6am phone call from keeper sets tone for Eastbourne Borough's difficult day

The home side’s victory extended their unbeaten record against Borough to a remarkable 20 games, and the visitors could not really complain. Craig Tanner’s breakthrough free-kick shortly before half-time set the home side on their way, with Dominic Poleon adding the sheen to the scoreline with a late second strike. Here is the match in a gallery of pictures by Lydia and Nick Redman.

Danny Bloor’s day had begun with a 6am phone call from his mainstay goalkeeper: a sickness bug would deprive the team of Lee Worgan’s expertise, but also of his experience and organisational skills. Drafted swiftly in, 18-year-old Conor Manderson played bravely and was not at fault for the goals. Conor is a former Borough youth player now on a scholarship at Portsmouth – but the knock-on problem for Bloor was that, under League rules, his inclusion meant leaving out another loan player. Potent attacker Dom Hutchinson, who has been in terrific recent form, was the man to stand down.

Brilliant, pin-sharp sunshine, and equally sharp temperatures, greeted the teams at Ebbsfleet’s home ground, now impressively revamped – on one side of the pitch – with a rather Modernist main stand full of lurching wavy lines. Great facilities and perfect view of the action; while on the far side, the proud solid timberwork of the sturdy old grandstand, stood as a reminder of former days – even down to the flaking red and white paintwork!