Tough game throughout.
The Crows, who had seven players unavailable through injury, suspension and ineligibility, had to fight and compete for the whole 90+ minutes against a very determined and resolute Eastbourne United side in this Buildbase FA Vase 2nd Round tie at a rather cold and wet Oval ground.
With the Crows having to rejig their side because of the absentees we were never going to see them at their very best in this game but the supporters still travelled down to Eastbourne in a confident mood knowing that with 14 straight wins under their belt, the squad had the talent and ability to overcome most adversity.
The home side have had a good run of wins themselves, 10 on the trot, however, their last three games had all been lost to Broadbridge Heath, Shoreham FC and last Tuesday evening to Horsham YMCA in the Sussex Parafix Senior Cup.
That defeat at Gorings Mead led to their manager, Tobi Hutchinson, apologising to the committee and supporters for the overall performance his team put in on the night. Horsham YMCA won the game 4-0 and all the goals were scored in the last 15 minutes or so.
Therefore, the Crows knew that the home side had something to prove to their own fans and were never going to roll over and surrender the tie without a fight and they certainly put in a tremendous effort throughout the game.
Bearing in mind the rain that had fallen during the night, the morning of the match and during the whole game, the pitch was better than I thought it would be but is was rather wet and retaining ones balance was not always easy but it's the same for both teams.
The game started very scrappy and chances were few and far between, too many free kicks interrupted the play of both sides and the ball didn't always go through midfield but over it, meaning that both defences were able to keep the respective attacks at arms length from their goalkeeper.
The first real effort in anger didn't arrive until the 19th minute, Baitup firing high and wide and then Appiah had a go in the 21st minute, his effort saved by Hawkins in the United goal, low down by his right hand post.
Captain Muggeridge then had a couple of efforts over the next 10 minutes, one high and wide, the other blocked by a defender but for some reason only known to the referee, he awarded a goal kick much to the astonishment of all associated with Crowborough Athletic.
The Crows probably feel they should've gone 1-0 up in the 33rd minute, Carrington had a great shot saved by Hawkins but as he couldn't hold the shot, it rolled to the feet of Attwood some 10 yards out who then found Carrington in return, this time his shot just went fractionally wide of the upright and out for a goal kick.
Both sides had the ball in the opposition net during the first half, Baitup and Shea having efforts ruled out for being in an offside position so it remained 0-0 as the protagonists on the pitch were thinking about getting off the pitch to get a drink and some warmth into their legs.
Just as the half time whistle was about to blow though, Hollobone tried a shot from the edge of the area which may have been going over but it would have been a close call, so the save had to be made by Ellis and his outstretched arm deflected the ball over the cross bar and out for a corner.
The second half was more of a footballing affair with both sides trying to keep the ball on the ground more than they did in the first but still chances were at a premium as defences rained supreme as they did for most of the match.
Both sides again had a goal disallowed for offside in the half, not often in a game do you have four efforts ruled out but I was sitting on the half way line so there's no way I can comment on the validity of each decision, except to say, neither team protested too much which makes it seem likely each was correct and therefore, it remained 0-0.
The Crows looked the more likely team to score from open play and in the 68th minute perhaps they should've done, Attwood using his pace escaped the clutches of the United centre halves but his effort from the edge of the area just missed the post and went out for a goal kick.
In the 71st minute Dallaway went off to be replaced by Hart as the home side looked to liven up their forward line options as time slowly ticked away.
Camara picked up a yellow card for a tackle on Appiah in the 72nd minute and a minute later, Carrington who had worked his socks off was replaced by Scott Treleaven, playing his first game of the season due to work commitments.
This substitution proved critical in the end as Treleaven was able to break free down the United left hand side in the 86th minute and his low, hard driven ball in to the area was turned in to his own net by Featherstone from inside the six yard box, under pressure from Muggeridge, much to the delight of the Crow supporters.
Only one minute later Appiah was booked for a foul and then Crabb tried an audacious lob from the half way line which was on target and did have Hawkins back peddling to catch the ball before it went in the net.
New signing Tom Vickers then replaced Appiah in stoppage time as he had an injury but the Crows were able to run down the clock and the game finished with the Crows going through with a 1-0 win.
Ross Morley, who played his first game for the Crows in this match, had a very good game throughout in midfield and there were many who deserved praise for the performance overall, however, Muggeridge was awarded the Man of the Match for his all action performance and the drive he gave the team to get the result.
Now we wait to see who we'll play in the third round and by lunchtime on Monday 14th November we will have found out hopefully.