Tunbridge Wells (2) 2 Beecroft 2, Parsons 40
Eastbourne Town (2) 4 Pogue 13,31 McClean, Snashall 53
Att. Est. 100
Entrance: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 34/78
Played on 3G pitch at Hayesbrook School
This was more of what to expect from pre-season with a blazing hot sun scorching the grass, if there had been any. Tunbridge Wells’ hosting of Eastbourne Town was on the 3G pitch at Hayesbrook School, Tonbridge and sadly the surface bore a poor comparison to the pitch at Maidstone United. Speaking to the Wells’ Rhys Lawson on Twitter, he explained that he found the surface awful, very sticky and difficult to run on with the heat coming off the pitch something else.
The afternoon hadn’t started particularly well, with no referee having arrived for the 2 o’clock kick-off. When he finally arrived, it appears that he had been misinformed that the game had actually been cancelled. Some sympathy is to be had with the official considering the game had had three different kick-off times since its initial announcement.
Tunbridge Wells could not have asked for a better start to the game when in the second minute a cross-cum-shot from the left hand side by Jake Beecroft deceived the goalkeeper and nestled into the far corner of the net.
But after a shaky start, Eastbourne started to settle and they looked like a side that were possibly a week or so further into their pre-season preparations. Despite relegation from Ryman South last year, they have kept a nucleus of the side and added four signings from Hastings United. In Kenny Pogue, up front, they had a big, strong forward who had that little bit of nous from playing at a higher level. Pogue scored twice to put the south coast side in front before Ian Parsons scored a cracker of a volley to level the scores.
Whilst Parsons' shot was rifling into the net, a couple of players were squaring up to each other and a mini brawl ensued. The referee managed to get in amongst the action and was clearly heard to say to the players, after separating the main protogonists, “clear off and go and have a drink or something whilst I sort this out.” Good refereeing.
Second half goals from Matt McClean and Luke Snashall sealed a reasonably comfortable victory for Eastbourne whilst Tunbridge Wells can take heart from encouraging performances from full-back Callum McCarthy, who looked quite assured for his tender years and Danny Powell was also a livewire when he came on as a second half substitute.
Almost without question, the Wells will be glad to return to the green, green grass of home for next week’s friendly against local rivals and now fellow members of the Southern Counties East, Crowborough.
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