Eastbourne Dynamos played their first ever competitive game at home to Burwash. Dynamos manager Gary Taylor had some selection problems with no fewer than 8 players unavailable. A team photo taken by Smith and Ouzman FC photographer Adrian Yeo was done just before captain Mark Likeman took the warm-up. Burwash looked to have an early game plan of 'their new, test them early', which to be honest, was a sensible idea. The Dynamos managed to play some very neat football in these early periods, but failed to hold the ball in the Burwash half of the pitch. Dynamos had to resort to counter attacks although Burwash never really made anything of their early possession and never forced Dynamo keeper David Moran into any real work. As the half wore on, Dynamos became more stable at the back as everyone settled, and the game became more of a midfield battle, with maybe the Burwash captain showing his experience in that area. Dynamos did manage to force some attempts on goal, but nothing that threatening. Lee Roberts meet a cross from the left at the back post, but his header went just wide. He also had a strong claim for a penalty turned down. The big No. 9 turned his defender before being pulled to the ground before he could have a shot on goal, but the referee ignored the cries from the Dynamo players and the game went on. Liam Brooks nearly put the Dynamos ahead after some neat play with Dean Pugh, but his effort also went wide of the post. Burwash were the ones who went closest to opening the scoring, when their forward hit the ball from just outside the area, only to see it come back off the cross bar with Moran well beaten. Just before the half, the game was stopped after a nasty tackle by the Burwash captain on Dean Pugh. The Burwash player could think himself lucky to walk away without a booking. Dynamos managed to see out the final few minutes of the half with 10 men with the scores still level. When the second half got underway, Pugh did take to the field with the rest of his team, but after a gentle jog down the pitch after the restart, he was clearly finding it hard to move and was replaced by Stephen Fletcher. Eastbourne enjoyed a lot more possession in the second half than they did in the first, and now were creating a lot more chances. The Burwash keeper was finally called into action, and was forced to make a couple of great saves to keep the scores level. Brooks then glanced a header just wide, before Burwash got the opening both teams had been searching for. Their full back pushed forward with the ball down the left flank before sending in a what looked at first to be a teasing cross, only for it to sail goal wards, dip under the bar and finish in the back of the net. Eastbourne Dynamos continued to enjoy more of the possession, but failed to make it count. As the game went on, tiredness started to set in and the equaliser look less likely to come. As the referee blew the final whistle, Dynamos first game ended in defeat, although a draw would probably have been a fairer result. Eastbourne Dynamos can look to next week with hopefully more players being available than there were for this game, although they will have to fight hard for their places because everyone in a Red and Blue shirt work tirelessly and gave it their all and will not want to be replaced by anyone. One bright thing to come from our first ever game was that we were graced with a visit from 'The Barber'. For those of you who don't know of him, he writes an article for The FA's website where he visits various none league games, and he has a very good record of visiting more games than most of us have had hot dinners. To find out more about The Barber, or read his latest article which may include this match, click here. We hope to see him down at Old Town Rec again some day. |
