Eastbourne Borough brace for daunting FA Trophy trip after consummate Sussex Senior Cup win

The Sports never looked likely to slip up against plucky Shoreham at a rain-swept Priory Lane, where a core of first-teamers were outnumbered by under-18 players.

An entertaining game began quite evenly, but prospects of an upset vanished with two goals in two minutes midway through the first half, from Simo Mbonkwi and impressive youngster Fletcher Holman.

By half-time that lead had been doubled by Greg Luer and Chris Whelpdale, but the Musselmen never rolled over, and only in the final few minutes was their defence breached again, through Luer and Hayden Beaconsfield.

Boss Danny Bloor said: “Out of that squad of sixteen players, nine are still eligible to play for our under-18s. Freddie Verrall did really well and he’s still just 16. Sam Bull, Hayden Beaconsfield, I could go on naming them but they are all really good prospects for the club. An enjoyable and very successful evening!”

And next up? A mere FA Trophy trip to Ebbsfleet United – top of National League South, and on paper, the hardest draw that Borough could have been handed.

“People can call it a tough draw, but actually it’s the best draw. Ebbsfleet United are flying, as we know, and we respect them totally as a club and a team.

"Yes, they are firing on all cylinders, but they are also fighting on a lot of fronts. League leaders, title favourites, and into the second round of the FA Cup.

"And last weekend they slipped up in the league for the first time, at home to Tonbridge Angels, so we know they are mortal!

“We go there with nothing to lose, and we are in incredibly buoyant mood at the moment. Dennis Kutrieb has built a superb side, but also a footballing side, and that suits us.

"We will be well prepared, organised and we’ll get chances. My players will need no extra motivation for this one!”

Tomorrow’s game kicks off at 2pm.