United Lose Nine Goal Thriller at Loxwood

Eastbourne United AFC were on the wrong end of an entertaining and sometimes controversial 9 goal thriller at Plaistow Road, losing 5-4 to Loxwood

United were without the services of Callum Christie, Peter Cooper and Liam Baitup for the fixture with Tyler O’Callaghan making his first start, while Bailo Camara returned from injury and Adam Sargent made his second start of the season in goal.
United found themselves a goal down with just ten minutes played as a scuffed shot from Barnard found its way to Ramsey, who proceeded to dance around Sargent and fire into the empty net.
Ollie Moore saw an effort fly wide of Sargent’s upright, before Jamie Bunn force home ‘keeper Sam Smith into a save following a 25 yard effort.
Loxwood had the opportunity to double their lead with just over 25 minutes played when Sargent was caught with the ball at his feet in the area by Moore who disposed the ‘keeper, but before he was able to shoot he was downed by the United ‘keeper.
Luckily for Sargent, he was only shown a yellow card and picked himself up to face a penalty from Moore, but the penalty sailed wide of the goal – a huge let off for the United ‘keeper.
Controversy followed soon after following a break in play where the ball was to be returned to United, but Harry Bachelor lifted the ball over Sargent and into the goal for 2-0.
United were clearly upset with the incident, but huge credit must go to Loxwood, who allowed Liam Painter to jog through unchallenged from the restart and place the ball into an unguarded net to half the deficit.
As has been the case previously this season, the goal raised United and they found themselves back on level terms on the stroke of half time when Dave Smart’s left wing free kick found its way to Adam Davidson who slammed the ball home from close range.
United started the second half brightly, but found themselves behind again with only five minutes of the half played as Ramsey crossed from the right for Moore to head home past the desperate dive of Sargent.
A fourth soon followed for Loxwood after Aaron Filsell was dispossessed by Sam Beard who rifled the ball under Sargent’s body from just outside the area.
United refused to give up however and a little over two minutes later made it 4-3, as Camara cut in from the left wing and unleashed a vicious right footed effort that flew by Smith.
United had a glorious chance to draw level again almost immediately following the restart as Camara produced a tempting cross from the right, but it was just too good for the head of Dean Stevens.
Ramsey saw an effort superbly cleared off the line by shaun lee for a corner, but from the resulting kick, Clyde Jacques restored the home sides two goal advantage.
The scoring would not end their though, as some quick interplay in the United midfield found the run of Stevens who confidently eased the ball past Smith to make it 5-4.
Both sides had further chances, but the scoreline would remain the same as United returned to East Sussex without any points, but some new admirers following an exciting and open contest.