MATCH REPORT: Eastbourne Borough 2 – 2 Chippenham Town – Sat 16th Oct 2021

After several below par performances the Bluebirds rewarded their travelling fans with a much improved and spirited display and after going behind and reduced to ten men fought back to lead 2-1 only to be denied the three points by a last minute penalty.

After several below par performances the Bluebirds rewarded their travelling fans with a much improved and spirited display and after going behind and reduced to ten men fought back to lead 2-1 only to be denied the three points by a last minute penalty.

The Bluebirds had the first chance when on loan Swindon Town midfielder Ricky Aqiuar saw his shot saved by Lee Worgan. 

Eastbourne opened the scoring with a counter attack on six minutes as James Ferry picked out Charlie Walker who headed past Will Henry.

Danny Greenslade then made a great interception to deny Borough a second goal.

On the quarter hour mark Bluebird skipper Kieran Parselle received a straight red for pulling back Walker.

The resulting free kick from James Hammomd went over the wall but was superbly saved by Henry. Chippenham then made a tactical substitution with Spencer Hamilton replacing Alefe Santos.

The Sussex side then conceded a penalty as a long ball from Greenslade on seventeen minutes was flicked on by Marlon Jackson and Jack Currie brought down Aquiar, with Harvey Bunker converting the resulting spot kick. 

Midway through the half Aquiar saw another effort saved and the Swindon youngster saw another effort blocked as the half drew to a close.

After the break the first chance fell to the hosts with Chris Whelpdale firing wide.

At the other end good work between Jackson and Aquiar saw the latter’s shot saved by Worgan.

On fifty six minutes Jackson found Luke Russe but his fierce drive went narrowly wide. 

Just before the hour mark Borough substitute Charley Kendall saw his effort scrambled clear by a combination of Henry and Hamilton, Henry then denied Kendall for a second time.

On sixty five minutes the Bluebirds were awarded a second penalty  after Jackson’s shot was adjudged to be handled by Mitchell Dickenson and Bunker again beat Worgan from the spot kick. 

Ferry then found the lively Kendall who fired just past a post. 

On seventy eight minutes Greenslade again did well to deflect an effort from Kendall. Four minutes later Henry saved Dominic Hutchinson’s near post effort.

On eighty six minutes Walker’s ball over the top again found the impressive Kendall but Henry was again equal to his shot. In the ninetieth minute Eastbourne were awarded a penalty as substitute Josh Oyinson was fouled in the area by Hamilton and he converted the ensuing spot kick himself.

Chippenham: Will Henry, Kieran Parselle, Will Richards,  Danny Greenslade, Alefe Santos (Spencer Hamilton 17), Luke Russe, Ricky Aquiar, Harvey Bunker, Joe Hanks, Marlon Jackson (Callum Gunner 78),   Adam Mann (Ross Stearn 73) subs not used: Michael Elechi, Dan Griffiths

Eastbourne: Lee Worgan, Jake Elliott, Jack Currie, James Ferry, Mitchell Dickenson, James Hammond (Charlie Towning 22), Greg Luer, Charlie Walker, Chris Whelpdale (Charley Kendall 57), James Beresford (Josh Oyinson 78), Dominic Hutchinson subs not used: Paul Rollinson,  Finlay Holter

Ref: Tom Danaher

Match Report by Wil Hulbert