Hampton & Richmond Borough 3 Eastbourne Borough 1
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- Created on Sunday, 06 November 2011 13:40
- Written by Rob Overfield
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Ledgister registers on quality debut
On loan Joel Ledgister announced his arrival at the Beveree with a pair of quality goals to ease the Beavers to their second win of the season, which was well deserved, over a lacklustre Eastbourne Borough that appeared to be suffering a hangover from their Cup exit last week, writes Rob Overfield.Ledgister's inclusion at the expense of injured Patrick Drmola was the only change to the line up that lost narrowly to Welling in the previous game.
The Beavers started the better team and threatened as early as the 7th minute as Dean Inman managed to lift an inviting ball just over the bar, after Sports' keeper Clark Masters had completely missed a Dave Tarpey corner.
A few minutes later, it was Eastbourne who had their first chance as a flicked header was blocked by Craig Ross who had stood up well and punched it clear.
Eastbourne continued to create pressure down the Beavers left, and the defensive duo of Dean Inman and skipper Matt Ruby had to stay focused to prevent the Sports' opening their account, but on 31 minutes an unfortunate error by Ruby let Ben Watson in to score for Eastbourne. A shot from distance came in, and looked to be covered by Craig Ross, however Ruby elected to attempt to clear the ball. It ran to Watson who buried the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards. It was clear to see the captain was angry with himself as the Beavers restarted, but credit to him, he put it aside and refocused on the task in hand.
5 minutes later it was the Beavers who created pressure as a Jamie Simmonds chip in to the box was controlled by Dave Tarpey on the edge of the box. Tarpey spun on a pound coin, hitting a shot that Masters had to get down smartly to divert for a corner.
Just before the break, Craig Ross had to make a smart stop of his own after Hutchinson, the bustling aggressive partner to Watson, had barged his way through the middle of the defence. His shot though, was close enough to Ross for him to save and hold on.
HT HRBFC 0 EBFC 1
Beavers manager Mark Harper elected to address the breathless midfield as he replaced Morgan and Hickey with Josh Huggins and Karle Andrews, as the Eastbourne midfielders’ height had been an issue for the Beavers. Immediately, the Beavers took advantage of the Sports' readjustment as a free kick was won on the left hand side of the box after a couple of minutes of play. Dave Tarpey crossed exquisitely for Joel Ledgister to meet the ball at the far post and divert it solidly past Masters for the equaliser.
10 minutes later the Beavers took the lead. Dave Tarpey latched on a clever ball behind the Sport's defense and lifted it with confidence over the onrushing Masters and into the net. Some weeks ago, that might have cleared the bar, this time the ball was resting in the corner of the net, looking beautiful.
By now, the Beavers were in control, the main threat being the dashing JJ O'Donnell, who has brought quality and artistry to the Beavers left, as well as being solid in defense. He was giving the Sports' right back a torrid time, and on one such run, he beat two defenders and his teasing cross from the bye-line was met by Ledgister, whose shot was desperately blocked on the goal line with Masters beaten.
Eastbourne still felt they had something to say and Charman's long range shot with 20 minutes left kept Craig Ross alert after not having much to do for a while.
Dave Tarpey has looked more confident in recent weeks, running running at defenders and coming in off his right foot . One run in the final 20 minutes saw him fire a shot from the edge of the box that looked like it had 'goal' written on it, until Masters palmed it away for a corner. Two minutes later, the Beavers won a free kick close to the edge of the box, which Tarpey struck with some power, however an Eastbourne head diverted it for another corner.
The game was still in the balance with just 5 minutes left as Eastbourne managed to get a cross into the area. Craig Ross attempted to punch it clear from the threatening attentions of Darren Baker, but the ball ricocheted off Baker, and to Ross's relief and Baker's dismay, the ball landed on the top of the net.
Many of the Beaver's Red Army behind the goal were holding their breath, hoping the Beavers would hold on for the victory, but Joel Ledgister enabled them to breathe again in the 90th minute. He cleverly controlled a loose ball in the box, turned and fired past Masters from about 10 yards to seal the points and conclude a successful debut, the likes of which don't come around too often.
This was a well deserved victory with the half time substitutions of Huggins and Andrews for Morgan and Hickey turning the tide as the midfield then matched up with the visitors better. Although Ledgister will get the credits, it was clearly a team performance. Although mention must be made of JJ O'Donnell as he terrified the visitor's right back all the way through the second half.
Yes this was better, and no first half lapses meant that the team was always in the game. With other results going their way, Thurrock are now squatting in the final place, but it will all be for nothing if the team can't build on this, next week at Dorchester.
HRBFC 3
Ledgister 47, 89
Tarpey 57
Eastbourne Borough 1
Watson 31
Att: 441
Team: Ross, Ferrell, O'Donnell, Inman, Ruby (c), Hickey (Huggins 46), Collier, Morgan (Andrews 46), Ledgister (Moone 90), Simmonds, Tarpey.
Subs not used: Thompson, Sousa Mota.
