Clem’s Corner

An agonising defeat on Saturday against a very forward minded Broadbridge Heath side left us with 1 point from our opening 3 games, and we went into our midweek home game, again hosted at East Grinstead Town FC for the last time this season before returning to the Lair in September. Eastbourne Town came off the back of an away defeat to Shoreham, however, we knew what qualities they brought to the table, and a team looking to challenge for promotion are always dangerous.

Taking what positives we could from recent performances, and a slightly altered shape with slightly altered individual responsibilities... we come together to become compact and tough to beat and try to be more efficient in possession. Has to be said both halves were quite stalemated. Eastbourne Town having more possession whilst we edged the better of chances, a succession of 4 corners of which we met every time to head goalwards, and Burnett wasn’t really tested at the other end. Fairly cagey affair after 45 mins. 0-0 HT

Key to downfall against Broadbridge Heath 3 days earlier was slow starts to both halves. This was different! A solid start in the first, and an even better start in the 2nd stealing the ball high up, I managed to get the ball into Ransome, a cute flick around the corner for the 1-2, and with what I call my standing leg, guide the ball into the bottom corner. Again, still dubious to whether Rans is still working on just getting that first touch under...? Half an hour to play when some changes began to happen for both sides, they become more forward thinking whilst us the opposite, basically reversing formations as we dropped into a 5 in midfield, and they stretched to 2 up top. Must add that just before this, a blatant foul on Wilford on the right-hand side wasn’t seen by anyone as he looked to cross and completely missed the ball, injuring himself in the process... Eastbourne Town tried to throw everything at it, a few more set pieces and more bodies forward, but again never really looked like scoring. If anything, we looked as though we could go the other way and see it all off. It finished at 1-0 though, and a valiant effort from all to secure our first maximum points of the season against a strong side.

Some real positivity brought into the dressing room from the result, hoping that’s the springboard for us to go and get our season right underway. We’ll be travelling to Eastbourne twice over the bank holiday weekend to the same ground. First, Saturday to Eastbourne United, then on Monday morning to Little Common. Looks like a potential big weekend for us in the scheme of things.

A big thank you to both home and away support, whose voice was heard across the ground. We hope to see you all down the coastline this weekend.

MOM Spehen Hodge

Up the Lingers

Sammy Clements