Eastbourne Borough’s battle for survival resumes tonight against Havant & Waterlooville.

In what can be really billed as a ‘six-pointer’, both sides find themselves in need of three points in the battle to avoid relegation from the National League South.

The Sports will be looking to bounce back after they were made to pay for missed chances against Chelmsford City on Saturday, whilst Havant themselves fell to a narrow defeat at Champions-elect Yeovil Town.

Last time out

Adam Murray’s side were given a lesson in clinical finishing as third-place Chelmsford left Priory Lane with all three points on Saturday.

Jake Hutchinson had a great chance go to waste early on, whilst Siya Ligendza was also denied by City keeper Henry Gray.

Both Ligendza and Hutchinson then had further chances before half-time but couldn’t make them count before a clinical Chelmsford side made them rue those misses in the second half.

And Borough’s misery was compounded late on when the returning Alex Finney was shown a harsh red card. The centre back is available for tonight’s game, with his suspension kicking in from next weekend’s trip to Weston-super-Mare.

The Opposition

Under the management trio of Cliff De Gordon, Ross Betteridge and Richard Pope, Havant & Waterlooville come into tonight’s game having claimed just five points on the road all season.

The Hawks come into the game three points below the Sports, sitting second from bottom in the league standings – three points ahead of Dover Athletic having played a game less.

The battle for survival is poised to heat up as we enter the home straight. Taunton Town, Truro and even Dartford will be looking over their shoulder as teams fight for their National League South status.

Like The Sports, Havant come into the game on the back of one win in their last five matches – that coming courtesy of a 2-1 win over Chelmsford City at Westleigh Park.

But they did start 2024 in good form – with back-to-back wins over Farnborough (4-2) and FA Cup giantkillers Maidstone United (2-1).

Three out of their last four away losses have only been 1-0 – at Truro, Chippenham and then Yeovil on Saturday.

Head-to-Head

Priory Lane has been a happy hunting ground for Havant in recent years – with the Hawks winning six of their last seven trips to East Sussex. 

That includes last season when three goals in eight first half minutes sealed all three points. Paul Rooney, Jason Prior and Charlie Ruff got the goals as they won 3-1 on New Year’s Day.

In fact, the Sports have only won one previous game at Priory Lane in their 12 meetings – that came in 2011 when Steve Brinkhurst scored twice in a 2-1 win for The Sports.

But it was advantage Eastbourne when the two teams met in September – with Decarrey Sheriff’s late strike giving them a 2-1 win. Borough fans will be hoping for a repeat result tonight.

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