Eastbourne Dynamos faced the visit of Athletic in the Second round of the Eastbourne Junior Cup this weekend. With the referee pulling out during the week, and a replacement hard to come by, temp manager Glenn Taylor was forced to referee this game.

Athletico started off with only 10 men, but had another player on the way and he eventually arrived to give the visitors the full 11.

The first half was rather a scrappy affair, with neither team really creating anything. Dynamos was forced to defend more, but did so bravely, but failed to keep the ball once winning it back, forcing more pressure on themselves.

Martin Bell in the Dynamos goal was forced into a few saves, while his opposing number remain pretty much a spectator during the first half. Athletico did have the ball in the back of the net, but Eastbourne were pleased to see the flag go off for offside, which was the right decision and the goal was disallowed.

Although the home side had defended and battled well, they were not keeping the ball and making it difficult for themselves. The second half saw Dynamos fly out the traps and could have been ahead, after finally testing the keeper. Jamie Drummond went close first as Dynamos attacked, and Drummond's shot from the right flew just wide.

Dean Pugh then had his half volley tipped over by the keeper when it looked like it might just dip under the bar.

Eastbourne were still defending well, but the visitors then found themselves ahead when their midfielder's low shot from the edge of the area went through a crowd of players before finding its way into the bottom right hand corner.

The home side continue to push forward with more purpose than the first half, and sensed they could get a goal. Neil Taylor nearly waltzed his way through defenders in the Athletico area, but he was eventually dispossessed and Athletico cleared.

Eastbourne then found the goal they were looking for. Simon Burke's infield cross found Neil Taylor who controlled with his back to goal, he then stepped aside as Dean Pugh rifled in a shot from outside the area that found the back of the net.

With the game wearing on, there was a sense that the next goal was crucial. Shame that it went Athletico's way. Eastbourne was forced to defend deep, and the Athletico player managed to avoid the harmless challenges of two Eastbourne players before his cross was met unmarked at the back post to be headed in by the Athletico midfielder.

Athletico looked to have scored again but for a brilliant goal line clearance from Stephen Fletcher, when the ball ran across the area, the Athletico player was first to the ball, and although his shot was on target and had beaten Bell, Fletcher was on hand to some how clear the ball high and wide of the goal.

As Dynamos pushed for an equaliser to send the game into extra time, Athletico looked to score on the break and catch Dynamos outnumbered, some brilliant defender and some good saves by Bell made sure that Athletico did not increase the lead. Athletico did finally manage to kill the game off with a third. They broke down the right and although the initial effort was saved, an Athletico player was first to the ball and managed to put the ball past the keeper and a crowd of defenders on the line.

Dynamos are now out of both Eastbourne Cups at the second round. Eastbourne now have the league and league cup to worry about.