Eastbourne Dynamos had their last away game of the season against Magham Down. Manager Gary Taylor chose to start with the same eleven that played well against Hastings Rangers on Bank Holiday Monday. Magham Down could have taken an early lead had it not been for a great save by Martin Bell. A high ball in was headed down towards goal just outside the six-yard box by the Magham striker. Martin Bell managed to get down low to his right and palm the ball round the post. That set the tone for most of the first half as Magham had the majority of possession and the better of the chances. Bell continued to make some outstanding saves to keep the scores level, one particular effort being the one on one that looked destined to end with Down taking the lead. The home side eventually took the lead when Dynamos failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to a Magham Down player in the box who managed to slip the ball into the net under the diving keeper. Dynamos were struggling to keep the ball and the home side seemed to be winning the midfield battle. A couple more brilliant saves from Bell stopped Down from running away with the game. But Bell was beaten again when Magham's midfielder managed to avoid three challenges before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Eastbourne had a few chances to get back into the game as they started to put some decent moves together going forward. Mark Likeman had an effort graze the post after it looked to be going in. The visitors were given a lifeline when Neil Taylor continued his good goal scoring form with a super chip. He received the ball at pace on the left side of the are, just outside the six-yard box, he managed to control the ball then delicately chip the ball over the keeper and into the net. Eastbourne seemed to gain confidence from this goal, but the half time whistle came and halted their momentum. The second half became a closer affair than the first. Magham Down had the first real attempts of half when their striker avoided the offside trap, but his effort was well saved by Bell. Magham then came extremely close after smashing the ball against the post before the Eastbourne defence cleared their lines. Darren Vine was then replace by Stephen Fletcher who added an extra bite to the Dynamos attack as he caused the home side all sorts of problems. Down then had their best chance to secure all three points when they were awarded a very dubious penalty after their striker went racing through on goal only for Bell to make another amazing save when he dived at the strikers feet and smothered the ball. The striker went tumbling to the ground and the referee awarded a Penalty amid the Dynamos complaints. Justice prevailed as Bell dived to his left, making another penalty save for the season. Bell has now saved 4 out 5 penalties against him this season. The striker made two more theatrical dives after this, one of which resulted in a free kick just outside the area, which came to nothing. Fletcher was still causing problems for the Magham defence, and had one effort cleared off the line, and another well saved by the keeper. Taylor also sent a header just wide. Dynamos were starting to float in some good crosses from either side, but Eastbourne just couldn't find the equaliser. The best chance for Eastbourne came when Taylor managed to pass three defenders down in the corner of the pitch before cutting the ball back to Likeman whose shot had all the power, but lacking in accuracy is went over the bar from just inside the area. The final whistle went and condemned Eastbourne to another defeat. Dynamos fight back and strong second half was not enough to recover from the slow start to the game. Dynamo now have only two games left in which to secure their Division 3 status for next season. |
