Second longest trip next as Romans endure tough start
Eastbourne Borough are next up for Bath City as they look to bounce back from Saturday’s loss to Dartford.
Boro got their season off to a flier with a 3-1 win at Oxford City, racing into a 3-0 lead inside half an hour before Joe Iaciofano pulled one back just after half-time.
That was as good as it got for the Hoops as Eastbourne gained some revenge for defeat to the same club three months ago in a play-off eliminator.
“I’ll tell you something – there’s not going to be many teams who come here this season and win,” said Boro manager Danny Bloor after their success last weekend.
“It’s a great start but let’s not get carried away.
“It’ll be a tough game next weekend against Bath City but we can certainly enjoy this win.”
The win was more enjoyable considering the Sports’ feeble end to the 2021/22 campaign.
Five straight wins across March and early April, the fourth against City, effectively sealed a play-off spot for Bloor’s men, their highest finish since relegation back to the division in 2011.
But they headed into the playoffs on a miserable run, losing their final four matches. The first was a 3-0 at Havant & Waterlooville which saw Eastbourne reduced to eight men, a home defeat to eventually relegated Billericay followed before a 2-0 at struggling Tonbridge and a ridiculous 7-2 at home to Dartford, where only two late consolations rescued some pride.
Predictably their knocked confidence haunted them in the playoffs, where they lost 2-0 at Oxford City.
That match was the final appearance of Charley Kendall, who netted 28 in all competitions last term.
Kendall’s form saw Lincoln City sign him in January before the League One side immediately loaned him back to complete the season at Priory Lane.
The lethal marksman opened the scoring when they last met City, a 2-0 win in March in East Sussex, with Jaden Perez netting the second just after half-time.
It was their first win over City for four years, and the performance was a vast improvement on January’s 2-1 loss at Twerton Park. Despite only having 11 fit outfield players available, the Romans were good value for all three points.
Alex Fletcher’s first half double gave the Romans daylight in that fixture and Boro’ didn’t show any fight until substitute Leone Gravata pulled one back midway through the second half, before a late onslaught saw Jerry Gill’s men cling on to a deserved three points.
Goalscorer Gravata only started two matches last season but was given the nod on Saturday at Oxford and Bloor was impressed.
“That’s the first time Leone Gravata has played 90 minutes for us,” he said. “It felt like a new signing.
“I think he’s going to be a great player this season.
“His defensive work was outstanding but there were many good displays.”
Four players made their debuts for the Sports at the Velocity Stadium – Alex Wynter and Shiloh Remy started plus Miquel Scarlett and Jake Hutchinson appearing as second half substitutes.
Remy has added pace to the side following his arrival from QPR, having been with their academy for five years.
Their three scorers were some of the old guard – James Hammond, Mitch Dickenson and Greg Luer – who’ve all spent at least two years at Eastbourne.
Luer has history of netting in this fixture, scoring in each 2019/20 contest which ended 2-2 at Twerton before a 2-1 win for City at Priory Lane, the latter thanks to a Tom Smith wonderstrike and Alex Hartridge header, each in the final few minutes.
Jerry Gill has overseen four wins over Boro’ during his tenure, with two draws and two defeats.
He is aware of the threat from last season’s sixth placed side, the second successive week City have faced a side who reached the playoffs in 2021/22.
“Every game is tough in this league,” he said.
“They were a good footballing side last season and I expect they’re similar now.
“It’s a long way to go and we’ll have to be at our best to get something out of that one again.”
At 178 miles one-way it’s the second longest journey City will make this season in the league behind just over 200 miles to Dover.
There will be no supporters coach for the fixture.