Match Report: Eastbourne Town 1-3 Beckenham Town

The day had finally arrived. The new season was upon us, ten years on, Eastbourne Town Football Club made its return to Isthmian League Football.

It was not the start Town had hoped for though. Just under five minutes into the match the visitors opened the scoring courtesy of striker, Louie Theophanous. Freddie Nyhus advanced with the ball from the right-back position and slotted a neat pass through to Theophanous who delayed his strike, rounded Chris Winterton and slotted home the first goal of the game. Welcome to the Isthmian League!

Despite conceding early, Town reset and had plenty of possession and sighters at goal. James Stone with two good efforts, an attempted lob followed by a good strike from long-range. Marcin Ruda tried his hand at an attempt on goal, latching onto a cross from Knory Scott but the Polish midfielder’s side-footed effort sailed wide. Then, controversy at The Saffrons.

James Hull squared the ball perfectly to Anesu Sisimayi whose shot deflected off multiple players on the goalline and found its way into the Beckenham net. Celebrations followed as Town deservedly got back into the game but with cries of offside from the visitors, the referee decided to discuss the situation with his linesman, neither official had given an offside decision initially.

After much deliberation, the officials decided that James Stone was offside. 0-1 it remained. Beckenham started to find their feet again after the disallowed goal, testing Winterton a many occasions but some solid saves by the Town number one would see the score remain one-nil to the visitors at half-time.

The second half started much the same as the first, good spells for both sides but the visitors would once again find the back of the net early on. A simple ball over the top would find Jamarie Brissett who confidently slotted home the visitor’s second of the game. Work to do for The Town.

Despite conceding a second goal, Town rose to the challenge and so to did James Hull. JJ Walker with a pinpoint diagonal ball from right to left found a leaping James Hull whose perfectly timed header sailed into the Beckenham Town net. Back in it and looking threatening.

Town threw everything at Beckenham for most of the second half, all substitutes were used and the top end of the pitch was loaded up. After plenty of efforts on goal including the best one from JJ Walker whose header from a corner went agonisingly just over the crossbar, Town conceded a third on the counter-attack. Beckenham broke, Freddie Nyhus shot was blocked well by Jack Murphy but Steven Townsend followed up with a well-executed strike from the edge of the box to dash Town’s hopes of a comeback.

It wasn’t to be on our return to the Isthmian League but it was a solid effort from Jude Macdonald’s squad in his 100th game in charge. Some promising spells throughout the game which we can look to build on. Onto The FA Cup next weekend away at Burgess Hill Town.