Ask any non league fan and they’ll tell you - it’s the travel that gets you eventually! Eastbourne United have enjoyed a series of home games (thanks to the weather), but now was the time to get in the car for Lingfield Away. Only it wasn’t away. Lingfield have had ongoing problems with their Godstone Road pitch, and on Saturday it was once again unavailable, as was there backup at Whyteleaf. Rather that postpone again, The Oval Arena offered to host, and so it was that this “Away” fixture was played out in front of another very healthy Oval crowd.

Thanks to their immaculate home record, United have made a rod for their own back now - the faithful expect goals, and lots of them, they expect attacking and lots of it, and they expect wins, lots of them. On Saturday, despite the away status, United delivered again. In another unchanged lineup, save for the returning Alex Hobden, assurance has been built in, players knowing each others game inside out. From the kickoff, the virtual timer was running, and indeed, just 83 seconds in OllieHull had the ball in the net, only to be ruled offside. United fans were still fuming when Hobden was brought into action at the other end- no signs of the concussion that has kept him sidelined for three weeks, as he was smartly on to it. United went straight back up the pitch and Ollie Hull pulled a lovely cross over the keeper’s sight line for brother James Hull to make it 1-0. Worryingly for United fans, Hobden was back in action immediately, another sharp save as it became apparent that Lingfield were not at all Interested in United’s 14 win home streak.
The excellent Joe Overy almost doubled United’s lead, but an excellent full length save kept it 1-0. With half an hour gone, James Hull was through on goal when in a moment of indecision the Lingers keeper came out of his box and took out Hull with a terribly timed tackle. As the physio treated the writhing Hull, the referee reached into his pocket and the surprise of all brought out just a yellow card. The resulting free kick from Charlie Ball was well saved by a keeper who should of being enjoying a shower by then. United were unsettled, although Jordan Ray headed just over, there was an air of injustice disturbing the game flow, and so it was on 33 minutes that Lingfield were back at 1-1, United’s defence failing to clear the corner. This spurred United into action, Wilson steaming down the right wing to grab a corner, Sam Scott scooping a really high cross to the far post, Dan Hull heading back into the path of Charlie Ball, whose headers rarely miss to make it 2-1 to United. Joe Overy had an excellent shot saved by the keeper, once again showing the value of yellow over red for Lingers.

The half time talk from Anthony Storey must have contained meat; United came out like a set of charging Pamplona Bulls- Wilson was re-invigorated and his cross to James Hull was sublime, again another good save from the keeper kept it 2-1. Just ten minutes in and Charlie Ball turned provider, a jinking solo run undoing the entire Lingfield defence before a selfless layoff to James Hull, who thundered home for 3-1. Now the match was in full flow, Ray heading onto his favourite crossbar once again before Overy shot just over the same bar. Overy got even closer a minute later, this time hitting the crossbar, the rebound being put inches wide by Sam Scott. The match was not over however, and Hobden was forced into another fine save to maintain the two goal lead. Storey rang the changes as Wilson was replaced by Prodger. As added time approached, Ollie Hull got on the end of a sublime pass from Prodger, making it 4-1 and game very much over!

United face a stern test on Tuesday night as they travel (honestly) to Midhurst, the tricky sloping surface has undone them in the past- they will need to be on full alert to keep up the play off charge. On Saturday they will be away to Newhaven at 3pm