BNU Thirds 2 – 3 Eastbourne

Eastbourne at home saw us playing at the loveable Happy Valley for the first time this season, the rock hard playing surface together with the familiar gusting northerly meant conditions played a part in the entertaining, although ultimately disappointing 3-2 loss.

The decision to battle the wind and sun in the first half looked to have paid off as we finished the half at 1-1.

Brent sprung the offside trap against the run of play to give us a disputed 1-0 lead, that said every decision by the ref (a bit of a John Denver look-alike) was being disputed by an argumentative Eastbourne side.

Eventually the pressure told late in the first half when a series of Eastbourne shots rebounded favourably for the away side, the last of which the keeper could only palm into the net for our first, and probably not last, OG of the season!

At this point we had already re-shuffled following an early injury to Johnny H, and unfortunately injuries became the theme of the day with Al and Adam both sustaining injuries that hampered our progress later on in the game.

The second half started perfectly with Keagan & Brent again combining well up front and Brent got his second of the game within minutes of the re-start (“Take that!!”) and a comfortable second half beckoned.

However it was not to be, the wind seemed to drop and Eastbourne upped the tempo and they eventually levelled the game with an impressive shot on the turn from outside the area. The momentum had shifted and although we produced a few shots in the second half, Robbie being denied on a couple of occasions by their keeper who was in great form, we ended up conceding the eventual winner with about 20 mins to go.

The keeper denied us what would have been a deserved point late on by tipping an excellent corner by Phil onto to the bar, but it was not to be and the game ended with a disappointing 3-2 loss. Special mention goes to Zouchie who, after making the trip from Masterton, found himself in goal, left back and central midfield – a sterling effort.

Nigel Moore