Town 18s Defeat United in the Eastbourne Derby: Match Report

Eastbourne Town Under-18s battled back from an early setback to secure a 2-1 victory over local rivals Eastbourne United Under-18s in a thrilling encounter. It was a tale of resilience and determination as we turned the game on its head after a shaky start.

United came out strong and took an early lead, dominating the opening 15 minutes as we struggled to find our rhythm. During this period, we were second best to United’s high pressing and sharp passing, which kept us pinned back in our half.

However, the tide began to turn as Tommy Duggins and Harvey Galt started to take control of the midfield, working hard to get on the ball and drive us forward. The energy levels rose across the pitch, particularly from Connor Lynch, who was instrumental in breaking up play and winning crucial possession battles. Our persistence paid off with just ten minutes to go until halftime.

We earned a corner, and when United’s goalkeeper failed to clear properly, his punch rebounded off Fraser Price’s head and into the net, levelling the score at 1-1. Sensing blood, we pushed forward for a second, and just two minutes before the break, we completed the turnaround. Ben Hanmer latched onto a clearance and hit a sublime volley into the far-left corner, leaving the United keeper with no chance.

The halftime whistle came at the wrong moment for us, as we were firmly on top and looked likely to score more. Nevertheless, we went into the break with a deserved 2-1 lead.

The second half was a more cagey affair, with both teams fighting for control in the middle of the park. The game slowed down due to a series of fouls that disrupted the flow for both sides. We thought we had a chance to extend our lead when Reuben Tucker was tripped right on the edge of the box, but despite our appeals for a penalty, the referee awarded a free-kick instead.

As the game wore on, United regained some momentum and finished the match strongly, just as they had started. In the last 15 minutes, they created two golden opportunities, but to our relief, both shots sailed over the bar when they seemed destined for the net.

In the end, we held firm to secure the three points, extending our unbeaten start to the season with four wins from four. A gritty performance, but one that showed the character and resilience of this group. Onward and upward!

Final Score: Eastbourne Town Under-18s 2-1 Eastbourne United Under-18s

Goals:
Fraser Price (35’)
Ben Hanmer (43’)