Eastbourne Borough came from behind to beat a spirited Three Bridges side 5-1 in the Sussex Senior Cup third round

Tommy Widdrington’s side came into the game off the back of a disheartening defeat in the league to bottom side Basingstoke Town. But Widdrington named a near full-strength squad, only Ian Simpemba was missing.

It was Three Bridges the first to test David Gregory in the Sports goal as an effort from twenty yards was well saved by the on-loan Crystal Palace keeper.

Borough struggled to get into the game in the opening minutes; and Three Bridges took advantage of that, as they won a penalty as Borough switched off at the back and Gregory bundled over the onrushing forward.

Hakeem Adelakun stepped and confidently rolled the balled past Gregory to put Three Bridges into a deserved lead.

The visitors who play their football in the Ryman South division were proving stubborn opposition for their National League opponents; but Elliot Romain who rose through the ranks at Three Bridges won Borough a penalty after being bundled over in the box.

Young Ryan Worrall stepped up and converted the penalty to put the Sports back into the tie. After the penalty Borough began to find their rhythm and composure, and with that a flurry of chances were spurned.

First Darren Lok couldn’t reach a McCallum cross, and then Romain crossed for McCallum whose volley cannoned back off the bar.

The start of the second-half was the same as the first for Borough; Three Bridges were pressing high which meant Widdrington’s side struggled to impose their game on the opposition.

Although Three Bridges looked comfortable, they didn’t trouble Gregory much in Borough’s goal. But the Sports took the lead on the just inside the last 15 minutes, as Craig Stone’s long-ball was misjudged by the Bridges defence, but Pinney was equal to the ball and he calmly slotted home to ease Borough in front.

From then on Borough was in control and added to their advantage, firstly substitute Kane Haysman scored probably the easiest goal he will ever score after John Lansdale spilt Pinney’s free-kick.

Lansdale spilt the ball again a couple of minutes later, and McCallum made no mistake and fired Borough into a comfortable lead and in process put the tie beyond Three Bridges.

The game saw its third penalty as the influential McCallum was tripped in the area; Pinney scored his second of the evening to round off a good nights work for Borough as they put the defeat to Basingstoke behind them.

Eastbourne Borough: D. Gregory, C. Stone (c), S. Beale, R. Worrall (M. Baptista, 81), M. Hamilton, K. Khinda-John, G. McCallum, N. Collier, N. Pinney, D. Lok (K. Haysman, 48), E. Romain (J. Street, 82) Substitutes: L. Wilson, L. Carey Three Bridges: J. Lansdale, D. Mobsby, N. Brake, M. Pulling, D. Cooney, J. Crellin (c), A. Touray (M. Castleman, 79), S. Sargent (B. Godfrey, 64), A. Tait, H. Adelakun, J. Dollery (M. Whitehead, 54) Substitutes: M. Daniel, A. Jones