Matt Gray probably left Farnham Town with more questions than answers after Eastbourne Borough suffered a 3-1 defeat in their opening pre-season fixture.

Will Harley had drawn The Sports level early in the second half after the hosts took an early lead in the first period.

However, it was Farnham who would go on to win the game with two goals in the final fifteen minutes.

Gray opted to give twenty players at least 45 minutes at The Memorial Ground, including a number of trialists, and will look to take the positives from the game having learnt a few lessons in Surrey.

There was a chance for Farnham inside the opening minute when Owen Dean flicked a long ball on into the path of Sam Evans, but Jamie Searle was off his line well to make a good save.

With ten minutes gone, Darryl Sanders played the ball down the right-hand side to Ogo Obi, who in turn found the run of the midfielder inside the area but he could only fire wide of the far post.

For The Sports, Pemi Aderoju went closest after Ola Ademola won the ball in midfield and put the striker through, only to be denied by Zaki Oualah – though the flag went up for offside.

The hosts then made no mistake on 18 minutes. Sanders’ ball forwards found the feet of Evans, who drove at the Borough defence before cutting back onto his right foot and his low drive went in off the inside the post from twelve yards.

With half-time approaching, Obi then had space on the left-hand side after he was found by Evans, but Searle was able to push his effort searching the top corner away from goal.

Aderoju was Borough’s most attacking threat – Jayden Davis did well to get the ball in from the left and pick out the forward, but his header off balance went over.

The Peterborough United-loanee was then found by Joey Phuthi, who went on a great run down the right before chipping the ball in – but Aderoju’s audacious overhead kick went over.

The Sports made nine changes at the interval – and got back on level terms on 57 minutes. Dan Quick’s ball down the right played in George Alexander, who shrugged off a defender before he cut the ball across to Harley, who finished first-time.

Farnham, though, went close to going back in front when Kai Tanner was found by Obi, but the Trialist goalkeeper made a solid stop.

However, with 75 minutes gone, the hosts restored their advantage. Sanders lined up a free-kick 20 yards out and his strike went over the wall and dipped underneath the crossbar.

Borough looked for a response. Kai Innocent did well to drive across the pitch before finding Trialist on the right, but his low ball across was gathered by Oualah.

With time ticking down, Farnham sealed victory. Adam Liddle pressed high and robbed possession from a Borough defender to set Tanner away, and he squared the ball to Obi who tapped in.

A full week on the training pitch for the Sports this week, before we go again away at Dartford next Saturday (July 19) in our second pre-season fixture.