EASTBOURNE Borough recorded back-to-back home victories in the Isthmian League Premier, after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chatham Town.
Liam Nash had put the Sports ahead in first-half injury time, before Brad Stevenson equalised for the Chats from the penalty spot. However, Matthew Hayden announced his return to the side by netting the winner and gave Borough all three points, against an eventual 10-man away side.
Hayden replaced Elliott Johnson in the only change from Saturday’s 3-0 win against Cheshunt, with Josh Rees wearing the captain’s armband.
Despite not many clear attempts on goal from either side, it didn’t account for the electric start to the game. Both teams were trying to keep the ball to create an opening, but nothing really occurred. Borough were the team on the front foot and got into good areas, however they were just lacking that cutting edge.
Sam Oguntayo had the best chance, as he ran onto Kai Corbett’s neat flick, yet his effort from just inside the area didn’t trouble Nathan Harvey in the Chatham goal.
However, a break in play for an injury to Alex Giles meant the referee played ten minutes of injury time in the first half. That time proved vital as Borough took the lead courtesy of Nash, a minute before the break.
The same combination of Corbett and Oguntayo allowed the latter to fizz a ball across the box, and after a couple of ricochets, the ball fell kindly for Nash who squeezed the ball underneath Harvey to send the home side into half-time with the lead.
It seemed like Nash’s goal sparked life into the away side, as they came quickest out the blocks for the second half. The score could’ve been 1-1 in the 55th minute, if not for a crucial tackle from Freddie Carter to prevent Chatham substitute Sam Folarin from getting a shot off in the box.
Dapo Olugbodi was the next to try his luck, but his curling effort narrowly went over the bar. The pressure did eventually pay off for Chatham though in the 68th minute.
Goalkeeper Harvey claimed a Borough corner before sending a long ball towards Ben Allen to run in on goal. Allen was beaten to the ball by Nash, however Borough’s number 10 headed short towards Lewis Carey allowing the Chatham substitute to get to the ball before Carey and despite missing his chipped effort, was adjudged to be fouled with the referee awarding a penalty.
Brad Stevenson drilled home, despite the Borough number one guessing the right way and all of a sudden, the score was level.
But that scoreline would only stay the same for six minutes, as Borough retook the lead through Hayden. Arthur Grout won the ball in midfield before spreading the play to Hayden on the right. The full back was allowed to stretch his legs before playing wide to McQueen who found Hayden on the overlap, and after running at goal, the full-back produced a fine finish in at the near post to put Borough back in front.
It was clear Borough weren’t finished and wanted to seal the victory. Sub Jack Stone forced Harvey into a smart stop, as did Corbett, before Oguntayo had an effort smash against the crossbar in injury-time.
For all the squandered chances, the game would eventually be capped off with Chatham goalkeeper Harvey being sent off after Chatham sent everyone up for a last-minute corner. The goalkeeper missed the ball, allowing Corbett to run towards an empty goal, but a reckless pull back gave the referee no other choice but to send him off at the death, and ultimately blow for full-time.
The next match will take place on Saturday 19th September against Windsor & Eton. Buy tickets
Report by Ollie Stidder
