Howell expects no easy ride as Eastbourne Borough return home

After two successful matchdays on the road, Eastbourne Borough return to Priory Lane tomorrow  looking to keep their place among the National South front-runners, writes Kevin Anderson.
Lloyd Dawes. Picture by Jamie EvansLloyd Dawes. Picture by Jamie Evans
Lloyd Dawes. Picture by Jamie Evans

The Sports have four wins and four draws from their nine games, but visitors Slough Town lie just two points behind them in a crowded league table. Jamie Howell expects no easy ride.

“Slough Town are an interesting side. They came up through the play-offs, with a bit of momentum, and they have kept most of their squad together. We have done a little bit of homework, of course, and we know that they will come to us in quite a positive frame of mind. They have enough about them to hold their own in this division.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“To be honest, we’ve not had an easy game yet, whether the opposition are top of the table or near the bottom. What pleases me is that we look much tighter this season and less likely to concede. If the opposition score against us, it has to be by a bit of great play or brilliance on their part, and not because we’ve bowed graciously and held the door open for them.

“In fact it’s only twice, in the nine games, that we have ever been behind – against Truro, when we fought back for a point and were probably worth all three, and against Woking, who got their winner too late in the game for us to respond.”

SEE ALSO Eastbourne Town boss Lambert admits: 'I don't know my best team' | Bede’s Footballers travel to Spain for pre-season tour | A trip to the unknown for Eastbourne Borough in the FA CupThe other difference, perhaps, is experience. One or two eyebrows were raised when Howell recruited the likes of Dean Cox, Ryan Hall and David Martin.

“What they bring is not just playing ability, but the experience and the nous to manage a game. Maybe last season we had too many followers out there and not so many leaders, but now it’s the other way round.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“And to have Sim (Ian Simpemba) in the technical area, directing a lot of the defensive shape and tactics, well, it’s like having an extra defender on the pitch.”

Is the current fourth place in National South a fair reflection? “We are still not getting carried away. We are not promising to win the league, but we know we can hold our own. Both I and my staff and players have been thrilled, really thrilled, with the response we are getting from the supporters. I say to them – keep coming, bring your mates, and we will give you our very best in return. We need each other.”

Howell will wait on the fitness of one or two, but he is unlikely to try any unforced changes to the starting line-up which has looked settled in recent weeks. Harry Ransom suffered facial injuries, but only superficial ones, in a combative affair at Dartford. But striker Lloyd Dawes might need further recovery time after pulling up suddenly at Princes Park. Word from within the camp was that Lloyd suffered not the dreaded pulled hamstring, but a strained gluteal muscle – and a pain in the backside is usually easier to overcome...