MATCH PREVIEW: EASTBOURNE BOROUGH VS CONCORD RANGERS

 


Stadium: Priory Lane (Capacity: 4,151)
Table Position: 9th
Top Scorer: Shiloh Remy (15)
Manager: Danny Bloor
Nickname: The Sports
2022/23 average attendance: 1,041


Tomorrow afternoon Concord Rangers conclude their season with a trip to the South Coast to take on Eastbourne Borough.

The Beach Boys have nothing to play for except pride following their relegation on Thursday night as a result of a 4-3 injury time defeat to Havant and Waterlooville.

Eastbourne also have nothing to play for with the Sports now unable to reach the playoffs as they sit four points behind St Albans City in 7th. 

This hasn't stopped Danny Bloor's men from ending the season in style with Borough winning five of their past eight games - winning three on the bounce at Priory Lane.

However due to poor away form Eastbourne have lost two of their last three games; losing at Welling United and Braintree Town respectively.

Whilst Eastbourne will be looking to continue good home form, Concord will be hoping to end poor away form. The Beach Boys are six games without a win on their travels having not won on the road since mid March.

The reverse fixture in September saw Eastbourne run out 4-2 winners at the Aspect Arena. A second half Danny Green brace wasn't enough as strikes from Jake Hutchinson, Shiloh Remy, Jaden Perez and Greg Luer secured a first win at the Aspect Arena for the Sports since 2014.

This was also Eastbourne's second straight win over Concord and in recent years the Sports seeing off the Beach Boys has been a regular occurrence.

Concord are winless in three trips to Priory Lane and as well as this have won just one of their last six games with the East Sussex outfit.

The highest position that the Beach Boys can end the campaign in is 21st provided Rob Small's side win and Weymouth lose or draw at Dover Athletic.

The lowest that Rangers can finish is 23rd if they fail to win and Cheshunt win at Tonbridge Angels or if they lose and Cheshunt draw at Longmead.


Key Player
Leone Gravata
An academy graduate at Priory Lane, midfielder Leone Gravata has been a regular in the Sports midfield and the youngster also has an eye for goal.

So far this term the 21 year old has made 48 appearances, the most in the Sports squad, and has popped up with nine goals.

Gravata comes into this game with two goals in as many home games having netted in Borough's victories over Dartford and Hemel Hempstead Town at Priory Lane.

Gravata previously represented Hendon on a months loan spell at the club during November 2021.


They've played for both
Norman Wabo
The only current member of either squad to have turned out for both sides, Norman Wabo joined Eastbourne in January 2023.

Since moving to Priory Lane the former Southend United striker has netted two goals in 12 appearances.

In 2021 Wabo joined Concord on a months loan from Margate and coincidentally the 24 year old's debut came against Eastbourne.

This would be Wabo's only appearance for the Beach Boys during a month long stint with the club.

Wabo will also be a familiar face to current Concord boss Rob Small. Last season Wabo enjoyed a loan spell under Small at Bowers & Pitsea. During his time at the Len Salmon Stadium the striker scored one goal in five appearances - a header in a 4-1 loss at home to Enfield Town.

Previously in his career Wabo has also turned out for Ebbsfleet United, Maidstone United, Braintree Town and Dartford respectively.


Form
Eastbourne Borough
W - 2-1 vs Dartford (H)
L - 0-1 vs Welling United
W - 3-0 vs Hemel Hempstead Town (H)
L - 0-2 vs Braintree Town (A)

Concord Rangers
W - 3-2 vs Dartford (H)
W - 2-0 vs Hampton & Richmond Borough (H)
D - 0-0 vs Dulwich Hamlet (A)
L - 3-4 vs Havant and Waterlooville (H)


Head-to-head
24/09/2022: Concord Rangers 2-4 Eastbourne Borough
02/04/2022: Eastbourne Borough 2-0 Concord Rangers
13/11/2021: Concord Rangers 2-1 Eastbourne Borough
13/02/2021: Eastbourne Borough 1-1 Concord Rangers
12/12/2020: Concord Rangers 2-2 Eastbourne Borough


By Nathan Williams

Comments

Post a Comment