Written by Ellis Stevens
Eastbourne Town will be hopeful for a win today as they look to push up the table and continue a good start to the season which has them just four points from first place.
However, they come up against an Alfold FC in good form as they ran out 5-1 winners in their last game. They will count themselves lucky that Eastbourne’s top scorer with six in seven games, Bright Temba, misses out.
A win for Eastbourne Town would take them up to third in the table, while a win for Alfold FC would take them within two points of today’s opposition.
Ellis Stevens will be taking you through the action as it happens.
STARTING LINEUPS
Here’s how the teams lineup.
Out come the teams, with Eastbourne Town’s players stepping foot on the pitch first followed closely by Alfold FC.
The crowd are already in full voice as they back their team here at The Saffrons.
Kick Off – Alfold’s number nine, Mutongerwa, kicks us off here on what is a rather gloomy afternoon on the south coast.
7′ – CHANCE
Eastbourne’s number 10, Nathan Crabb, drives a shot across the keeper who saves well but the rebound drops to Zac Attwood. Attwood takes it first time and hits it straight down the middle of the empty net, but Luis Correia is able to spring across the floor and save again with his legs.
9′ – CHANCE
Eastbourne Town once again on the attack, with the right-back, Matty Astle, galloping down the line who fizzes in a fantastic ball to the near post where Crabb is able to meet it. His effort is dragged wide, two good chances missed here for Eastbourne.
15′ – CHANCE
Alfold’s turn to attack now as Sam Leaton shows some nice footwork on the edge of the box to create a yard of space where he strikes the ball well. It beats Chris Winterton and it looks destined to nestle in the bottom corner, but Dan Hull clears brilliantly off the line to keep the score level.
29′ – SUBSTITUTION FOR ALFOLD
Jordon Mase goes down with an injury and he won’t be able to continue. Number 17 Tiago Andrade replaces him for Alfold.
Both teams have started playing slightly more cautious after that frantic opening 15, still a long way to go here though.
34′ – CHANCE
Mutongerwa lays the ball off beautifully to Sam Leaton, who’s first touch takes him past the Eastbourne Town defender. However, Winterton is to the rescue this time for Eastbourne as he gets a strong hand to send it wide of the post.
35′ – CHANCE
Crabb is excellently sent through on goal by Tom Vickers. But it seems like he had too much time to think about what he wanted to do as he stalls his shot long enough to allow the Alfold defenders to catch up. Correia also comes charging out of his goal to meet Crabb on the edge of the area, who’s eventual shot is easily saved and cleared.
The game looks to be heating up again now.
38′ – CHANCE
Just minutes after being sent through for his first one-on-one, Crabb is sent through again in pretty much the same circumstances. But this time he scuffs the shot and Correia saves easily again.
Eastbourne’s captain understandably not happy with his striker here.
40′ – CHANCE
Alfold’s Leaton looks to cause problems again for Eastbourne, as he bursts down the line and whips a great ball into the box. But its Dan Hull who’s on the end of it as he slides to clear, the ball spins up off his boot and over the keeper but luckily for him it goes over the bar.
HALF-TIME: EASTBOURNE TOWN 0-0 ALFOLD FC
It’s come round quickly here, with there being phases of end to end play followed by a period of both teams just trying to settle back down and hold the ball.
SUBSTITUTION FOR ALFOLD
Number 12 Kieron Joseph will be hoping to make an impact for his side as he comes on for Clyde Jacques, who’s likely gone off with an injury after he needed treatment during the first-half.
45′ – Eastbourne restart us in a half that will hopefully include some goals.
53′ – YELLOW CARD
Alfold’s Mutongerwa booked early into the second 45 after an accumulation of fouls.
71′ – SUBSTITUTION FOR EASTBOURNE TOWN
80′ – CHANCE
George Taggart showing some composure in the box to take it past the Alfold centre-back before blasting a shot towards the keepers bottom left. Correia is again equal to it though as he athletically dives and knocks it around the post.
Eastbourne Town have taken control of the game now as they really start pushing for another victory to push them up the table.
89′ – GOAL EASTBOURNE TOWN 1-0 ALFOLD FC
The subs making a real difference here for Eastbourne as a great ball over the top allows Barbosa to run onto it who then lays it into the path of McDonald. McDonald then excellently turns his man and quickly lays it off to Attwood.
And Eastbourne’s number nine does not disappoint, as he shifts the ball from right to left and leaves the defender for dead before bending his effort past the keeper and into the back of the net.
FULL TIME: EASTBOURNE TOWN 1-0 ALFOLD FC
Eastbourne Town will be over the moon with that result as Alfold really tested them today and they were able to come out on top, with them also taking a clean sheet away with them.
Alfold, however, are evidently not too happy with the way the game went as they show their frustration after the final whistle both on the pitch and on their social media.
This result means Eastbourne Town do climb up the table into third, while results elsewhere leave Alfold FC dropping to 13th.
Both teams will now be looking forward to their next games as they start progressing towards the half-way point of their respective seasons.
