Frustrated – but Widdrington is positive too as Eastbourne Borough plan for Weston clash
Football never stops. A Tuesday night home defeat – to Dagenham and Redbridge – will be despatched from the memory if Eastbourne Borough can find their best form against Weston-super-Mare this weekend. And Tommy Widdrington is keener than anyone for 3pm on Saturday.
“Frustration is the word,” he said after Tuesday’s defeat. “The first half was probably the best 45 minutes that we’ve played since I have been at the club. Really good attacking football, a lot of chances created.
"We were not quite clinical enough, but it would have been a travesty had we not gone in with a half-time lead. But it happened here against Chesham and it’s happened again – the team haven’t quite got the confidence to push on when we’re in the lead.
“Twice away from home, we’ve gone ahead and held on to the lead, but it almost seems that here at home there’s a bit of a barrier. But I’ve got to take the positives from the game.
"We lost Easty (skipper Craig Eastmond) early on, then we lost Jayden Davis and we lost Freddie Carter at half-time. So we had to overcome that. And if there were neutrals here, they’ve probably gone away thinking, how did Eastburne not get anything out of that game.
“The specific reason is that we didn’t defend set pieces well enough, especially of course the two corners from which Dagenham scored. And that sticks in the craw – but we have to move on quickly to the next game.”
“The players have been very receptive to everything I’ve introduced to them. We want to be fast, front-footed, energetic. For most of the game we were that! I’m disappointed for the group, not with the group. I’ve said one or two harsh things in that dressing room, and they must take them on the chin.
“As for our supporters, I’m desperate to give them wins!”
And those supporters? In a world driven by social media, all fans have opinions and most are swift to share them. But strikingly – if top scorer Pemi Aderoju will forgive the pun – this week’s Borough results have prompted a rash of positive comments.
By Wednesday morning, the supporters’ Facebook group was brimming, not with moans or after-event wisdom, but with praise for both team and management.
“Borough controlled the first half. Lots of pace and directness getting forward. I actually thought it was (Borough’s) best match of the season!” - “Really good performance tonight! Dagenham certainly didn’t deserve to win.” - “We have a striker on top form, (but) the others around him need to start chipping in!”
“Certainly the better team! That felt like smash and grab!” - “I am bemused how we didn’t get three points this evening? The team was great and that first half was dominant.”
“Borough by far the better side – but our inability to defend corners cost us the game!” - “Bring on Saturday!”
And Saturday brings Weston-super-Mare on the long haul from the West Country to the Connect Management Stadium. Last Saturday the Somerset Seagulls actually knocked Tommy’s former club Aldershot Town out of the FA Cup. His new employers – and supporters – will be ready and unshaken.