Walker double earns Eastbourne Borough victory at the Beveree

Never mind the FA Cup fever. The weekly round of National South fixtures rolls on – and Eastbourne Borough claimed another fine victory by 2-1 at Hampton and Richmond on Tuesday night.
Danny Bloor had Charlie Walker to thank for the goals that clinched victory at Hampton / Picture: Andy PellingDanny Bloor had Charlie Walker to thank for the goals that clinched victory at Hampton / Picture: Andy Pelling
Danny Bloor had Charlie Walker to thank for the goals that clinched victory at Hampton / Picture: Andy Pelling

Two splendid goals from skipper Charlie Walker saw the Sports in control before the hour mark, and then resilient defending saw off a late onslaught from the home side. Danny Bloor’s team have now lost only once in seven competitive games this season.

Bloor rested hotshot Chris Whelpdale and in his place, young QPR loanee Charley Kendall enjoyed a terrific night, putting the Hampton centre-backs under relentless pressure and almost finding the net himself.

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The combination of defensive discipline and pacey springboard attacks is working – and it worked once again against lively and constantly dangerous opponents. On the novelty of a grass pitch – the first fixture this season that the Sports have not played on 3G – Hampton and Richmond took the direct route, missing out midfield almost totally in the first half.

Goalmouths at each end survived some frantic moments before the Sports struck lethally on 15 minutes. Weaving in from the right, Greg Luer’s marvellous footwork set up Captain Marvel Charlie Walker, whose swift turn and low shot easily beat keeper Alan Julian.

The Beavers were an exhausting watch, full of urgency as they responded with more of the same: long, arching balls from the back and Kyron Farrell tested Franco Ravizzoli at the expense of a corner. But it was Borough who impressed - better balanced and more cohesive in attack.

So as the teams turned round at 1-0, there was plenty to play for. Hampton began the second half brightly, squeezing Borough back and creating good movement, but they were rocked on 55 minutes by a second Eastbourne goal. Dean Cox worked himself an opening and pinged the perfect cross, met by Walker with the perfect header into the top left corner.

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Hampton’s response was angry, and within minutes both Rene Steer and Sam Deadfield were added to the collection of names in Phil Steynings’ little book, for fouls on Cox and Kai Innocent. The latter youngster was enjoying a superb game on Borough’s left flank – and Sports supporters will be delighted with the news that both Innocent and Kendall have just had their loans from QPR extended by a further month.

James Ferry was denied a third Borough goal by Julian’s full-stretch save, but it was the hosts who next found the net. Razzaq Coleman, aided by an instantaneous handball which in fairness looked accidental, turned well from 15 yards and curled a shot past the unsighted Ravizzoli, which spun into the net off the far post. Game on.

With 20 minutes left and the wet pitch playing a few tricks, the Beavers went hell for leather at Borough. But their blunt attaching pressure was in sharp contrast to the incisive breaks by the Sports. Kendall sped through on a brilliant run, but his final shot was saved, and then substitute Joel Rollinson raced clear, only to be hauled down by Ru Donaldson.

With Leone Gravata on for Luer, and in the closing minutes Dan Blackmore replacing Kendall, Borough were now manning the barricades. A surreal eight minutes of added time saw home chances blazed wide, Ravizzoli clinging bravely on to every loose ball, and his counterpart Alan Julian venturing forward for the obligatory final corner kick.

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But over the ninety – or ninety-eight – minutes, the Sports had done enough, and another impressive victory was secured.

Borough: Ravizzoli; Vaughan, James, Dickenson, Innocent; Ferry, Hammond; Luer (Gravata 79), Kendall (Blackmore 87), Walker, Cox (Rollinson 70). Unused subs: Glover, Folarin.

Referee: Philip Steynings

Borough MoM: Mitch Dickenson – with silvers for Kai Innocent and Charley Kendall, and a whole batch of bronzes!

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