‘A good point’ was the verdict from last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Farnborough, and now Eastbourne Borough will be looking to make home advantage count.
Matt Gray welcomes Hornchurch for his first home game in charge of The Sports, and he knows his team will have to continue on their upward curve to get all three points.
Hornchurch – back at Step Two after 11 years away last season – established themselves as tough opponents with a 9th place finish last term, and Daryl McMahon’s side have invested as they look to improve on that this time around.
They have made some astute signings over the course of the summer – Angelo Balanta and Josh Hare join from Boreham Wood having helped them return to The National League, whilst Harry Gibbs joins after leaving Aveley.
Charlie Ruff re-joins the Urchins after Player of the Season campaign at Chelmsford City, whilst the experienced Myles Weston arrives from Bromley.
The Essex side kicked off the new season with an entertaining 3-2 win over Weston-super-Mare at their Hornchurch Stadium home.
The hosts had looked to be in control at the break, with goals from Tom Wraight and Balanta putting them 2-0 up against their Somerset opponents.
However, Luke Skinner and then Sam Pearson struck to draw Weston level on 77 minutes.
But despite being under the cosh, it was Hornchurch who would find the winner – with Nathan Bertram-Cooper heading home with five minutes to go to make it 3-2.
Borough, meanwhile, picked up a deserved point at Saunders Transport Community Stadium.
Freddie Carter headed home after just eight minutes to put The Sports in front, but only for Rakish Bingham to slot home barely ten minutes later.
Both teams had chances to win it in sweltering conditions, but nothing could separate them come the full-time whistle.
Another close game is anticipated between these two – with just three goals scored across both of last season’s fixtures.
After Alfie Pavey’s strike proved to be enough for a 1-0 win at Hornchurch Stadium, the two teams drew 1-1 in December 2024 – Pavey cancelling out Henry Hearn’s opener in the first half.
Every point matters with another tight season expected – and with so many teams looking for promotion, Borough need to be at their best.
