Injury-hit Eastbourne Town suffer defeat to Steyning
Eastbourne Town came into their Bank Holiday Monday encounter with Isthmian League new boys Steyning Town on a high after a statement 5-0 victory over Peacehaven in the week and qualifying for the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy with victory over Bedfont Sports on Saturday.
But despite the positive results, Town's injury list just seven games in is absurdly long.
Six key players were missing for this one, Leon Greig, Jack Murphy, Anesu Sisimayi, Ollie Davies, Aaron Capon and Marcin Ruda, all sidelined with respective injuries and illness.
After some much-needed rain, The Saffrons grass pitch was in tip-top condition and ready for an East meets West Sussex clash.
The opening exchanges were simply that, open, both teams playing very direct and launching the ball forward for their forwards to test the pace of the opposition defences.
After just three minutes, Steyning made the breakthrough. Alex Brewer flew down the right wing, his cross found its way through the penalty area and out to Jared Rance, who hit his strike through a sea of players, beating Chris Winterton low down to his left.
Town responded well to going down, efforts from Sonny Walsh and Luke Emberson threatening Alfie Mansell's goal, but no equaliser for Town – 1-0l Steyning at the break.
The second half was frustrating for Town. Despite bucketloads of possession, a lack of creativity in the final third hindered Jude Macdonald's men.
Some half chances came and went, Rogers with a free-kick saved and Hopkinson with an instinctive follow-up header went over the bar was as good as it was going to get for the home side.
Despite a solid performance from the visitors, a moment of madness from Tad Bromage would see the defender receive a second yellow card. An unnecessary shove in the back of Nathan Hover into the advertising hoardings was enough for the referee to show the red card.
A disappointing afternoon for Eastbourne Town, who will pick themselves up an go again with an away trip to Ashfor United on Saturday. They then return to Erith Town in the FA Trophy a week later – having alreay lost there in the FA Cup a few weeks ago.