The battle for National League South survival resumes this afternoon when Eastbourne Borough welcome Chippenham Town to Priory Lane.

A run of just one defeat in the last eight games has seen The Sports move out of the bottom four, but they know they will need positive results to stay out of it.

The Sports sit joint eighth in the form guide over the last five and ten games, but Adam Murray’s side know they need more from their last three games to maintain their step two status.

Murray has spoken about how his team need to be up for the fight, and how they need to play with purpose. And with the stage set in their final home game of the campaign, what better way to give the Sports fans something to cheer about.

The Sports have only lost twice at home since the end of January – beaten by Chelmsford City before the Good Friday game with Maidstone (let’s not go into that one for fears of PTSD!)

That form, coupled with good performances on the road, give Borough a big chance of safety in a season of two halves.

The season started so well with a 1-0 win over Hampton before a dogged draw with Farnborough, but the Sports gradually dropped down the league table, and were in the bottom four from the start of December until the 2-0 win at Dartford lifted them out the danger zone.

Borough fans have had to be patient for Murray to get his message across to a young group of players, all of whom will be better for this experience.

And in recent weeks supporters have been rewarded for their patience – with three clean sheets in the last three games showing how far the team have come just defensively alone. They are more organised, and now it’s down to get it right at the other end of the pitch.

Truro City set up shop on Wednesday night and never looked like leaving their own half, and the Sports grew frustrated as a result. The draw does a lot more for the hosts then it did for the Sports, who now have to rely on results going their way elsewhere if they are to stay out of the bottom four come kick off today.

Pierce Bird serves the final match of his three-game ban following his red card on Good Friday this afternoon, meaning he will be back available for Tuesday night’s trip to Weston-super-Mare, whilst it’s a case of wait and see on how others recover from Wednesday night’s trip to Meadow Park.

The Opposition

Chippenham Town make the journey to the Sussex coast today on the back of playing four games in the last week.

That includes Thursday night, when they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Farnborough.

The Bluebirds have enjoyed another solid campaign in the National League South, and will be looking to finish as high up the table as possible.

Gary Horgan’s second full season at Hardenhuish Park has been one of promise, and they look set to improve on last season’s 13th place finish.

Head-to-Head

Games between the two have been closely fought since the first meeting in 2017, and it’s Borough who have the edge on the overall head-to-head.

The Sports have five wins from the ten previous meetings, with three draws and two wins for Chippenham.

But it’s the Bluebirds who are out looking to complete a league double this afternoon after a 4-2 win back in November at Hardenhuish Park.

Fletcher Holman’s strike put Borough ahead in Wiltshire, but a penalty from Matt McClure coupled with a brace from Caine Bradbury put the hosts 3-1 to the good. Leone Gravata gave the Sports hope, but Craig Fasanmade’s effort on the counter attack late on gave the hosts all three points.

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