Eastbourne United AFC 4-0 Arundel

Match report courtesy of Michael Stokoe

Eastbourne United continued their impressive league start as they ruthlessly dispatched an Arundel side 4-0 at the Oval thanks to an own-goal from Nathan Da Costa, and then three apiece from Danny Andrews, Jack Divall, and Tyler O’Callaghan.
After winning seven of their opening eight games, confidence was high for United as they entertained lowly Arundel. It was a cagey opening 15 minutes as both sides struggled to get any sort of rhythm; but as the first-half wore on it was United that began to pull the strings, and United’s midfield schemer Scott Chamberlain was an integral part of that.
The deep-lying midfielder was impressive throughout the opening half; as well as his passing range, it was Chamberlain’s composure that allowed United to get a proper foothold on the game, and once they got that, Tobi Hutchinson’s men never looked back.
United broke Arundel’s resistance midway through the first-half as a combination of Arundel’s Da Costa and United’s Adam Davidson bundled the ball past James Fernandes.
After going one up United continued to pile on the pressure, and both Max Hollobone and Divall had chances to put United firmly in control, but the latter had his shot well saved by Fernandes, and Hollobone curled his effort just past the far-post.
Arundel were struggling to deal with United’s pace and power, but they had a rare sighter at goal shortly before the interval, but Alex Biggs blasted his effort high over the bar from just outside the box.
But on the stroke of half-time, United thought they had scored a second as Danny Andrews converted another header, but it was deemed offside by the officials.
The second-half started in a similar vein to the first, it was the visitors that came out and looked to remain compact and tight, and to a point it was working until Andrews scored United’s second. It was a lovely free-flowing move in which Andrews rounded the keeper and slotted home.
After United’s second goal, it was one-way traffic as Hutchinson’s men went on the search for more goals, and in the last 15 minutes they capped off a solid afternoon as substitute Tyler O’Callaghan flashed a superb volley into the top corner. That was followed by Divall capping off a fine performance as he drilled in a fine effort from 20 yards much to the delight of the United faithful.
Speaking after the game, United’s manager was thrilled with the performance, saying: “I’m more pleased with the performance if I’m honest, obviously three points is first priority, but to get three points and put that sort of performance in alongside it was really pleasing.”
It was a comprehensive performance from United; and in the process it continued their superb start to their league campaign.
Confidence is running high at the Oval after a stellar start, and with the side progressing nicely in the cup competitions it could well be quite a season at the Oval for United and their fans.