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| Tuesday, 10 September, 2002: Dr Martens League Eastern Division. Eastbourne Borough 3-2 Tonbridge Angels An inability to finish chances once again ruined Angels' chances of victory in a thrilling match at Priory Lane. Tonbridge attacked straight from the kick off. Straight away Nick Barnes, replacing the unavailable Danny Kedwell, was released by Steve Portway but his shot was well held by the Eastbourne goalkeeper Paul Stark. A Barnes free kick found Brendon Cass shortly afterwards but his looping header cannoned off the cross bar. Another chance for Barnes went begging as Stark tipped his shot wide, and then Stark got his fingers to a free kick from Barnes to keep the score goalless. And this was all in the first ten minutes! Eastbourne made their first venture forwards on 11 minutes and were immediately awarded a penalty after Ryan Royston brought down the left winger. Darren Pearce converted the kick to stun Tonbridge and give the home side a 1-0 lead. This shook the Angels momentarily and the game began an end-to-end pattern that would shape most of the match. Stark came forward to head clear a Tingley cross on 30 minutes which went straight to Ryan Briggs, whose dipping volley went just over the bar. Tonbridge's deserved goal finally arrived on 34 minutes. Brendon Cass, in superb form, was put through on the left thanks to a long ball by Royston and Cass coolly sidefooted the ball past Stark into the net. Eastbourne nearly snatched back the lead through Matt Smart shortly before half time but his driving shot was stopped by Joe Radford. In the second half Tonbridge again pressed forward in search of a goal. Borough cleared after a melee in the 47th minute and then Barnes had another free kick tipped over the bar by Stark. Mid-way through the second half and the Angels were stung again. Ben Austin sprinted down the right and his cross was drilled home at the far post by David Adams to make it 2-1. Alan Walker brought on Mark Greatorex for Ryan Briggs on 75 minutes in an attempt to find an equaliser, but on 80 minutes Eastbourne killed off the match. A handball appeal was ignored by the referee and the Tonbridge defence's concentration lapsed allowing Adams to grab his second and give Borough an unassailable 3-1 lead. In injury time Steve Portway found a space on the left for Cass who calmly slotted the ball out of the reach of Stark. Report by: Dan |
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