Eastbourne United Association 1 v 3 AFC Uckfield

Tuesday 3rd Match 2020
Peter Bentley League Cup Quarter Final
The Oval, Eastbourne
Admission: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 100 (estimate)

Remarkably, given the seemingly endless wet weather that has been plaguing local football in recent weeks, two sunny days in a row on the south coast meant that I wanted to take advantage of taking in a game this evening. A visit to Hailsham was tempting, but that would only be a Southern Combination League Division One fixture between two mid-table clubs, and I was later relieved not to have chosen that game, as it ended in a goalless draw.

There have been a few tweaks to The Oval since my last visit back in July. Rather bizarrely, the gateman now uses a form of cash register to record admission taken in his hut, and unfortunately Storm Ciara did have an impact a few weeks ago, when the roofs and some of the brickwork were dislodged, and as a temporary fix, scaffolding had been erected around and above what is left of the dugouts to provide cover. The pitch was in relatively good condition considering the recent weather. The 20 page programme was very good, attractively and colourfully laid out, with a good mix of interesting articles to read and the necessary stats and facts.

This cup tie would be between two clubs in the top half of the Premier Division of the Southern Combination League. Eastbourne United were in sixth place, following 12 wins and three draws from their 26 league games, but are 15 points adrift of fifth place. AFC Uckfield were in ninth place, following 11 wins and three draws from their 22 league games - tonight would be Uckfield's first of ten games currently scheduled in March, after playing just two in February, and tonight's game would be their first since 4th February - which co-incidentally was also at The Oval, when the played tenants Little Common. Tonight's fixture would be the fifth time the clubs have met this season. Eastbourne United claimed the league double, winning 1-2 away in August and 3-1 at home in January, while Uckfield triumphed in two cup games, 0-3 at The Oval in the Sussex Senior Cup in November, and 0-1 in the RUR Charity Cup in December, also at The Oval.

On a dry and chilly evening, although with no breeze, Uckfield started on the front foot, creating some good chances in the opening twenty minutes, before taking the lead on 23 minutes. A cross from the left bounced low in the area, the defenders couldn't deal with it, and Jack Samways struck the ball across the keeper and into the net. They doubled their lead three minutes later, again the Eastbourne defence couldn't deal with the ball inside the area, and Callum Smith retrieved the ball near the byline and managed to squeeze it home from a very tight angle. Eastbourne didn't really threaten to get a goal back before half time, indeed, their rather shaky defence looked more likely to concede.

After a half-time rollicking, Eastbourne were much improved after the break, playing at a higher tempo as they dominated the play. Despite creating a few chances, Uckfield looked quite comfortable, weathering the storm, until they put the tie to bed on 83 minutes. The ball was played beyond the back post, finding Smith all by himself out wide. Dribbling to a more central position, it looked like he would cross the ball but instead thumped the ball inside the far top corner of the woodwork. They could have scored a fourth, before Eastbourne claimed a consolation goal in the 89th minute, the ball was slipped through to Dominic Cole, who struck the ball low across the keeper from just inside the area. But it was AFC Uckfield who progressed to the semi-finals, where they will play Peacehaven & Telscombe.