Eastbourne Dynamos had a chance to make it a brilliant weekend by collecting another three points against Hastings Rangers to make it a total of nine for the weekend. The last time Dynamos visited the Bulverhythe the game finished 4-4 against Beulah Baptists. Hastings seemed fresh after not having a game on Saturday, while Dynamos took a while to get into the game. The first half saw Hastings dominate proceedings and Eastbourne struggled to get out their half of the pitch. Mark Likeman was using his strength upfront instead of in defence for this game, but Eastbourne were sloppy with the ball and gave it away far too much at times. Dynamos were reduced to counter attacks to threaten the Hastings goal. Likeman had a chance to put Eastbourne in the lead when the visitors took a quick free kick and Likeman slid in to knock the ball over the keeper and into the net, only for it then to be disallowed for offside. Before Dynamos had another chance to attack, they quickly found themselves 2-0 in quick secession. Rangers first goal came after some neat play had Eastbourne chasing shadows and they worked the ball across the goal before their player slotted the ball past Martin Bell. Bell was again beaten when Eastbourne had a free kick just inside their own half, but the kick was low and didn't beat the first Rangers player, which allowed them to break with numbers. Eastbourne defenders struggled to get back but Hastings made their chance count and doubled their lead. Dynamos gave themselves a fighting chance and prevented the home team running away with the game. Likeman battled well in the box after picking up Jeff Ferguson's free kick at the back post, Likeman squared the ball across the six-yard box for Neil Taylor to tap into the net for his twentieth goal of the season. Before Eastbourne had chance to get an equaliser Hastings restored their two-goal advantage. The passed their way down the right and a low shot from the right beat Bell who only managed to knock the ball into the roof of the Eastbourne net. Before the half time break, Eastbourne reduced the deficit. Taylor worked his way past a defender on the left before crossing, Ferguson wasted little time in blasting the ball first time into the far corner at the back post to make the score 3-2. The second half saw the visitors have more of the possession, and Eastbourne soon found themselves level after Jeff Ferguson's cross from the right was not dealt with by the defender and was robbed of the ball by Pugh who then fired past the keeper and into the roof of the net. Tempers flared after what looked like a legitimate goal by Taylor was ruled out for offside as the Rangers players stood still. After the referee consulted the linesman, he awarded a free kick to the home side, and Rangers quickly switched their linesman. Eastbourne did finally find themselves in front for the first time in the game when Likeman powerfully headed in a corner from the right. As Eastbourne pushed to hammer home the win, they conceded an equaliser to let the lead slip. Dynamos tried to clear the ball but eventually got the ball into the area, the ball bounced over the defence and was blasted in at the back post by the Hastings player. Dynamos then found themselves behind when the ball got loose in the area and as three players dived in for the ball at the back post, the Rangers player scooped the ball over Bell and into the net after he had made the initial save. Hastings then extended their lead with only a few minutes to go when the Hastings winger shot from the edge of the area, with the keeper beaten the ball cannoned off the post and landed at the feet of the Rangers striker who rifled the ball past Bell. Dynamos still had something to say and set up a frantic final few minutes when they scored again. Pugh latched onto a pass form Dayle Courtier down the left wing and Pugh beat the defender before beating another along the goal line before cutting the ball back for Likeman to rifle in his second of the game. Time ran out for Eastbourne to record a fantastic comeback but will be disappointed to have scored five goals, lead the game and let it slip. |
