GREG GETS LAUGH FOR
AN INJURY-TIME first-half goal from Greg Luer saw Eastbourne strengthen their play-off hopes at Bulpit Lane.
A delighted Eastbourne boss Danny Bloor said: “This club is about the supporters and we are doing our best to give them a season to remember.”
It took only 33 seconds for the visitors to open the scoring. Charley Kendall ran at the home defence and found Charlie Walker in a space and he powered his shot into the bottom-left corner, leaving no chance for keeper Luke Cairney.
After a quarter of an hour a long throw from Matt Jones was flicked on and Duane Ofori-Acheampong headed home for the equaliser.
Hungerford scored again almost straight from the kick-off. Ryan Seager picked the ball up on the halfway line and ran at Eastbourne. Their defenders backed off until they were on the edge of the box and Seager curled a shot into the far corner for his 22nd National League South goal of the season.
The game remained open but chances were limited to longrange efforts. That was until five minutes before the break, when Eastbourne scored a fortunate goal. A shot from Walker was deflected into the net off of Keith Emmerson. The shot was going wide but the ricochet gave Cairney no chance.
The equaliser inspired the home side and a couple of minutes later Eastbourne this time were rather unfortunate when a through ball from Luer found
Kendall but his shot hit the post.
Then deep into injury time in the half a long crossfield ball was misjudged by Max Ram and found Luer, who powered a shot into the roof of the net. An excellent finish from the lively right winger.
More goals were expected in the second half after the pulsating first half but both sides seemed to struggle to find the same tempo.
Kendall forced a good save from Cairney low to his right after ten minutes and it proved to be the best chance of the half until late on.
Hungerford had to up their urgency with 15 minutes to go. George Smith saw a shot deflected and pushed just over the bar by Lee Worgan. Matt Jones then nearly caught Worgan napping with a 35-yard dipping cross shot but he just recovered just in time.
Borough looked dangerous and Cairney has to win a last ditch tackle outside of his area when Kendall broke clear.
Hungerford boss Danny Robinson said: “I cannot fault the players’ endeavour. Lady luck has deserted us, it seems.”
HUNGERFORD: (5-3-2): Cairney 7; Angell 6, Jones 6, Emmerson 6 (Rusby 70, 6), Ram 6, Berry-Hargreaves 7; Burley 6, Smith 7, Seager 7 ; Ofori-Acheampong 7 (Sheaf 75, Herbert 84), Wanjau-Smith 6 Subs not used:
McGrory, Bailey
EASTBOURNE: (4-2-3-1): Worgan 7; Elliott 6, Nippard 6, Dickenson 6, Mahorn 6; Hammond 6, Perez 6; Luer 8, Walker 8 (Whelpdale 65, 6) , Hutchinson 7 (Rollinson 88); Kendall 8 Subs not used: Vaughan, Gravata, Holter.
STAR MAN: Greg Luer (Eastbourne)
ENTERTAINMENT: