Eastbourne Town still 'very confident' of title success

Eastbourne Town manager John Lambert is ‘very confident’ that his side can win the Premier Division after their 3-0 win away to Pagham on the Saturday.
Eastbourne Town celebrate scoring against Pagham on Saturday. Picture by Joe KnightEastbourne Town celebrate scoring against Pagham on Saturday. Picture by Joe Knight
Eastbourne Town celebrate scoring against Pagham on Saturday. Picture by Joe Knight

A first half hat-trick from in-form striker Zac Attwood helped third-place Town to a convincing 3-0 win which closed the gap on leaders Lancing to six points.

However, 12 minutes from time Eastbourne Town’s Thomas Vickers and Pagham’s Jack Barnes were shown red cards as both were involved in an altercation off the ball after a foul.

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Barnes was first to see red but, just as play was about to resume, assistant referee Andy Higgins called referee Jonathon Wilks over and after a lengthy discussion Vickers was shown a red for an alleged punch.

After the game, Eastbourne Town boss Lambert admitted his side can still win the Premier Division if his team replicate last season’s good form.

He said: “We’re very confident. We had a blip around November which wasn’t a great couple of weeks for us but apart from that we’ve been pretty good and have turned a corner now.

“Last year we went on a run of one loss in 26 games and if we can do that again I think the title will be ours.

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“We’ve got Lancing to come to our place who are currently top so it’s all in the mix.

“There’s probably three teams that are favourites but there’s still a long way to go.”

Lambert has been delighted with Attwood’s red-hot performances since coming back from injury.

He added: “We didn’t get him back until November as he was out with an Achilles problem.

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“It did take him a few weeks to get back up to speed but he’s flying at the moment and he’s playing really well.”

“He got a hat-trick a couple weeks ago so he’s leading the line very well.”

It’s not just Attwood who has impressed boss Lambert this season, who admitted he’s happy to see his players back on form after a bad run of results.

He said: “Most of my players have done well this season. We had a dodgy spell defensively just before Christmas, but we seem to have got over that.

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“Sam Cole and our captain Simon Johnson have been outstanding this year, as have most of the side has.

“I could go on. They’re all playing really well and hopefully it can continue until May.”

With Town heading into the business end of the season, Lambert is happy to have no major absentees from his squad leading into a tough run of games.

He added: “Tom Vickers got sent off on Saturday so we’re expecting a three-game ban for him. Injury wise we’re pretty good at the moment.

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“We’re going to need everyone fit with 12 games to go and a cup final in the next six weeks. It’s a tough schedule coming up.”

Attwood scored another goal on Tuesday night as Town drew 1-1 away at AFC Uckfield Town.

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