Eastbourne Borough kicked off 2025 with a closely fought draw with Sussex rivals Worthing in the National League South.

Nothing could separate the teams at Sussex Transport Community Stadium, with both teams having chances to win the game throughout in a good advert for the league despite torrid conditions.

It’s now over 300 minutes since the Sports last conceded, however, with a third clean sheet in a row helping them get off the mark on the first day of the New Year.

The Sports made three changes to the line-up that started against Salisbury on Boxing Day. Dan Quick and David Sesay came in, with Yahaya Bamba also returning to the starting eleven whilst George Alexander dropped to the bench and Camron Gbadebo missed out through suspension.

It was Borough who created the better chances in the first half. After seven minutes, Pierce Bird fired a low ball across from the left that just evaded Bamba at the far post, before they went even closer moments later.

Michael Klass lined up an ambitious 35-yard free-kick but his strike swerved and dipped, with Chris Haigh doing well to tip the ball onto the bar. Alfie Pavey reacted first to the loose ball, but the Worthing keeper got up quickly to make a smart save.

Kai Innocent’s cross then wasn’t dealt with by Joe Partington, with Courtney Clarke getting on the loose ball but Haigh was off his line well to save at the feet of the playmaker.

As the half wore on, Worthing would look to get on the front foot. Kane Wills couldn’t get a shot away against his former club after being teed up by Danny Cashman, before Jack Spong’s low drive from outside the area was well held by the diving Joe Wright on the half hour mark.

Klass then teed up Pavey from a free-kick on the edge of the area, but Haigh parried the ball away before Borough survived a scare when a heavy touch from Wright allowed Nick Wheeler – another former Sports player – the chance to score, but the keeper recovered well and saved at the winger’s feet.

The Sports continued to test Haigh, and went close again with the last action of the half as Klass fired in a low free-kick through a crowded area, but the home keeper was alert to turn the ball away.

Worthing started the second period on the front foot, with Mo Faal firing over the near post after good work from Cashman.

Joe Cook then drove forwards from the back, linked up with Spong, but had a tame effort go straight at Wright.

Moussa Diarra, Alexander, Jack Clarke and Jayden Davis all came on before the 70-minute mark, but it was the hosts who almost got the breakthrough with 74 minutes gone.

Wheeler’s low ball in from the left found the run of Joel Colbran, but Wright reacted well to turn the full-back’s first time effort wide.

Partington then had a glancing header go just over after meeting Spong’s free-kick in from the right, before Borough had half a chance to go in front themselves with seven minutes to go.

Bird swung in a free-kick from the left and picked out the run of Diarra at the far post. The substitute bundled the ball across the six yard box but just when it looked set to go into the net, Sam Beard intervened to clear the danger.

A point on the board to start the New Year, and Borough will be looking to push on and turn draws into wins in the weeks ahead.