retired_crazyjmiles

November 2006


After the end of the Matty Warner transfer saga, Eastbourne were keen to return their focus to the Conference South and an away match at Redbridge.

Redbridge - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Oakside
11/15/06

Overall Record: 3-1-0
Last Meeting: 1-1 at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet: Hook(c), Holmes, Tuck, Mancienne, Ngubane, Corbett, Graham, Warner, Gilder, Oakes, Rook

Subs: Harrington, Chapman, Arthur, Smith, Doyle

A nice sliding tackle by Michael Mancienne broke up an early Redbridge attack in the 5th minute. The ball bounced out to defensive midfielder Scott Corbett who looked up and spotted a Carl Rook run. With a great 45 yard pass, Corbett picked out Rook and the 18 year-old snuck the ball by the Redbridge keeper. As Redbridge pushed forward, Carl Rook again found himself on another counter-attacking run but his attempt to dribble by the last defender was easily snuffed out. Just before halftime, Redbridge had their best chance of the half on a corner. Midfielder Paul Emslie's header just grazed the top of the bar.

Phillip Gilder turned his defender in the 50th minute and found some room on the edge of the box. Electing to shoot rather than cross, his shot tailed just wide of the post, as he shot across the goal. Kevin Doyle made his impact felt quickly after just being subbed on. Only a minute after coming on for Scott Oakes in the 60th minute, he broke free on the right side, but his shot was just parried over the bar. Only two minutes after that missed chance, Kevin Doyle again found himself with an opportunity but after taking a deflection off the goalkeeper, Redbridge defender Keith Rowland did well to scramble and clear the ball off the line. In the 74th minute, Lee Connell pushed a Redbridge defender in the box and the referee awarded the penalty and Redbridge had a chance to grab an undeserved goal. The penalty was poor and right at Lee Hook and Eastbourne mantained their slight advtange. In the dying minutes of the match Phillip Gilder recieved his second booking of the game and was sent off, but Redbridge did not have the time to make the Sports pay.

Redbridge, 0 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Carl Rook, 5

MoM: Lee Hook

Attendance: 316



Phillip Gilder's red card forced him out of the next match of the season, and Nambian defender Mlungisi Ngubane would also miss the next match. The new Eastbourne Borough central defender picked up his fifth yellow card of the season.


Margate - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Hartsdown Park
11/18/06

Overall Record: 2-1-1
Last Meeting: 2-1 Margate at Hartsdown Park

Line-Up Sheet: Hook(c), Holmes, Connell, Hemsley, Mancienne, Corbett, Smith, Warner, Doyle, Oakes, Rook

Subs: Harrington, Chapman, Arthur, Barron, Worboys

Kevin Doyle entered the starting eleven for the suspended Phillip Gilder and Kevin Hemsley came in for the also suspended Mlungisi Ngubane.

Margate almost grabbed a goal in the 2nd minute when Taiwo Atieno was sent through on a nice passing move through the middle, but his shot went inches wide of Lee Hook's post. A free-kick for Margate just outside the box hit the inside of the post, where Lee Hook attempted to control but the ball squirted out of his arms onto the charging Stewart Bertram who buried the ball after the keeper's mistake. Only a few minutes later, in the 8th minute, Kevin Doyle was forced to leave the pitch when he picked up leg injury. A short free-kick by Matty Warner in the 24th minute picked out Jimmy Smith on the edge of the box. In space, the young on loan midfielder placed his shot perfectly in the bottom left corner of the net. Another free-kick led to another goal for Margate in the 44th minute, this time, Lee Hook had no chance when Jimmy Jackson curled the ball over the wall and into the net.

Jimmy Smith went close to equalizing and netting his second goal of the match but his shot from distance in the 80th minute was deflected over the bar. The Sports piled on the pressure in the final minutes but were unable to break through the Margate defense.

Margate, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Stewart Bertram(4)
Jimmy Smith(24)
Jimmy Jackson(43)

Attendance: 327

MoM: Kevin Hemsley



Eastbourne Borough - Welling
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
11/22/06

Overall Record: 1-1-2
Last Meeting: 1-0 Welling at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet: Hook(c), Connell, Mancienne, Ngubane, Holmes, Corbett, Smith, Warner, Gilder, Oakes, Rook

Subs: Harrington, Chapman, Vincent, Arthur, Worboys

With Jimmy Smith preforming well, fan favorite Gareth Graham finds himself again out of the line-up as the young Chelsea midfielder continues to impress Michael Hall with his displays.

Welling saw the better part of the first fifteen minutes, but good marking by the Eastbourne back line held them to only long range shots. In the 17th minute, Matty Warner broke free down the left but his shot tailed wide. Despite the miss, the chance gave the Eastbourne squad some confidence and they began to push forward with numbers, hoping to find a goal. A clearance by Ngubane fell to Scott Oakes, who with a great long ball, picked out the young Carl Rook on a counter attack. Rook beat the near by defender with his great pace then slotted the ball out of the reach of the Welling keeper and just inside the right post. With only 5 minutes left in the half, Eastboune went into the break with the goal advantage and control of the match.

After a quiet beginning to the second half, Eastbourne continued to create opportunities. Gavin Worboys came off the subs' bench and had two great chances but both were deflected away by the goalkeeper. Welling made the Sports pay for their poor finishing when they found an equalizer in the 86th minute after a counter-attack was finished off by Welling striker Paul Booth. Though, when the game hit the first minute of stoppage time, Eastbourne won a corner kick and Mlungisi Ngubane found space in the box and met the ball with his head, slamming it into the back of the net to give Eastbourne the three points.

Eastbourne Borough, 2 - Welling, 1
Carl Rook(40)
Paul Booth(86)
Mlungisi Ngubane(90)


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Michael Hall led a out a strong line-up for their 2nd round match in the FA Trophy Cup, but after an early goal by Vauxhall Motors' Daren Dykes, Eastbourne were unable to break through the very defensive tactics of the home side. With frustration high after their 1-0 loss at Vauxhall, Eastbourne had to turn their focus only a few days later to Cambridge City, who currently sat first on the table. Michael Hall knew they were in striking distance, currently sitting 3rd in the table, but did his squad have the composure and confidence to gain points in a top of the table clash was a question he could not answer.

retired_crazyjmiles

Richard Holmes spun, quickly trying to catch up with the pace of Carlin Itonga. The Cambridge City striker knocked the ball forward with the outside of his right foot as he charged down the field. Holmes turned his back to the striker, attempting to knock the ball out of his path, but the full-back stumbled, falling to the floor as the Itonga skipped by. Michael Hall just lowered his head as the Cambridge City players celebrated on the far end of the field after Itonga easily finished. He just stared at his shoes, keeping his head down as Holmes picked himself up off the ground. It had been a costly mistake by a player that had been the most consistant player for Hall over his first two years, but his mistakes were comely too frequently now, but Hall held in his frustration.

The American manager had been slightly annoyed at the failure to win against Vauxhall Motors in the FA Trophy Cup, but in a season that Eastbourne had been flying through, a team that they needed to beat to cement their place as title contenders were tearing them apart at Priory Lane. Carl Rook's injury had forced Hall to play Gavin Worboys up front with Scott Oakes, and the loss Doyle and Rook to injury in training and new striker's Worboy's Scott Ramsay like attributes of missing chances were pushing Hall to his limits. He had tasted victory this season, had a sniff promotion, but as the injuries built up, the smell was getting vaguer and vaguer.

The half came to a close, and Michael Hall fixed his eyes out on the pitch as his players walked by him toward the bench. He had to say something, he had to give them faith and encouragement, but all he felt was frustration.


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The pace was electrifying in the second half. Balls were being sent down the wings, players were getting open in the gaps defenses left in their line, and goalkeepers responded with amazing saves. Eastbourne and Cambridge's top of the table clash had finally come to life. Matty Warner sent several balls into the box, but great defending and poor finishing just led to yet another counter-attack by Cambridge City. The match was going back and forth, several chances came at each end until Mlungisi Ngubane found the equalizer. The Nambian international had proved to be a very up and down performer, having some great matches followed by some absolutely shocking performances, but he was a terror on set pieces and Hall utilized him as much as he could. Matty Warner had sent the corner in and Ngubane rose up above the defenders and smashed the ball into the net. Ngubane pumped his fist in celebration and Michael Hall simply thought with a rush of excitment, Game on.

At the restart the pace slowed down, Cambridge were fearful of letting the game fall into chaos again, and they elected to try and control the tempo. Eastbourne tried to fight forward, to create holes in the final third, but Cambridge were not a side to take lightly. But Michael was confident, Eastbourne had smelled blood and they just needed a single opportunity to go for the kill.

Penalty screams filled Priory Lane as Jimmy Smith went down in a tumble in the Cambridge City box. The referee pointed to the spot and the packed Priory Lane errupted. There was no doubt who would take the penalty, and Matty Warner grabbed the ball, placed it on the spot, and took his steps backward. A hush fell over the grounds as Warner stared at the keeper, began his run up and connected with the ball. Did he hit it well? Was he too confident? Did the keeper guess right? Was it placed well? Thousands of questions filled the manager's head as Matty Warner took the penalty. Could the keeper save it?

No chance.

The ball screamed into the back of the net, perfectly placed in the top right corner. A greatly struck penalty by Matty Warner, and he was off to the races. Lee Connell was the first to catch the sprinting winger as he made his way toward the Eastbourne faithful that filled the stands. With rush of excitment, Warner jumped into the air with a pump of his fist, but was quickly dragged down by Connell and the rest of Eastbourne players. Michael Hall clenched his fist, but held back his excited as the bench leapt from their seats. Nick Greenwood shouted his joy as he ran up the touchline. With only five minutes to go, Hall quickly tried to restore order and focus to the team and the squad did well to kill off the game and gain the massive three points.

As the final whistle blew, Priory Lane boomed with excitement but all Michael Hall could hear was the voice of Nick Greenwood shouting, "We're top of the table, lads, we are top of the table!"

retired_crazyjmiles

December 2006

Farnborough - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Cherrywood Road
12/9/06

Overall Record: 1-1-4
Last Meeting: 2-1 Farnborough at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet: Hook(c), Connell, Mancienne, Ngubane, Holmes, Corbett, Smith, Warner, Gilder, Oakes, Rook

Subs: Harrington, Chapman, Graham, Doyle, Worboys

Michael Hall was relieved to name a first choice squad against a team that has dominated Eastbourne Borough in the past. Coming off a long break after the Cambridge City win, the American hoped the momentum would continue to be there.

But Farnborough's mastery over Michael Hall continued when Bertie Brayley found himself on the end of a smooth passing move in the 7th minute. Completely alone in the box, the Farnborough striker knocked the ball into the net and Lee Hook could only watch in vain as the ball flew by him. The match was sealed only ten minutes later when Jermaine Hamilton went unmarked at the backpost on a deep cross and headed the ball just over Lee Hook for the 2-0 lead.

Eastbourne never looked like getting into the match and as they pressed forward to try and get a lifeline goal, they were only continuely hit on the counter attack.

Farnborough, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Bertie Brayley(7)
Jermaine Hamilton(17)

Eastbourne MoM: Michael Mancienne

The Attendance at Cherrywood was 670.


Eastbourne Borough - Weymouth
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
12/16/06

Overall Record: 0-1-1
Last Meeting: 0-0 at Priory Lane

Line-Up Sheet: Hook(c), Connell, Mancienne, Ngubane, Holmes, Corbett, Smith, Warner, Gilder, Doyle, Oakes

Subs: Harrington, Chapman, Graham, Arthur, Odubade

The Sports faced a tough challenge against the former Conference South champions as Weymouth return back to Priory Lane and the Conference South after being relegated from the Conference National last season.

Kevin Doyle and Michael Hall made sure their return would not be a happy homecoming. The striker started off the scoring when he headed in a Matty Warner cross in the 21st minute. In a deja-vu moment, Doyle struck again in the second half with another headed in Warner cross to send the former champions reeling. Mlungisi finished up the scoring in the 68th minute with a header from short range to end Weymouth's return to Priory Lane in the most dismal way for the visitors.

Eastbourne Borough, 3 - Weymouth, 0
Kevin Doyle(21, 57)
Mlungisi Ngubade(68)

Eastbourne MoM: Kevin Doyle

The Attendance at Priory Lane was a very nice 2383.



Kettering - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Rockingham Road
12/19/06

Overall Record: First Meeting

Line-Up Sheet: Hook(c), Connell, Mancienne, Ngubane, Holmes, Corbett, Smith, Warner, Gilder, Doyle, Oakes

Subs: Harrington, Chapman, Graham, Arthur, Odubade

Warner had a great chance to open up the scoring early, but his free-kick sailed just wide in the 6th minute. In their new white kits, Eastbourne continued to press forward, and looked to score but Gilder's shot was barely saved by the Kettering keeper. A poor giveaway by Oakes in the second half led to the openning goal. Oakes put out a poor pass that led to a counter-attack by Ketting. The ensuing shot took a bad deflection off Scott Corbett and found the back of the net. After the goal, Kettering took full control of the match and a Lee Connell clearance off the line kept in closing going into the final ten minutes. Eastbourne Borough began to attack and create chances in the final minutes of the match and several close range saves by the Kettering keeper kept the home side's advantage. As the minutes wore down the last chance of the match fell to 'A.A' Adam Arthur but his shot went sailing high and wide into the stands.

Kettering, 1 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Scott Corbett(OG - 60)

Eastbourne MoM: Matty Warner

The Attendance at Rockingham Road was 734.


Eastbourne Borough - Carshalton
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
12/23/06

Overall Record: 0-2-2
Last Meeting: 1-0 Carshalton at War Memorial Sports Ground

Line-Up Sheet: Hook(c), Tuck, Mancienne, Ngubane, Holmes, Corbett, Smith, Warner, Gilder, Doyle, Oakes

Subs: Harrington, Chapman, Graham, Arthur, Odubade

Kevin Doyle gave Eastbourne Borough the perfect start in the 10th minute with a well taken goal, and but the dream of Michael Hall's first win against Carshalton was shattered when Nic McDonnell equalized in the 30th minute. It was a very even match, but not a great supporter pleasing fixture as the teams drew for the third time out of their five matches.

Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Carshalton, 1
Kevin Doyle(10)
Nic McDonnell(30)

Eastbourne MoM: Jimmy Smith

The Attendance at Priory Lane 1854.



Sutton United - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Gander Green Lane
12/26/06

Overall Record: 1-0-3
Last Meeting: 2-1 Sutton at Gander Green Lane

Line-Up Sheet: Hook(c), Connell, Mancienne, Ngubane, Holmes, Corbett, Smith, Warner, Gilder, Doyle, Oakes

Subs: Harrington, Tuck, Graham, Arthur, Odubade

Matty Warner went down in the 3rd minute and was forced to leave the pitch due a calf injury. Though a Scott Oakes goal in the 33rd minute allowed Eastbourne to give a sigh of relief. The second half saw the return of the team Michael Hall had trouble with in the past when a Matthew Clements goal in the 49th and a Paul Honey goal in the 62th put Eastbourne down a goal. With all his subs used before the goals, Michael Hall was forced to rely on the players he already had on the pitch to rebound and Scott Oakes responded with a goal in the dying minutes to steal a point for the Sports.

Sutton United, 1 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Scott Oakes(33, 89)
Matthew Clements(49)
Paul Honey(62)

Eastbourne MoM: Jimmy Smith

The Attendance at Gander Green Lane was 420.


Eastbourne Borough - Bath
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
12/30/06

Overall Record: 0-1-1
Last Meeting: 3-1 Bath at Twerton Park

Line-Up Sheet: Hook(c), Connell, Hemsley, Mancienne, Holmes, Corbett, Smith, Vincent, Doyle, Oakes, Worboys

Subs: Harrington, Tuck, Barron, Arthur, Odubade

With a side that now that has started to fill the effects of injuries with Gilder, Warner, Rook and Ngubane all out, Michael Hall couldn't wait for December and the mixed results to end.

The injuries only got worse as the Sports faced Bath in the last match of 2006 when Kevin Doyle was forced to leave the pitch. The match was a boring affair, neither team looked eager to attack and prefered the other team to open themselves up so they could expose them on a counter-attack. Only a few chances were exchanged between the sides and the fixture looked headed for a draw until Scott Oakes broke the deadlock in the dying minutes. Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade sent a ball across the goalmouth in the 86th minute and Scott Oakes was unmarked on the back post where he easily slid it in to grab the three points.

Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Bath, 0
Scott Oakes(87)

Eastbourne MoM: Scott Corbett

The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1694.


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Squad Update at the end of December:

Phillip Gilder is still expected to miss another two weeks due to a damaged foot, while his cousin Matty Warner is only expected to miss another four days with his calf injury.

Carl Rook looks to make his long awaited return soon as he looks prepared to come back from his rib injury.

Kevin Doyle looks to miss a week with his twisted knee.

Kevin McMahon was sent on loan to Conference National side Crawley. Crawley will be paying all the Eastbourne's youth defender's wages.

retired_crazyjmiles

Table at midway point

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5...ble8vk4.th.jpg

Very open table, and we somehow hold the top at the half way point. But keep in mind that the last two winners of this league had 88 and 89 points. We need to improve or hope the league continues to stay tight.


[u]Matty Warner Form[/b]

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/2...formjz9.th.jpg

Form of our highly publicized left winger.


Mlungisi Ngubane - Michael Mancienne

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9...paretg8.th.jpg

Comparison of our two main defenders.


Scott Oakes - Carl Rook

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/2...pareqa7.th.jpg

Comparison of our two top scorers.