Eastbourne Borough return to league action tomorrow when they take on Welling United at J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium.
It’s been an extended break for Mark Beard’s side, who last played 90 minutes in the National League South on November 28 after the abandonment of their last league game against Taunton.
And against former boss Danny Bloor, the Sports will be hoping for some festive cheer in their last away game before Christmas.
Last time out
It’s felt like forever since the Sports’ last league action. Mark Beard’s side did see off Wick in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup on December 5th – but you have to go back a further week for their last full game of National League South football.
That’s because the fog put pay to their clash with Taunton Town a fortnight ago – with the visitors leading 2-1 at the break before the abandonment.
Despite the scoreline, the Sports would have been disappointed with the early abandonment having dominated the latter stages of the first half.
And they continued that form for the first half in their Senior Cup last-16 tie with Wick – with Shiloh Remy and Billy Vigar putting them in control before they went on to win 2-1 at Crabtree Park.
The Opposition
Welling’s manager needs little introduction to the Priory Lane faithful. Danny Bloor spent three and a half years with the Sports and will be looking to get one over his old team – and in doing so lift the Wings out of the bottom four.
The Kent side had won two of their last five league outings, and have also progressed to the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy courtesy of penalty shoot-out wins over both Taunton Town and then Brackley Town last weekend.
Tristan Abrahams cancelled out Dominic McHale’s early effort as the tie finished 1-1 after 90 minutes at J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium. And for the second time in as many rounds, the Wings would prevail on penalties – coming out 4-3 winners.
The Sports will know they need to keep Abrahams quiet. Since joining the Wings in September, the forward has scored 11 goals in all competitions – including a hat-trick in an impressive 4-1 win over league leaders Yeovil Town in their last home league game on November 25.
Head-to-Head
Played: 26 – Welling: 11 – Draw: 6 – EBFC: 9
It’s Welling who just about the edge the head-to-head record over the years, with the teams first coming up against each other back in 2004.
The two teams met at the end of September, where the spoils were shared at Priory Lane.
Decarrey Sheriff’s penalty had put Borough in front at the break, but goals from Jephte Tanga and Abrahams turned the game on its head. It was left for Remy to strike four minutes from time to earn the Sports a point in an entertaining game.
How to follow
For those unable to make the match in the north of Kent, you can follow The Sports’ progress across our social media channels, including live match commentary on our X (formerly Twitter) channel – @EBFC_Official.
