Thrilling win over Boreham Wood shows Eastbourne Borough’s promotion credentials

Promotion rivals, with British Summer Time only now just done? Well, yes: these two clubs will surely be battling for honours when the clocks go forward again next April. And it was Eastbourne who timed their win to perfection.

A coach breakdown en route had not been ideal preparation for the North Londoners, who did not arrive at Priory Lane until after 2.00pm. But their confident, organised start to the match gave no hint, either of fluster or of the drama to come.

Boreham Wood, a goal up through Erico Sousa’s 41st minute penalty, were standing firm against a second-half battering from the home side, until the 75th minute. Then a huge diagonal free-kick from just inside the visitors’ half was met beyond the far post by George Alexander, who controlled it and swept home an equaliser.

And nine minutes later – with Wood actually on the front foot seeking to reclaim the lead – home full-back David Sesay raced forward and played a wonderful crossfield pass to release substitute Fin Ballard McBride. With the visitors over-committed and desperately scrambling back, McBride sizzled a brilliant strike into the top corner to claim the points.

In the first half, chances had come and gone at both ends. Michael Klass belted one glorious opening sky-high for Eastbourne from CJ Clarke’s brilliant right wing break, before Femi Olesanmi glanced his header off the home crossbar from a Wood corner.

Time and again possession flipped like a card-sharper’s aces, both teams finding space and stretching their opponents. And four minutes before the break, Borough keeper Joe Wright stretched at the feet of Kwesi Appiah and brought him down. Femi Olesanmi drilled home the spot kick for 1-0.

Stick or twist? Boreham Wood looked happy to sit tight in the second half, and it felt as if the game was theirs to lose. Indeed they were defending with discipline, but the Sports’ front-foot offensives were squeezing the pressure ever tighter.

Then, finally, the match was turned on its head with two lovely strikes from two fine players.

Alexander is a thorn in the side of every opposition defence, and he has that priceless knack of snapping up chances. If you're old enough, think Jimmy Greaves. If you're a bit younger, think Keegan, Owen or Vardy.

Ballard McBride - a very different style of striker who doesn't always do the one-touch stuff but who purrs like a classic Bentley - has been itching to get some action, and he seized his moment with that outstanding run and finish.

Slot those two strikers into the pack of eager hunters that Murray has assembled, and in those final fifteen minutes, Borough had turned the game on its head.

THE VIEW FROM THE PRESS BENCH

After Borough’s feeble implosion at Hampton and Richmond, this was the perfect response. The shape was clear and all players seemed to understand their roles: their football was often incredibly high paced, and they got the fine margins exactly right when launching their attacks.

Boreham Wood were a little off the pace, in all senses, and in the second half they looked shell-shocked by Borough’s come-back. It is far too early to say it out loud – but this was promotion form.

THE VIEW FROM THE GAFFER

Manager Adam Murray was more than happy.

“I’ve been asking for mentality from this group of players. I know they have talent and an awful lot of quality, but I’ve wanted that belief and that faith in what we do. We made a couple of changes at half-time, and the whole game changed on that.

“This league is about us. There are some really good teams in it, but I don’t fear anything in this division, as long as we can be consistent and produce regular performances like this one.”

THE STATS

Eastbourne Borough (3-5-2): Wright; Carter, Diarra, Bird (Quick 78); Sesay, Williams (Ballard McBride 46), Klass (Johnson 46), Odesanya, Clarke; Bamba (Ligendza 78), Alexander. Unused subs: Pavey

Boreham Wood (3-5-2): Ashmore; Hare (Agbontohoma 90), Bush, Olesanmi; Coxe, Whelan, Payne, Abdulmalik (Goddard 54), Sousa; Appiah, Dixon (Marsh 73) Unused subs: Sagaf, O’Connell

Referee: Harry Wager Att: 1,001 Star rating: FIVE stars

Star Man: CJ Clarke (Eastbourne Borough)