Eastbourne Borough kicked off the new Enterprise National League South season with a point away at Farnborough.
Freddie Carter’s early header gave Matt Gray’s side the perfect start at Saunders Transport Community Stadium.
However, Rakish Bingham slotted home in the first half to draw the hosts level. Both teams then hit the woodwork in search of a winner, but the points were ultimately shared on the opening day.
After a summer of change on the pitch, seven of Borough’s starting eleven were making their league debuts – with only Isaac Pitblado, Camron Gbadebo, George Alexander and Carter surviving from last year’s squad.
After a cagey first few minutes, it was the Sports who had the first effort of the game. Jes Uchegbulam’s free-kick was headed away as far as Victor Akinwale, but the Crystal Palace loanee saw his first time strike deflected and then tipped around the post by Jack Turner.
However, from the resulting corner Borough were in front. Uchegbulam lifted the ball in from the left and after the hosts failed to clear, Carter was in the right place to power a header home from close range at the far post.
The visitors stayed on the front foot – with Pemi Aderoju and Akinwale linking up well on the right – before they had a chance to double their lead on 12 minutes. A corner was cleared out to Craig Eastmond, who lobbed the ball back into the area. It dropped to Carter, who’s great first touch gave Gbadebo a sight of goal – but Turner saved well with his foot to deny him.
Carter’s long throw was then headed away as far as Akinwale, but Kai Jennings charged down his effort.
However, the hosts drew level on 17 minutes. Billy Clifford had space in midfield and threaded a ball through to Bingham, who found himself through on goal and slotted past Jamie Searle.
The Sports keeper was then at his best to keep his side on level terms. Louis Lomas kept a cross alive at the far post, and pulled the ball back to Dom Poleon – who saw his effort turned onto the bar by the outstretched Searle.
It was time for the hosts to turn the screw. The Sports survived a scramble when Poleon was first denied by Searle, before Bingham had an effort blocked and Mason Bloomfield saw his follow-up blocked on the line by Gbadebo on the half hour mark.
Poleon then fired wide when looking for the far corner, before Jennings lined up a shot 25 yards out – only to be denied by the crossbar just before the break as the teams stayed on level terms.
The Sports looked to get back on the front foot at the start of the second half, with Uchegbulam finding Pitblado down the left – but his low ball in just about evaded Akinwale at the far post.
Mo Sagaf came on for his debut on the hour mark, and he almost made the dream impact. The midfielder weaved his way into space on the edge of the area – but his shot was blocked. The ball eventually broke to Harvey Lintott, who had a go himself only to see the ball come back off the foot of the post with Turner beaten.
George Alexander then did well to make room down the right, and while his ball across looking for Aderoju who would have had a tap in was blocked, the ball fell to Akinwale – but he fired over.
The game slowed down in the latter stages, with fewer chances for either side. Lomas fired into the side netting for the hosts, whilst substitute Joey Phuthi struck just over after looking to drive into the area late on.
Farnborough looked to get bodies forward late on, but Borough defended well to ensure they left Hampshire with a point.