Eastbourne United and Borough happy to be reunited as optimism flows through neighbouring clubs

Saturday’s weather was ridiculously hot, of course, but Borough and hosts Eastbourne United defied the burning heat with a combative game which must have drained the players – but actually satisfied the management and spectators.

The Sports’ margin of victory – 2-0 with both goals in the first half – did not quite reflect their dominance, but results are secondary in pre-season.

Borough boss Steve King really has done some impressive business in the summer, bringing in a core of experienced players – and others with bright potential – to compile a squad which will surely make an impact in the Isthmian Premier.

His counterpart Anthony Storey – and the two managers are good friends – has his own ambitions, and United looked better than their step five status. A very satisfactory afternoon all round then? Yes, absolutely – and what a pleasure for Borough to reunite with United.

The Oval isn’t actually an Oval any more! The admirable renovations under the current management at United have created a splendid new arena, more enclosed and frankly more spectator-friendly, and everything looks and feels like a club on the up.

Local fans with long memories will recall an open, windswept arena, often battered by gales from the Channel. A running track, a condemned grandstand and a clubhouse proudly displaying sepia photographs of teams as ancient as the First World War.

The playing surface wasn’t great either – not that a few little bumps prevented a 16-year-old Rio Ferdinand in the early 90s scoring the best schoolboy goal you’ll ever see, for London Schools. And United teams through the decades had their own fine players and superb managers – including Ron Greenwood and Gordon Jago.

My own best – but bittersweet – memory is of United’s gripping FA Vase run, a decade ago now, under Simon Rowland. The second leg of the semi-final, ending in a desperately close defeat, saw the Oval packed so tight that there were spectators on neighbouring garage roofs.

But football never stops re-inventing itself. Under chairman Matt Thompson and manager Storey, United have a smart new stadium and super 3G pitch. Club secretary and Herald scribe Steve Huxley was on the gate to welcome us, and there were smiles and reunions all round.

Storey endlessly seeks out new young talent and brings it through: Arthur Grout and T’yano Wilson were out there in Borough strip, but the two teenagers’ precocious talent was nurtured under Storey.

King, meanwhile, has assembled a hugely promising Borough squad which could exceeds fans’ close-season expectations.

The 2-0 final scoreline was less than the Sports deserved – it came through an early strike by Max Sheaf and a second after 20 minutes from Gold Omotayo – but there were eye-catching contributions from Darren McQueen, Josh Rees and Liam Nash, as well as the perpetual motion of wide man Kai Corbett.

Inevitably, the blistering heat was draining the players by the minute, and we just about made it through the afternoon. But this had been a useful outing for the teams and their management – and a hugely enjoyable outing for local football followers.