Today Eastbourne Town take on Alfold at The Saffrons in the SCFL Premier. Eastbourne currently sit in 4th position in the league with 19 points, whilst Alfold sit below in 10th with 14 points. Despite the difference in league positions, both teams have scored 22 goals overall so far this season, meaning that this fixture is shaping up to be a very competitive one.
Eastbourne town will be without Bradley Pritchard this afternoon after the midfielder picked up what looks to be a ligament injury to the ankle on Tuesday.
Emillia Hawkins takes you through all the action as it happens.
Starting Line-ups:
Eastbourne Town: Chris Winterton, Matt Astle, Sam Cole, Dan Bolwell, Dan Rogers, Dan Hull, Tom Vickers, Simon Johnson, Zac Attwood, Nathan Crabb, George Taggart.
Alfold FC: Luis Correia, Connor Wilford, Jamie Wanstall, Clyde Jacques, Dan Mobsby, Kelvin Lucas, Jordan Mase, Ash Mutongerwa, Renato Carvalho, Sam Leaton.
Kick Off:
1’Alford kick off and attack straight away as Jamie Chilsworth crosses the ball into Ash Mutongerwa in the penalty area, however his touch takes him wide and the ball is cleared away.
5′ Alfold claim the first chance of the game as Kelvin Lucas’ shot is sent just wide. Eastbourne react sharply by heading the other way as Nathan Crabb takes a low driven shot from the right of the penalty area, the ball is saved by the goalkeeper but heads into the direction of Zac Attwood, whose shot is also saved. A fantastic effort from the goalkeeper.
13′ Mutongerwa is sent through on goal, but Dan Hull makes a superb challenge to win the ball and clear it away. Alfold come close again as Mutongerwa sends the ball to Renato Carvalho, whose shot is stopped and cleared by Hull.
20′ It appears to be Alford who look most likely to score so far, as Chilsworth crosses the ball into Carvalho, but the ball is claimed by goalkeeper Chris Winterton. The action is followed by a pause in play as Clyde Jaques goes down with an injury. He is able to continue.
26′ It’s end to end stuff here as George Taggart is stopped in his tracks by Chilsworth who makes a great tackle. Alfold head straight to the other end and win a free kick on the edge of the box, it is taken by Conor Wilford and his shot is sent over the crossbar.
29′ SUBSTITUTION: Alford’s Jordan Mase is replaced with Tiago Andrade.
34′ Winterton makes a great save as Mutongerwa puts the ball through to Sam Leaton and the ball is sent out for the first corner of the game. The corner results in a free kick for Eastbourne in the penalty area.
35′ HOW DID HE MISS THAT?! Zac Attwood is sent through on goal and is one on one with the goalkeeper, but his shot is aimed straight towards Luis Correia, who saves it with ease.
43′ Alfold win a free kick around 30 yards out from the goal, Wilford is the man to take it, but his shot smashes into the back of Attwood and is cleared away by the defence.
HALF TIME: Eastbourne Town 0-0 Alfold
Despite both teams creating some good chances, neither side have been able to gain an advantage so far. A rather disappointing half to begin with, hopefully we will se some more action in the second half.
SUBSTITUTION: Kieran Joseph comes on to replace Clyde Jaques.
Eastbourne get us underway for the second half. A minute in and they already find themselves on the attack as Sam Cole crosses the ball into a dangerous area of the box, but the goalkeeper is on the end to claim it.
52′ After a slow start to the second half, Mutongerwa is sent through on goal, but a brilliant tackle from Hull prevents him from going one-on-one with Winterton.
56′ Alfold win another free kick just outside of the penalty area. It is once again taken by Wilford and his shot is sent towards the top left corner, but the ball is comfortably claimed by Winterton.
60′ Eastbourne win a corner as Attwood’s shot is blocked by Dan Mosby. The corner is taken but nothing comes from it and the ball is cleared away.
66′ Crabb finds himself out on the right and crosses the ball into the box, however the cross looks more like a shot as it is saved on the goalline by the goalkeeper. Leaton then has arguably the closest chance of the game so far after he shoots past a helpless Winterton in goal, but his shot is cleared off the line by Cole.
SUBSTITUTION: Tom Vickers and Nathan Crabb make way for Sam Scott and Tom McDonald
77′ McDonald is sent through on goal but Correia does extremely well to drive out of his area, collect the ball and clear it away despite being under pressure.
80′ Scott has brought tremendous energy onto the pitch since being substituted on, the ball is sent to him down on the left and he attempts to drive towards goal but is prevented by the defender. The chances do not stop for Eastbourne there however, as Taggart finds the ball in the penalty area and sends a low driven shot towards goal which is saved by the goalkeeper.
85′ Eastbourne are gaining more and more momentum coming into the closing minutes of the game as Cole holds off his defender before driving down the left and crossing it into the box, McDonald is on the end of it but is unable to control.
89′ GOAL: Finally Eastbourne break the deadlock as McDonald does well to beat his man and win the ball on the edge of the penalty area, before laying it off to Attwood who slots it into the bottom left corner.
Eastbourne Town 1-0 Alfold
90′ This could be the last chance for Alfold to get something from this game as they have a free kick towards the left of the pitch. The last ditch effort sees Correia move up towards the Eastbourne goal, but the kick is stopped on the edge of the penalty box by Scott.
Full Time: Eastbourne Town 1-0 Alfold
After a very tight game it was the home side who managed to take all 3 points after a very late winning goal from Zac Attwood. This win now takes Eastbourne Town into third place in the SCFL Premier. Tom Vickers displayed a superb performance, creating many of Eastbourne’s chances whilst also being solid defensively. Eastbourne Town now look to get a similar result in their FA Vase fixture next week against Southall.
