Eastbourne Borough kicked off 2025 at The ReachTV Stadium with all three points against St. Albans City.

Courtney Clarke scored his first goal for the club to give Adam Murray’s side a 1-0 win in the National League South.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for The Sports, who weren’t at their best but nonetheless secured a fourth clean sheet in a row on their way to moving up to fourth in the table.

Celebrating one year since his appointment, Murray made two changes from the New Year’s Day stalemate at Worthing, with Camron Gbadebo coming back in after suspension whilst Jack Clarke made his first start of the season after recovering from an ACL injury in the summer. Freddie Carter also returned to the subs bench after also coming back from a spell out injured.

It was a cagey start at The ReachTV Stadium, but it was Borough who broke the deadlock to end a mini goal drought after just nine minutes.

Alfie Pavey found Yahaya Bamba on the right hand side and he showed great skill to beat Alfie Payne before cutting the ball back to Courtney Clarke, who ten yards out fired a low first time shot into the far bottom corner.

It was Clarke’s first goal since joining the Sports in August, and it was greeted with cheers as Borough broke their duck after back-to-back goalless draws.

The Sports weren’t at their fluid best, and were under the cosh at times as St Albans looked to get back on level terms.

Gbadebo did well to block Ken Charles’ effort as he looked to break through on goal, before Borough showed glimpses of their attacking threat – with Jack James in the right place at the right time to head Clarke’s ball away with George Alexander waiting for a tap in.

Courtney Clarke then did well again on the right hand side to get the cross in after twisting and turning past his marker, but neither Pavey or Alexander could get on the end of it in the middle.

St Albans went close to drawing level shortly after half-time, though. Zane Banton slipped the ball in behind to Charles, who had space inside the area but saw his effort come back off the post.

Borough then had a penalty appeal waved away as Kai Innocent was pushed over inside the area, before the wing-back cut inside from the left, but on his weaker right foot saw his low effort saved by Michael Johnson from the edge of the area.

St Albans keeper Johnson was then shown yellow after a foul on substitute Jayden Davis just outside the area, with Pierce Bird lifting in the resulting free-kick to Pavey at the far post, who rose well but his downward header went wide of the goal.

Chances were few and far between in a scrappy game, but it was the visitors who had a big opportunity to draw level with 13 minutes to go. Gio Rasulo lifted in a free-kick from the left and picked out David Longe-King at the far post, who brought the ball down well but from close range he could only fire over.

Despite the growing pressure as time wore on, Borough’s defence stood firm to register a fourth successive clean sheet and seal a big three points.