‘It highlights how much we need to strengthen’ – Eastbourne Borough boss admits there’s hard work ahead
Eastbourne Borough boss Matt Gray admits his side are still a work in progress after a major summer rebuild has left him short on numbers and experience.
The Sports slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against Dover Athletic on Tuesday night, leaving them 22nd in the National League South table with just a single point from their opening three games.
The loss came three days after they’d gone down 2-1 at home to Hornchurch – their only point so far gained in a 1-1 draw at Farnborough.
A testing trip to Twerton Park to face Bath City awaits Borough on Saturday before they welcome Slough Town to Priory Lane on Monday afternoon.
So far, Gray has overseen the arrival of ten new players and the departure of eighteen from the squad he inherited. The former Sutton United manager says the upheaval has made the early weeks of the season particularly testing.
“It’s still very early days, and it’s been a tough preseason with so much going on. There’s been a huge turnaround of players, through no one’s fault, so it feels like we’re starting again with this squad,” Gray reflected.
“No new group hits the ground running, and while I’ve seen promising signs, I also know there’s plenty to work on. I also know recruitment is key.
“I’ve got nothing against the lads on the bench because they’ve earned their place, but when you’ve got 17- and 18-year-olds filling those roles, it highlights how much we need to strengthen. We’re working hard on that, and it’s not through lack of trying.”
Against Dover, Borough had the better of possession and chances in the opening half but failed to turn pressure into goals and were punished just after the restart when George Nikaj broke the deadlock. From there, the visitors managed the game effectively, leaving Borough chasing without much end product.
Gray said:“I thought the first 10–15 minutes were a bit scrappy, but we soon settled into the game.
“For the last half hour of the first half we were excellent: moved the ball well, switched play effectively, got into good areas, delivered crosses, threatened from set pieces, and even hit the bar.
“We created enough chances to be two or three goals ahead, so the frustration at half-time was not making them count. Then, to start the second half, we conceded almost immediately — a poor goal from bad decision-making that gave them a lift.
“Coming off the back of their promotion and a positive weekend, it gave them something to defend. After that, the second half was difficult. We huffed and puffed without really creating anything to get back into the game.”