Eastbourne (A) Match Preview

Chelmsford City turn their attentions back to the Vanarama National League South as they make the trip down to the South Coast to take on Eastbourne Borough on Saturday, 4th March, 3pm kickoff.

The opposition

Eastbourne Borough sit in 10th place after 35 games in the National League South this season. They have won 16, drawn 3 and lost 16, scoring 57 goals and conceding 54 in the league campaign so far which all adds up to 51 league points so far. After an inconsistent season, Eastbourne sit on the edges of a playoff spot and have managed to keep themselves in a decent league position despite a recent spate of injuries.

In terms of players, Eastbourne have extremely experienced former Chelmsford, Maidstone and Tonbridge keeper Lee Worgan, now 39, in goal who has appeared in 33 league games out of 35 so far. Worgan played for City in the Covid disrupted 2020-21 season. In defence they have fomer QPR full-back Kai Innocent and ex Chesterfield and Barrow player Bradley Barry, as well as former Colchester United right-back Miquel Scarlett. In midfield they have a number of promising youngsters such as Leone Gravata, Shiloh Remy as well as Alfie Bendle on loan from Wimbledon and Florian Kastrati on loan from Crawley. After losing prolific Colchester United loanee Jake Hutchinson in January, they brought in youngster Luke Pearce on loan from Southampton up front, who has 3 goals in 6 league games, including a brace as they came from behind to beat Taunton on Tuesday. They also have the more experienced former St Albans striker Charlie Walker also ex Southend, Billericay and Dartford man Norman Wabo.

Eastbourne’s boss is the former Worthing and Eastbourne United manager Danny Bloor who took over from Lee Bradbury in November 2019. Bloor led his side to a 6th place finish last year and a playoff spot but they lost 2-0 at Oxford in the 1st playoff round.

Previous Meetings

City, in their last meeting with the Borough, had their biggest league win under Robbie Simpson, a 5-0 victory in late October. Before that City hadn’t beaten Easbourne in their last 4 meetings with the Borough winning both encounters last season by the odd goal. City also helped out Eastbourne by scoring an own goal in both meetings against them. The last victory over Eastbourne away from home, was a 4-0 trouncing, back in September 2019, a game where City could only name 3 subs due to illness and injuries. However Whelpdale, Jeffers (pen) and two from Sam Higgins helped City to victory. Current Clarets boss Robbie Simpson had to play as an emergency central defender that day.

Team News

Ody Alfa and Harry Lodovica have injuries that leave them doubtful for this game. Dave Winfield could play in a mask due to a facial injury he picked up against Tonbridge. Reece Grant completes a 3 game ban but he also went off injured in the Essex Senior Cup semi-final so he may miss further matches. Kai Yearn has been recalled from his loan by Cambridge United.

Similarly for Eastbourne they have a number of injuries, according to their twitter post they had the following unvailable for Tuesday’s win at Taunton: Wynter (awaiting op) Whelpdale (knee) Luer (ankle ) Hammond (tendinitis) Perez ( recovering from op) Bartley ( groin) Bull (unavailable). In the game on Tuesday centre-back Mitch Dickenson went off with suspended broken ribs.

Ticket News

Tickets are available on line at a reduced price to buy here

Adults – £13

Concession – £9 (Concessions Include over 65’s, armed forces and emergency services. Please bring ID on present at the gate on arrival)

Legends Lounge – £25 (Watch the game in the comfort of The Legends Lounge, with pay bar facility)

On the gate prices to follow although Under 16s are free.

How to get there