FA Trophy trip is one test too far for Eastbourne Borough

A drastically re-shaped Eastbourne Borough side slipped out of the FA Trophy on Tuesday night, losing 3-1 at Haringey Borough.

Manager Danny Bloor’s starting line-up included only five players who would be regarded as automatic choices in National South.

He chose instead to rest several key personnel and handed a shirt to loyal squad players – some making their competitive debuts. A rash gamble, or a conscious piece of strategy?

Perhaps a dash of the former, but actually Bloor and his staff were looking at the wider picture.

“That was our 18th competitive game in ten weeks, and every one of them has been highly competitive,” said Bloor. “It’s bound to take its toll. Our immediate first-team squad isn’t large, and all players have given everything, match after match.

“I had some who deserved a breather, and others who would not have been fit anyway - even though one or two of them made the bench.”

Of the usual first-choice line-up, only Mitch Dickenson, Kai Innocent. James Hammond, Greg Luer and skipper Charlie Walker were on the starting teamsheet, although James Ferry joined them just before kick-off because of Manni Folarin’s delayed arrival at the ground.

Loyal and promising keeper Luke Glover pulled on the gloves after sitting out every game so far on the bench.

There were starts for full-back Benjamin Basse and midfielder Leone Gravata, while Dan Blackmore and Charlie Lambert each had a full 90 minutes. Off the bench later came Folarin, Perez and Charlie Towning.

“We would have loved an FA Trophy run, but we needed to weigh it all up,” Bloor said. “There are a number of promising players who’ve trained loyally, and they deserved their chance. The result went against us but there were other gains.”

There are easier surroundings to make your debut than Haringey. The North London club are riding high in the Isthmian Premier. It was 2-0 at the break and Bloor said: “One-nil at half-time would have been manageable but a two-goal deficit is always hard to pull back.

“And five minutes into the second half Haringey scored a good team goal which pretty much sealed it.”

Greg Luer notched a late consolation goal for the Sports.