I didn't make it to the game at Croydon mid-week. Apparently, the youngsters played really well with Heald putting in a particularly impressive debut. Their reward? To find themselves on the bench as the 'experienced' players regained their places for this bottom-of-the-basement fixture. And what did experience bring to proceedings? Nothing. Once the youngsters eventually came on, Whitstable actually looked vaguely threatening. But by then, it was too late. 

The first half was utterly forgettable although I won't forget the 4 hours plus spent in the car and my carbon footprint. The most annoying part was - as has been said elsewhere - Eastbourne were dreadful. The fact that the first half was even only proves one thing ... it's going to take something new and different to get us out of this mess. 

One positive from the first half: Baines was the stand-out performer.

In the second half, another Whitstable youngster stood out: Cornhill who delivered some fine corners in particular which Lloydy met forcefully but ultimately unsuccessfully.

 

Eastbourne's first came from a looped free kick from the left towards the back post - Fewell stopped the first attempt but his parried block fell kindly to Francis who smashed it into the back of the net. Their second came 21 minutes later. This time, the free kick came from the right hand side, again deep and the Eastbourne keeper met it sweetly on the volley and past Fewell. It only took 8 minutes for Francis to score again, yet another volley from six yards from a deep corner. That Eastbourne should score three easy goals like this without proper marking is worrying.

 

Dolton got a consolation three minutes from time as he fired a free kick into the top corner from 25 yards. It was an extremely well-taken free kick but didn't make up for an otherwise poor performance. We really have a problem at left wing-back: that's not his role. Not his fault I suppose...

 

Don't know what else to say ... apart from Dolton's free kick, the Eastbourne's keeper greatest challenge was avoiding his own central defender's clearance ...