City bounce back to down Borough

City produced a perfect response to the Weston Super Mare defeat with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Eastbourne Borough this afternoon. First half goals from Jordan Thomas and Cody Cooke put them in control of the game before Eastbourne pulled a goal back 13 minutes from time. City were then indebted to several excellent saves from Ollie Wright before they could celebrate the three points. The hosts had enjoyed the majority of possession during the opening exchanges but rarely troubled City’s backline and, on 24 minutes, Thomas dispossessed a defender midway in the Eastbourne half to race clear before calmly rolling the ball under Dudzinski. It took a great block from Beard to deny Thomas a second goal minutes later but into stoppage time a push on Scott Wilson saw the referee point to the spot and Cooke stepped up to ensure City would go into the break two goals up. A triple change at the interval saw Eastbourne begin to look more dangerous as an attacking force but City continued to impressively protect Wright’s goal. When Remy limped off injured on 67 minutes it left Eastbourne with 10 men but ten minutes later they grabbed a lifeline when Gravata crossed for Sheriff to head home. With City struggling to get out their own half the Sussex side suddenly sensed an unlikely comeback. Wright turned a Kasim shot wide then Clarke headed over from close range. Into stoppage time, City endured several more nervous moments before Tom Smith spurned a great chance to make it 3-1 on the break. The game almost had a remarkable conclusion when keeper Dudzinski came up for a corner and unleashed a shot from 20 yards that looked destined for the bottom corner before Wright turned it round the post at full stretch.