Eastbourne Dynamos game against Mayfield survived the wet weather of the night before and Dynamos had a full team to pick from. Mayfield's pitch looked fine from a distance, but the far side was very soft underfoot and the Referee did consider calling the game off. Eastbourne started the game very brightly and the challenges flew in from the first whistle, which was something that was missing in last week's game. Eastbourne could have been in the lead after only a few minutes, Neil Taylor's through ball looked to have opened up the Mayfield defence as Darren Vine raced through on goal, but the Linesman flagged Lloyd Taylor offside who was not interfering with play. Dean Pugh scuffed his shot wide from outside the area of Neil Taylor put him through on goal. The Eastbourne defence was looking solid at the back, while the midfield was battling well and winning the ball in vital places. Dynamos fell behind after they lost the ball in the Mayfield half and the home team broke through the Eastbourne defence. Goalkeeper Martin Bell looked to have closed down the striker but he managed to get the ball up over him and into the net. Eastbourne heads could have dropped, but Dynamos went straight on the attack as Christian Corders long pass found Pugh on the left who managed to beat two defenders before being scythed down just outside the box. Mayfield were always a threat and the game was good end to end stuff. Mayfield's quick striker attacked down Eastbourne's left flank, but was stopped by a brilliant James Dale sliding tackle, winning possession for the visitors and starting another attack. The Mayfield striker struggled for the rest of the game with an injury picked up from this strong but fair challenge. Corder then cleared the ball off the line as Dynamos had to do some last ditch defending. Darren Vine was playing well after missing last week's game. He had a few chances from outside the area, but failed to test the keeper. Pugh then went on another one of his runs, beating his defender before hitting the post. Lloyd and Neil Taylor both missed glorious chances to draw the game level after missing crosses into the box. Dynamos worked the ball well down both wings considering the pitch's boggy conditions. Pugh was then guilty of missing Dynamo's best chance, after beating the keeper to the ball and rounding him, his touch took him away from goal, his shot was some how headed away by the Mayfield defender who appeared from nowhere. The second half became a little scrappy as the pitch's condition became worse. The rain started to fall and the pitch took its toll on both sets of players. Dynamos continued to create chances but again failed to make them count. The Eastbourne defence looked solid and rarely looked troubled. Dynamos became frustrated in the second half as they felt a few decisions didn't go their way. Neil Taylor had a few efforts from outside the area, and Jeff Ferguson nearly got to Pugh's cross at the back post. Dynamos again played some brilliant football, and should really have come away with all three points. Dynamos had far more attempts on goal, but that doesn't count for anything if you don't put the ball in the back of the net. Dynamos will see this as three points dropped after this performance against a Mayfield side now joint top of Division 3. |
