They are three leagues higher after all.
Those who made the trip to Priory Lane last night were treated to an excellent game of football on their newly laid 3G pitch, the first competititive match to be played on it, and both teams seemed to enjoy the surface immensely.
Whilst both teams were competing for the inaugural ZBMC Cup, supplied by our club kit sponsor, it would have been hard for any neutral to believe that the home side play in the Conference South, which is three steps higher than the Crows currently play in.
This is not a slight on the stature and ability of the Eastbourne Borough players or squad, but an example of just how well our players and squad played on the night, displaying plenty of technical ability allied to a great work ethic as well, plus a never-say-die attitude throughout the 90 minutes.
The Sports showed their undoubted class throughout the fixture in general and they did suffer an early injury which resulted in Smith leaving the field after 4 minutes and being replaced by Romain. They also had three or four trialists playing for them but in general, they played a high number of first team players throughout the match as most of the trialists came on with 30 minutes or less to go.
In the early exchanges Crows held their own and had some good chances, the interchanges between Muggeridge, Mici and Attwood were pleasing to the eye and to the absolute delight of the travelling away support, it was Attwood who struck the first goal of the game after 9 minutes, finishing off a slick move from back to front with a cool demeanour.
The hosts continued to play the ball about and the triallist number nine striker for the Sports fired narrowly wide, but the Crows defence coped well, superbly marshalled throughout by Tom Boddy and the towering Jack Turner.
Up front Mici, with some strong running, gave the home defenders problems whenever he had the ball and in the end only a few well timed interventions prevented him from adding to the Crows goal tally.
The home continued to probe though and their number ten hit the bar with a thunderbolt shot, cutting in from the right but the rebound was then cleared to safety.
Tom Boddy then blocked another effort with some last ditch defending, deflecting the ball over the bar for a corner, which the Sports number five headed just over when under pressure from Turner.
With half time approaching the hosts finally make the breakthrough, the number nine triallist, who had looked the most likely player from the home side to score a goal, latched onto a long ball, outmuscled Boddy, who slipped under the forwards challenge and the striker finished coolly past debutant Burbridge and into the far corner, for 1-1.
Any goal for you definitely lifts the spirits and the equaliser seemed to have a galvanising effect on the home side and their attacks seemed to have greater purpose about them as half time approached and unfortunately, they made it 2-1 when an unlucky deflection sent the ball directly to the feet of a forward who had the easiest chance to score he'll have all season.
Nick Collick replaced Burbridge in goal for the second half and this was the only change the Crows made during the half time break, testament to how well the starting outfield players had played during the first 45 minutes against their more illustrious opponents.
Sports started where they left off and Collick could only watch as a snap shot cleared his bar and he was then called in to action soon after, saving well low down.
However, the Crows gradually got themselves back in to game and a good Crows move involving Muggeridge, Mici and Shea ends with the latter shooting wide from a good position and only a few minutes later Carey fired over, demonstrating that the Crows still had intentions to get back in the game.
On the hour mark the Sports manager, Widdrington, brings on three subs 14, 16 and 20 in an effort to get a firm grip on the game and at the same time Lee Carey, who had taken a knock, was replacement Ryan Waterman.
Another superb move sees Muggeridge receive a ball wide on the left and his hard low drive is well held by the home 'keeper. Then it was Collick's turn to do well, makeing a close range save when the hosts threatened.
Sam Carrington then came on for Mici who had been excellent throughout and then a further chance came and went for the Crows, as Shea got to the by-line on the right, unfortunately, when the ball was cut-back, it evaded all of the Crows inside the box and the chance went begging.
Collick had to make a great save as the home side sought to make the game safe and the rebound was deflected over the bar for a corner.
The Crows then made further substitutions, Ross Treleaven and Steve Smith came on for Shea and Crabb, then shortly afterwards Henry Muggeridge was replaced by Wayne Clarke, who was back on familiar territory.
With time running out, Crows were still looking for an equaliser and Treleaven with surely the ball of the game, arcs a cross into the area and onto Carrington's head, the downward contact was good but the header was saved at the second attempt by the home side's substitute 'keeper.
With time running out Callum Ridley then tried a long range drive but it went just over and soon after Tom Boddy was replaced by John Sebbar.
In added time the was more excitement, Steve Smith shot from distance but it went just wide and with seconds to go, Crows had a corner which fell to Attwood who swivelled and shot but the keeper blocked with his body and the ball was eventually cleared.
Fine performance by the Crows against a quality side, the team was warmly applauded by both sets of supporters upon leaving the field of play.