Three points are a must as Eastbourne Borough welcome Enfield for huge relegation showdown
As the games go by without a win, the need for Eastbourne Borough to put points on the board becomes more and more urgent. And so far this season, that requirement hasn’t been as urgent as it is tomorrow.
Players and managers often don’t like talk of ‘must-win’ games but anything less than three points for the Sports at home to Enfield – who are level on points with them in the National South relegation zone – will feel like a fairly big step towards the drop. Borough have lost five in a row since the late December 4-3 win at Tonbridge and are seven points below the safety line.
Boss Tommy Widdrington remains bullish about his side’s efforts and their ability to turn things around. But there’s no getting away from the view tomorrow’s 23rd v 22nd clash is vital.
"We want to beat every team we play – that’s the aim when we go into the analysis and due diligence. That’s what we’ll be looking at – trying to win the next game,” he told club media after Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge, which followed last Saturday’s 2-1 home reverse to Farnborough.
"We’ll be giving (the players) information in the same way we’ve done since we walked through the door. We know it works – I’ve done it long enough.
"We have to impart our thinking and plans to the players and that’s got to be executed. But Enfield are in a similar situation. No-one’s going to roll over and give us three points.
"We’ve got some very young lads experiencing first-team football for the first time. And this is the most difficult part of football, if you’re not winning. It’s really easy when you’re winning – when you’re not, you have to find something in yourself."
But he added: "If I was a betting man, I would bet we’ve got the right people in the dressing room.”
Widdrington felt there were things to like about the Sports’ display at Dagenham.
"Their goalie’s made two fantastic saves in the second half, and that’s the fine margin. From us being in a really good position at one end of the pitch, they’ve managed to go straight to the other end and score the second goal,” he said.
Widdrington again thanked fans for continuing to support the team – and it’s support that will be vital tomorrow if Borough are to get that much-needed win.