledge was growing, he began to realize that Eastbourne's fight was only beginning, and with a worried feeling in his stomach, he felt his hand run over the security he held in that box full of cancer he had grown dependent upon in that last year.

As much as he tried to resist, he pulled yet another cigarette out of the small box that occupied his pocket. He placed it in his mouth and lit it. He wanted to believe that he could do the improbable again, but what if he failed? With all the optimistic views and expectations after last season's heroics, could he lead another season that the Eastbourne Borough faithful could be proud of?

Even with the buzz from the cigarette, he wasn't sure he could.

retired_crazyjmiles

Clutching his oversized cap to his small head, Benny Bailey ducked through the last turn in the back alley that led him home. The small pitter-patter of his feet against the slick pavement accompanied the hard breathing that followed him as he sprinted home.

The moon was out tonight, and the small boy's noise provoked the barking of dogs that could not been seen in the darkness of the night.

As he approached the edge of the straight away that led him to the small humble building that he called home, he picked up his pace. The dim light that lit the doorway was dim, a dull yellow shimmer from the old fixture. The two steps that led him up onto the old wooden porch were just a small obstacle as took them over in one leap. Creaks were the reaction to his feet landing on the top of the porch, groans of frustration from the old, deteroiating wood.

Slowing his pace to a crawl, Benny tip-toed the short couple feet to the door, grabbed the key from the chain around his neck, and inserted into the small lock. With a rusty squeak, the door slowly openned to unviel a dark home, with only a faint light in the far right corner.

"Oi, where hav' ya been?" A voice boomed, startling the young boy as he crept into the doorway.

"T-t-training went long, da', I wa-was just doin' some inteviews," Benny stammered as he pushed the door behind him as the figure emmerged from the darkness.

A big man, Benny Bailey's father was a man that had seen his fair share of trials and had lived through them. A factory worker, he did work that no one could love, because he had no choice.

"What hav' I told ya 'bout footie, son?" the voice was forceful, but the added smell of obvious alcohol unnerved Benny as he attempted to stand tall up against his old man.

"I like it, da', I like it alot. Michael says he likes havin' me 'round, da, he says I'm a good writer."

"A writer, eh? A writer, my son? A great journalist, that'll be the day. What's yer son do? Oi, a writer, well, isn't that great. Didn' wanna grow up like ya, I suppose?" Benny's father almost taunted the young boy.

"I dun wanna be a worker, da, I love writin' and I love footie, da. I didn' mean ta make ya mad."

"Make me mad, eh? No, no, wouldn't wanna do that, eh? You just dun think the ol' man has a shitty job, eh? Ya think I wanna work at the factory all my life? Ya think when I was yer age I dreamt of wantin' ta work there?" He took a big step forward that time, towards his son, overwhelming him with his stature.

"Na, da, I jus.."

The blow came. The hand smashed into Benny Bailey's left cheek and he went stumbling backwards into the door. The young boy crumpled under the blow as his father stepped even closer, and grabbed his son by the collar.

"Ya dun talk back to me, son, now go git inta bed and wipe them dreams away, life aint kind and ya better start believin' that. Now if I ever catch ya goin to that footie, i'll twat ya again."

And with that, he let go of Benny, stumbled as he straightened back up and walked back down the hallway that led to the bedroom.

Benny Bailey sat there, wiping the blood and tears that streaked his face as his back pressed up against the door. After a good deal of time, he finally climbed to his feet, wiping his face with his sleeve and gave a good long look around. Then he turned around, twisted the door knob and fled out into the night.


---

The tapping on the door broke Michael Hall's concentration as he flipped through the notebook. Laying down the notebook on the coffee table that sat before him, he raised to his feet and headed toward the door.

Who the heck is knocking at my door at this hour, Michael thought as he undid the chain lock, and the door lock before he pulled it open. It stunned him when he saw the little figure of Benny Bailey before him.

The first thing Hall had noticed were the tears, Benny's cheeks were bright red from crying. Then he noticed the blood, small streaks of it covered his face where they had mixed with the tears. A huge bruise covered the left side of his face.

"What happened?" Michael exclaimed, "Come on, come inside." He spoke pulling the young boy into his apartment.

---

With a frozen cut of beef on his cheek, Benny Bailey told Michael Hall everything. Michael was more stunned than anything, as the young child gave him every detail. As Benny's story came to a close, Michael handed the young child a glass of cold milk.

How a man could hit any child, especially his own son was beyond Michael's comprehension. Especially a boy like Benny, he was an energetic youth, full of optimism, he was also sincere and a boy that stayed well out of trouble. Sure, he got into a little mischief every once and awhile, but what young boy didn't?

"Listen Benny, while I don't want to, I need to take you home, I can't keep you here. I'm not your family."

Hopping off the counter, Benny pleaded with Michael, 'But, sir, I dun wanna go back. I'll never be able to see ya anymore or he'll hit me, I dun wanna go back sir, I dun wanna."

With a sigh, Michael rubbed his eyes, and finally spoke in a conceding voice.

"Alright, Benny, you can stay here the night, but it can't be any longer than that. You have to go back home tomorrow."


---

Benny lay sound asleep, covered completely in the sheets of Michael Hall's bed. Closing the door to the bedroom, Michael sat himself back down in his spot on the couch where he got back into his work. As he tried to pour over the last tactics, the latest notes he had retrieved from the first week back in training, he couldn't focus. The passing abilities of the players, their strong points, and areas of their game that the next training had to focus on were unimportant to him now, and he frustratingly closed the notebook. Walking back towards the bedroom, he slightly openned the door, watching the young Benny sleep, completely at peace with the world, despite the horrible event that just happened to him.

He couldn't help but sympathize for the young boy, everyone would, but he felt this was different. Benny had been to every training session he could, skipping the normal childhood activities that surely all his peers were doing to come watch and report about this squad that had captured his young heart.

He felt a closeness to Benny, he felt they both had the same feelings with the club. They were both out of place in their lives, they both sought acceptance and security in the form of the Eastbourne Borough squad in a world that was neither accepting nor secure. As he closed the door for the final time that late night, Michael Hall lay himself down on the small couch, trying to shut his eyes and forget about the thoughts that now plagued his mind. He didn't have the right to allow Benny to stay at his home, Benny was not his child, and this was not his duty to try and be a guardian figure and protect him, even for a night. But then again, he couldn't see that child get hurt again, no one deserved that, especially not that upbeat child that reminded Michael so much of himself as a youth.

With the feelings of sleep not coming any closer, Michael Hall sat up from the couch, grabbed the half-empty pack of cigarettes that lay on the coffee table, and stepped his way out of the apartment into the cold air of the night.

A few stars shined through the clouds and the quarter moon faded into another dark area of the night under the shadow of a large cloud. Placing a cigarette in his mouth, he placed the lighter to the tip, and took the first long drag.

The night was still, and the only noise that could be heard in the darkness was the bark of a far away dog.

retired_crazyjmiles

Several hundred supporters that had come out to see the derby match against Eastbourne Borough and Eastbourne Town had all left hours ago. Priory Lane lay empty, except for one man.

Michael Hall sat on the coaches' bench, staring blankly out across the pitch. His tie pulled down, his white dress shirt was untucked and the bottom three buttons were undone. His glasses rested on the bench beside him. The manager slumped on the wooden bench as his mind turned over the details of the match.

An early goal in the first fifteen minutes had condemed them. A rather flukey goal on a free-kick, that an Eastbourne Town striker had attempted to flick on toward the back post, but the ball ended up floating over Lee Hook and sneaking into the net, to the shock of everyone. Borough were forced to push forward after that, really attack the game, but their cross-town rivals had proved to be hard to break down. A few close chances kept the crowd's faith but in the end, a long ball from Gareth Graham was too far out of reach for Danny Marney and the ball drifted out of play and soon after the final whistle had blown.

He wasn't sure where he had gone wrong, but he knew he had to have made some mistake, however minor. He knew he needed to take the blame. The Blues of Eastbourne Town had jumped at the opportunity to take a shot at their rivals and Michael Hall had relished the opportunity to see a real rivalry in action. The squads hadn't met in years, but the rivalry had still remained and now Town had the bragging rights.

It was a giant wake up call for Michael Hall, after a very respectable pre-season, the confidence was growing at Priory Lane, but a loss to a rival did well to kill off that momentum. Now, the young manager had to recover, he had to bring his squad back up and get them ready to compete not just in the Third place match that would occur the next day, but for the Conference South. He had pulled a great feat last season, but the league had only gotten better, and question marks still filled the Sports' squad.

Michael Hall, lost in his thoughts, was startled when a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Keep yer head up, mate," Nick Greenwood comforted Michael as he sat next to him, putting his arm around the American. "You pulled us outta alot of bad patches last season, and this didn't mean much, just another friendly."

Michael knew this wasn't true, he had seen how frustrated Nick had been, how the players and the Borough supporters had been after the loss. This was a big deal to them.

Nick continued reassuring, "We'll pick up the pieces, mate, we always do. Let's go hammer these Hailsham blokes tomorrow and everything will be back to normal, you'll see."

"The supporters had their faith in me, they expected more of us, I let them down. We should have attacked them from the beggining, we shouldn't have sat back."

There was a long pause as Michael held his head in his hands.

"The worst thing ya can do is second guess yer heart, mate. It knows what's good for ya, and ya have to trust it."

"Even if the risk is great?"

The assistant manager just smiled as Michael Hall looked up at him, almost like a child. While Nick was obviously aging, his bright, optimistic blue eyes never faded. His hair was slowly receding, well on it's way to gray, but those eyes, and the soft smile were two things Nick Greenwood had and would always possess.

"Especially if the risk is great, that's how football works."

"We aren't talking about football, are we, Nick?"

Putting his arm around Hall, Nick simply said.

"Of course not, mate, of course not."


---


Eastbourne followed the loss against Eastbourne Town with a 4-0 trouncing of Hailshim, a small club that sat in the small northern town the club was named after, but their win was overshadowed by the success of their rivals Eastbourne Town who edged the Final over Hastings United 1-0, a team that former Eastbourne player Darren Baker captained.

The first Eastbourne Invite had ended and, in the worst scenario, Eastbourne Town had come out winners.

But, Michael Hall couldn't brew too much on the third place finish, because there was something more at stake coming soon. Michael Hall had to turn his attention to the Conference South and his attempt to complete yet another great escape from relegation.



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The Eastbourne Invite Cup

Semi-Final

Hastings United over Hailsham, 1-1(3-1 on Penalties)
Eastbourne Town over Eastbourne Borough, 1-0.

Third Place Match

Eastbourne Borough over Hailsham, 4-0.

The Final

Eastbourne Town over Hastings United, 1-0.