Eastbourne Borough crashed out of the FA Trophy as a superb AFC Fylde side won 4-1

The Sports welcomed Fylde to Priory Lane, knowing it was going to be a tough, as the opponents play in the league above and are currently sitting fourth heading into the crucial part of the season.

But, Borough have had a tough times of things lately; the defeat to bottom side Basingstoke last weekend was hard to take, as Tommy Widdrington’s men slipped to fourth bottom. It was Fylde had the first chance of the game, when the in-form Rowe who before today’s game had 50 goals in 83 appearances weaved his way into the box, and unleashed a low drive wide of Borough’s goal.

Borough responded with an effort from Sam Beale who was playing in the unfamiliar position of right-wing. Beale cut in fro m the right, but his shot was a couple of inches above the bar.

After the two early chances, both sides were cancelling each other out; but just after the 25th minute Sam Finley burst into the box for Fylde and crashed a shot against the bar.

After some sustained pressure from the visitors, Nathan Collier opened the scoring for the Sports just before the half-hour mark when Craig Stone launched a free-kick into the Fylde box. Ian Simpemba won the flick on and Collier volleyed home to put Borough in ascendency.

But Fylde equalised five minutes later through a scrappy Langley goal from a corner. It was harsh on Lewis Carey as he pulled off two terrific saves before Langley bundled into the net.

Lloyd put Fylde ahead immediately after the restart for his first goal of the game. The winger was a constant threat all afternoon; Lloyd cut in from the left and fired a low shot that evaded Carey in the Borough goal.

And just after the hour mark Lloyd scored again. Borough failed to clear their lines and Lloyd smashed in a superb volley which Carey had no chance with.

It was all Fylde after they went ahead; Lloyd missed a great chance to complete his hat-trick. After the getting the better of Stone, the winger raced into the box, but he lacked composure and flashed his effort wide of the post.

Flyde’s in-form striker Rowe completed the rout late on after Borough gave the ball away down the left-hand side. The striker was constant present for Fylde; on this occasion Rowe turned Khinda-John and fired an effort past Carey to complete a 4-1 victory.

With the FA Trophy now beyond Widdrington’s side; Borough can concentrate on the league where they have some work to do to make sure they remain in the division.

Teams Eastbourne Borough: L. Carey, C. Stone, S. Beale, I. Simpemba (c), K. Khinda-John, M. Baptista (K. Haysman, 65), M. Hamilton, N. Collier, N. Pinney, G. McCallum, E. Romain (D. Lok, 64) Substitutes: J. Street, R. Worrall, D. Gregory AFC Fylde: M. Urwin, C. Hughes, S. Crainey, J. Langley, T. Hannigan (c), R. Baker, D. Charles (M. Hughes, 71), S. Finley (B. Barnes, 87), D Rowe, J. Wilson, D. Lloyd Substitutes: M. Blinkhorn, B. Hinchliffe, A. Whittle Attendance - 352