SCFL match between Eastbourne Town and Alford as Eastbourne look to build on their positive start to the season as a win would take them up to third in the table. Alfold, whom are currently thirteenth, will be looking to cement their mid table status with a win taking them as high as ninth. Ross Bray reports.
Line-ups:
KICK OFF!
Alfold get the game underway
1′ – Alfold start the game positively with full backs Conor Wilford and Jamie Chilsworth putting crosses in, however they are easily cleared by the Eastbourne Town defence.
3′ – Shaky start by Alfold ‘keeper Luis Correia as a hopeful ball over the top is intercepted by Correia but passes ball straight out of play on the right hand side.
8′ CHANCE – Nathan Crabb cuts inside from the right hand side for Eastbourne into eighteen yard box and has his left footed shot is saved by Correia. His save rebounds straight to Zac Attwood who shoots straight at Correia. Fantastic double save.
9′ CHANCE – Another opportunity squandered for Town as Matt Astle breaks down the right hand side and sends a low ball for Crabb who’s first time shot flies wide.
13′ – Astle breaks down right again but cross is wayward. Eastbourne certainly looking more dangerous so far, with two chances they may rue at the end of the match.
14′ – Ash Mutongerwa breaks through but Dan Hull brilliantly charges him down and swipes the ball for a throw down Alfold’s right hand side.
18′ – Foul throw by Chilsworth, the beauty of non league football I guess.
21′ – CHANCE – Alfold are beginning to grow into the game as Chilsworth whips a beautiful cross but Renato Carvalho was unable to get contact on it.
22′ INJURY – Clyde Jacques goes down and requires treatment – Alfold temporarily playing with 10 men.
27′ – Sam Leaton makes a terrific burst through the heart of midfield and towards town’s defence but Hull stops him is his tracks terrifically. Jacques now back on for Alfold.
29′ FOUL – free kick to Alfold on the edge of the box as Mutongerwa receives the ball on the edge of the box but is tripped by Hull in a dangerous area.
The resulting free kick is fired over by Wilford.
31′ SUBSTITUTION – Alford forced into a change as Jordan Mase is off for Tiago Andrade due to injury.
34′ CHANCE – Brilliant play down Alfold’s left hand side as Leaton and Mutongerwa combine with a one-two but Leaton’s resulting shot is saved comfortably by Chris Winterton.
36′ CHANCE – Huge opportunity for Town to take the lead where Attwood is sent in behind Alfold’s back line and only had the ‘keeper to beat but his shot is straight at Correia. Huge chance missed for Eastbourne!
39′ CHANCE – Another huge chance wasted by Town who will be wondering how they are not ahead! Crabb is sent through by Tom Vickers evading the Alfold back line but again the one on one chance is straight at Correia!
40′ CLOSE – Nearly an unfortunate moment for Hull as Wilford is slid through by Crabb down the left hand side and his low cross is met by Hull who miss cues his clearance that needed saving by Winterton.
41′ – The resulting corner is cleared comfortably by Eastbourne.
44′ – Poor final ball by Alfold as Mutongerwa tries playing killer ball to Leaton but is easily intercepted but is given straight to Kelvin Lucas down the right hand side with his ball in easily cleared too.
45′ – HALF TIME – Eastbourne Town 0 – 0 Alfold FC
Closely contested game sees the best opportunities going to Eastbourne who will be disappointed going into the break without a goal with a number of decent chances, including two breaks one on one with the ‘keeper. Both teams will be looking for more incisive final passes as they look for the eventual winning goal.
Half time substitution: Clyde Jacques makes way for Kieron Joseph.
Second Half begins
47′ – It had been a very scrappy start to the second half with some wayward passes and tough tackles typifying the non league nature.
51′ Close – Mutongerwa tries setting Andrade away for Alfold but Hull closes it down in time for Town. It’s been a terrific performance by the Eastbourne number 6 so far.
53′ Yellow Card – Mutongerwa is booked after some words with the referee.
58′ – Eastbourne work it well down the right with Attwood as his low shot is blocked and out for a corner.
The resulting corner evades everyone and Alfold clear.
60′ – Lovely tackle by Jamie Wanstall as he wins the ball in the middle of the park and sends a looping ball over for Leaton who controls it well but is hunted down well the the Eastbourne rear-guard.
62′ – Scrappy play by both teams with a couple of tough challenges but the referee lets play flow.
68′ Chance – Lucas charges down Alfold’s left hand side and cuts it back for Leaton who’s shot beats Winterton but is cleared off the line brilliantly by Sam Cole.
71‘ Double substitution – Eastbourne make a double change as Vickers and Crabb are off for Matt Rodrigues-Barbosa and Tom McDonald.
72′ CHANCE – Alfold get in again with Lucas as his low driven shot is saved by Winterton and the rebound is cleared.
76′ – Attwood chases the ball down which Carreia collects outside the box and calmly cleared up the pitch.
80′ – George Taggart gets a yard of space on the edge of the box and fires a shot saved well by Carreia.
85′ CHANCE – Town are in again as Taggart and Cole link up down the left as Cole uses his strength to hold off the Alfold defence to send a low cross to McDonald who gets the completely miss hits the shot.
89′ GOAL – Eastbourne 1 – 0 Alfold (Zac Attwood)
A crucial goal for Eastbourne as Attwood slots home with his left foot just outside the six yard box!
90′ – Town now winding down the clock as they hold the ball down the right corner and get a free kick. Alfold players not impressed.
91′ – Late free kick for Alfold as they seek an equaliser! The ‘keeper is up but a poor ball by Wilford does not beat the first man and is cleared easily. This was the final action as the final whistle is blown.
FULL TIME – Eastbourne 1 – 0 Alfold FC
