Boosted by their fine midweek victory, the Peacocks go in search of points on the road when they make their first ever visit to Eastbourne Borough in the Vanarama National League South tomorrow (4th February), ko 3.00pm.
Tuesday’s win over high-flying Havant & Waterlooville was Town’s first in four games and provided a real shot in the arm with such a heavy programme of matches ahead over the next three months. Although the three points gained saw the Peacocks remain in 18th spot, thy closed the gap on the sides above them and are now only one point adrift of Slough in 17th place with six games in hand.
The focus now turns to tomorrow’s trip to East Sussex with Head of Football Rob Dray remaining guarded. “After Tuesday’s superb win we can’t get carried away, especially in this unrelenting division. There is no room for error, and we will need to show all of the spirit and desire from Tuesday if we hope to get a good result tomorrow.”
Tomorrow’s opponents Eastbourne are knocking on the play-off door, currently lying in 8th position, and are well-established at this level, having been members of the National League since 2004, predominantly in the South division apart from three years at national level from 2008 onwards. They have also proved their capabilities in December with consecutive away wins at leaders Ebbsfleet and Havant & Waterlooville before three successive defeats made it a poor start to 2023. However two wins on the bounce against Hungerford and Dulwich Hamlet have seen them recover to remain in contention near the top end of the table. Borough have also recently strengthened with the acquisition of young striker Luke Pearce from Southampton and loan signing Ryan Bartley from Crystal Palace to add to their experienced squad.
The Town squad will include both new signing Cameron Evans whose international clearance has been granted, and fellow defender Ollie Tomlinson after his loan from Torquay United was processed. Centre half Jake Wannell meanwhile serves the final game of his three match ban. The Town boss added:” It’s another long trip and another game on a 3G pitch, and with seven matches to play in February we will certainly shake things up in terms of selection. It’s great that Cam and Ollie are now available to give us extra options as the squad as a whole is going to be vitally important over the coming weeks.”
Traveller Info
Ground: SO Legal Community Stadium, Priory Lane, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 7QH
Ground to Ground: 177.9 miles (via A303/M27/A27)
Directions: From the direction of Brighton on the A27 take the A22 towards Stone Cross and Westham at the Golden Jubilee Roundabout. At the next roundabout take the first exit again towards Stone Cross and Westham (B2447). Continue towards Stone Cross village until you come to a crossroads, with a church on your left and the Red Lion pub on the. Turn right just past the pub onto the B2104 Friday Street. At the end of Friday Street, turn left at the double mini-roundabout into Hide Hollow (B2191). After passing Eastbourne Crematorium on your right, turn right at the roundabout into Priory Road. The entrance to the ground is about 200 yards down the road on the left. There is a good-sized car park at the ground which holds 400 cars.
Admission: Tickets can be purchased online in advance HERE priced £13 Adults, £9 Concessions, £5 Students
At Turnstile: Adults £15, Concessions £10 (Over 65’s, NHS, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Registered Disabled), Students £5, Under 16’s Free
Last meeting: this will be the first ever meeting between the sides.