Return to action ends in disappointing Eastbourne defeat

City’s return to action following their weather enforced 17-day break ended in disappointing fashion this evening with a 1-0 defeat to lowly Eastbourne Borough at Twerton Park. City showed little signs of rustiness in the opening exchanges and great work down the right flank by Andy Watkins on seven minutes saw his cross pick out Opi Edwards but the returning loanee fired high over the bar. This bright start soon petered out and it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break when a cross-shot struck the foot of the post. City had no such escape on 60 minutes though when a Jack Batten mistake allowed Odubade to touch the ball past Luke Southwood before stabbing it into the open net. The scrappy nature of the goal was perfectly in keeping with the quality of the contest as City struggled to find a way back into the game. The introduction of Antoine Semenyo did liven up City’s attacking threat and twice he got behind the Eastbourne backline but couldn’t find the finish to match his approach work. And little else City tried troubled the Sports as they gave themselves some breathing space from the relegation zone and dented City’s play-off hopes in the process.