Hill’s penalty has Sports fuming

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 1 WESTON-SUPER-MARE 2

GETHYN HILL’S fiercely disputed penalty saw an afternoon which began with tributes to Sports’ long-serving chief executive Mike Spooner, who died last weekend, end in controversy.

In sharp winter sunshine and even sharper Siberian winds, the visitors started brightly, pressing high and passing the ball sweetly.

But it was Borough who took the lead on 33 minutes when from Kiran KhindaJohn’s perfect pass, Yemi Odubade shimmied and shot past keeper Luke Purnell.

The Seagulls were level six minutes. Home stopper Mark Smith could only parry Jarrad Welch’s drive and Kenan Dunnwald reacted the quickest to score.

After the break Odubade’s stunning volley hit the bar.

Then on the hour, under faint contact from Harry Ransom, Hill’s dramatic fall looked worthy of a card for simulation, but instead the referee awarded a penalty.

Hill picked himself up to dispatch the spot-kick.

Seething Sports stormed back but, despite Weston losing Naby Diallo to a second yellow for a foul on Sergio Torres, the visitors defended stoutly.

Torres had a strike disallowed for offside and a home penalty appeal was waved away after Jake Lee looked to have fouled Shaun Okojie.

STAR MAN: Sergio Torres (Eastbourne Borough) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★