Eastbourne Borough through in FA Cup after entertaining encounter at Whitehawk

The match and the momentum had swayed to and fro all afternoon, with Jay Lovett's Hawks playing a full part - and never conceding defeat until the very final few minutes. Borough's early 2-0 lead was cancelled out by a Whitehawk fightback before half-time, and the home side could well have gone ahead in a surging start to the second half, before the Sports sealed victory late on.

But a game of football is sometimes more than a game of football. This encounter, at Whitehawk's distinctive Enclosed Ground high above East Brighton under a clear blue sky, was a reunion, and an amiable sharing of the love of the game.

The reunion? Well, everyone seemed to know someone - and everyone knew Borough manager Steve King, who managed the Hawks for two eventful seasons which included an unforgettable FA Cup run. King's talented team came within two stoppage-time minutes of a Third Round Proper trip to Everton, before bowing out to Dagenham and Redbridge on a dark, muddy East Brighton night.

Saturday's playing conditions could not have been more different. A bright blue sky, light breeze, and all the locals basking in the sunshine. Enter the Enclosed Ground, and you are instantly among friends: that curious non-league blend of defiant allegiance to your own club but a shared love of the sport.

Oh, and a green, beautifully grassed pitch that seems to slope three ways at once: it's called home advantage. Two miles across the Downs, Albion will be hosting Leeds United in a showpiece encounter, perfectly stage-managed. Here, we take the imperfections in our stride. Hawks manager Jay Lovett, one of the most respected figures in Sussex football, is back to his roots.

"I love this place. I remember playing here for Hollingbury Hawks in an Under-11 cup final! We are playing in a tough league, and today we will be underdogs but I have a keen squad who give everything for the shirt.” The club feels alive, eager, and happy in its skin, and visiting supporters are unsegregated and warmly welcomed. Football should always be like this.

The Sports started on the front foot, and broke the deadlock with just six minutes on the clock. Arthur Grout fired a low ball in from the left and Nash turned the ball home with a back-heel for his second goal for Borough.

And they doubled their lead through Darren McQueen, who after striding on to a pass from Corbett, cut inside on to his left foot and buried his shot into the bottom corner. Just fifteen minutes played, a scoreline of 2-0, and the visitors looked in total control.

But Hawks responded, and after Lewis Carey was forced into a smart save to deny Imran Kayani, they pulled a goal back when Seok-Jae Lee floated the ball in to the back post, where an unmarked Rhys Murphy planted a header past the Borough keeper.

Borough came close to regaining their two-goal lead, but Josh Rees skewed an effort high and wide after good work from McQueen down the right.

However, the hosts did draw level before the break. Victor Aiye kept the ball alive down the left-hand side and, after cutting into the area, was upended: the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Lee stepped up, and his drive to Carey’s right just squeezed into the net despite a big glove from the keeper.

After the break it was Whitehawk’s turn for a fast start. Two great chances within five minutes of each other: first, Whitehawk’s attack tore Eastbourne open and found Lee Seok Jae, who had an acre of space right in the middle of Eastbourne Borough’s goalmouth – but could only fire straight at the keeper. Then a classic long hoof up the slope carried enough momentum to bounce off a Borough defender and find Rhys Murphy through on goal. But the experienced striker steered his chip over the keeper – but just over the bar.

Both teams were still on the front foot – and nobody seemed even to be considering a midweek replay! For some spectators of a certain age, the match had a hint of those marathon lunchtime games in the playground – and the ultimate cry of “Next goal decides…!”

On the 73rd minute mark, that goal arrived. From just a couple of yards outside the Whitehawk box, Kai Corbett’s brilliant dipping free-kick was palmed on to the crossbar by home keeper Muca, but pinged down into the net for a crucial Eastbourne lead.

From there on, the Hawks resistance seemed to have broken. Two minutes later, from a scything Borough move, Nash’s low effort was parried into the path of that man McQueen, who found his second and Eastbourne’s fourth.

A string of substitutions followed from Whitehawk, hoping to bring fresh energy into the home team, but the momentum had swung to the visitors. At the final whistle, Borough had seen out the game quite comfortably: FA Cup progress for the visitors, and an early exit for the hosts.

Genuinely two-sided then, and a little closer than Kingy would have liked. The two clubs will meet again twice in the Isthmian Premier, over Christmas and Easter. A midwinter Enclosed Ground may be trickier underfoot, and the dress code will be overcoats instead of shirtsleeves. But the Whitehawk welcome will be glowing and the non-league smiles will be wide.