On 8 it was Sam Packham who joined the party, with a 40 yd freekick that tested Eastbourne’s keeper Phil Hawkins, followed by another Leslie cross also taken by the keeper.

Eastbourne Utd with the elements in their favour, then started to press themselves with Chas Playford feeding Tyler O'Callaghan whose shot was blocked by keeper Martin Hopkins in the Anvil goal, on 15 a combination of Callum Hart and Kane Penn had the latters shot punched clear. The Anvil backline continued to nullify any Eastbourne pressure, but on 24 they found a chink in the armour to equalise, this coming after Penn’s shot rebounded off the Anvil wall toward the unmarked O'Callaghan who in turn drove home. 1-1.

With the pendulum swinging back and forth throughout the half the HT score line reflected the evenness of the play. HT 1-1.

With the Wind & Rain now at their backs and kicking toward the Kop The Anvils started to dictate play and within minutes of the restart Russell Malton’s scorching run down the right flank had the Eastbourne defence twisting and turning but alas his cross went amiss, but on 50 he got his just reward when a Dan Sullivan pass found Malton on the edge of the box to blast home.
2-1 Anvils.

Come 55 and it was Nick Sullivan screwing his header just wide, on the hour Malton again got free, but his final shot went wide. On 63 it was all change on the Anvil bench with Greig and Packham being replaced by Lee Thomas and Michael Belli, on 74 it was Dan Sullivan set up brother Nick who made no mistake to open his account 3-1 Anvils.

For Eastbourne United, perhaps looking a spent force at this point, still had the odd sortie up field, with Hart cutting inside but firing over, and a Scott Taylor free kick from around the box area only finding Hopkins.

For the Anvils normal service was resumed with Belli putting a Thomas cross into Hawkins arms, then it was Leslie firing into the side netting, but on 83 he went one better when lobbing the keeper from outside the box. 4-1 Anvils.

Come 88 and it was Belli to supplying the good old 'coup de grace' racing through to hammer past the advancing Keepre. FT 5-1 Anvils.

Team: Martin Hopkins, Russell Malton, Harry Lowe, James Day, Marc Pelling, Sam Packham (Michael Belli), Dan Sullivan, Mike Spence (Freddie Cartwright), Nick Sullivan, Oli Leslie, Kieran Greig (Lee Thomas).

MOM: Russell Malton Attn: 64

Author: Mike May