The Hawks travel to 22nd place Eastbourne Borough for a huge season defining National League South game on Tuesday evening.
Both teams come into the game with one win in their last 5 matches, with the Hawks beating Chelmsford City 2-1 at Westleigh Park at the start of February. The Sports weren’t so lucky against Chelmsford in their last fixture, losing 3-0 at home.
Three points would see the Hawks draw level with Eastbourne Borough on 27 points. However, if the Sports come away with the win, then the Hawks could find themselves 6 points adrift in 23rd.
Eastbourne last 5
Eastbourne Borough 0-3 Chelmsford City
Bath City 1-0 Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourne Borough 2-1 Farnborough
Eastbourne Borough 1-2 Aveley
Eastbourne Borough 1-2 St Albans City
Last time out
In their last game, the Hawks lost 1-0 to league leaders Yeovil Town in a frustrating game.
The Hawks came close to opening the scoring when Callum Keally’s header bounced off the crossbar in the opening 5 minutes. Despite the Hawks early chance, Yeovil were the team in control. The Glovers had a handful of chances, but xxx found himself unmarked on the Hawks goal line in the 32nd minute and smashed the ball in the back of the net.
The rest of the game was uneventful. The Hawks had chances, but their lack of finishing meant that they couldn’t find an equaliser. The final score was 1-0 to Yeovil.
Head-to-head
The last time the two sides faced each other was on 6th September, when Eastbourne Borough came away 2-1 winners.
The first half was uneventful, with neither side being able to create any clear cut chances. The players frustration at this began to show in the second half, with the referee handing out several yellow cards. James Roberts was the most hot headed on the pitch, putting in a few challenges on the opposition. This resulted in the striker gaining two yellow cards and being sent off.
Fletcher Holman opened the scoring for Eastbourne in the 80th minute. The Hawks put pressure on the Sports after this and were rewarded in the 90th minute when Leon Baker was brought down in the away teams box, winning a penalty. Callum Kealy stepped up calmly and converted the spot kick.
The Hawk’s joy was short lived through because a minute later Decarrey Sherriff was able to get in behind the defence and slot the ball into the back of the net, ending the game at 2-1 to the Sports,
These two sides first met in 2011, facing each other 17 times since then. The Hawks have a good record against the Sports, beating them 10 times, while the Sussex based outfit have only managed three wins.
Ticketing
Tickets for our trip to Priory Lane are available to purchase online through our hosts HERE
Turnstiles will open at Eastbourne Borough at 18:45 on Matchday and Tickets will be available to purchase on the turnstiles.
Supporters paying on Matchday can purchase tickets at the following prices:
Adults: £18
Concessions*^: £12
Under 18’s*: £6
Students*: £6
Under 12”: FREE (You will need to collect a FREE ticket from the box office on match day)
^This Ticket type is available to Over 65’s and Blue Light Card holders
*Identification may be required to be produce with this Ticket type
“Under 12’s must be accompanied by a paying adult
How to follow
Tune into Hawks Radio to listen to live commentary of the game from Josh Verroken and Les Hyson: https://hawks-radio.mixlr.com/
Match Updates will also be available on the Hawks Social Media channels:
X: https://twitter.com/HWFCOfficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hwfcofficial/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HWFCOfficial