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Borough's lead at the top cut to one point
Eastbourne Borough saw their lead at the top of Blue Square South reduced to a solitary point after this afternoon's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Bromley.
While Borough were struggling to cope with bitter, gale force conditions at Priory Lane, Lewes were returning to winning ways at Sutton where they triumphed 3-0.
Borough could have no complaints about their fifth league defeat of the season before a 1,123 crowd.
They were second best in all departments against a Bromley side which took command from the start.
Boss Garry Wilson admitted, "We never got started and were short all over the pitch. It was certainly not the Eastbourne Borough performance we are used to. It was not our day."
Borough suffered a pre-match setback with striker Andy Atkin failing a late fitness test, but it was doubtful whether he would have made any significant difference.
Bromley dominated the first half and must have gone in at the interval disappointed not to have been at least two goals to the good.
It was only indecisive finishing and superb goalkeeping by Lee Hook that kept the scoreline level.
Hook did well to save a seventh minute volley from Karl Blackford and, with half-time approaching, he thwarted burly striker Omari Coleman who was through on his own.
Still Bromley held the whip hand in the second half although it was visitors' keeper Gareth I. Williams who was called into rare action when he threw himself at the feet of Allan Tait after a one-two with Scott Ramsay.
Robbie Kember fired over after a fine move involving Ramsay and Pat Harding, but far too much of the action was at the other end where Hook performed wonders to deny Gareth A. Williams.
A double substitution saw Darren Budd and Matt Smart replace Kember and Matt Crabb shortly followed by Nathan Crabb coming on for Tait.
But the result worked the wrong way for Borough with Bromley going ahead in the 72nd minute with a somewhat bizarre goal.
Omaria Colman's floating corner seemed to hold in the wind and amid a packed goalmouth Luke l'Anson somehow forced the ball into the net.
Boro hit back and when Ramsay was fouled on the edge of the area, Neil Jenkins' free-kick was wide of the mark.
As the game moved into injury time, Bromley went two up when Mark De Bolla showed superb control to beat Hook after a fine through ball from sub Nic McDonnell.
There were momentary thoughts of a Basingstoke style comeback when Jay Lovett played the ball into the box and Paul Armstrong's back header beat the keeper.
But it was simply too deep into stoppage time to have any real impact and the only remaining drama came right at the death.
De Bolla was cautioned by referee C. Hatzidakis for diving in the area following a challenge by Andy Ballard.
De Bolla's foolish reaction was to headbutt Ballard in the seventh minute of stoppage time for which he received a red card.
In other local games, Eastbourne Town pulled off a tremendous 2-1 win away to Corinthian Casuals, but there was no joy for Eastbourne United AFC who were beaten 1-0 at home to Pagham.
Get your Wednesday GAzette for all the senior soccer reports and keep in touch with this website on Monday for immediate coverage of the bank holiday games.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
