United held in stalemate (05.02.05)

THIS fast-paced, entertaining game on Saturday was far from the stereotypical stalemate.
Both teams moved the ball forward quickly and created plenty of goal scoring opportunities.
But neither goalkeeper had many saves to make, although in mitigation the bobbly surface did not help.
Eastbourne shaded the first half, with striker Louis Fazakerly a particular handful for the Magpies defence.
His best effort, a shot on six minutes, was comfortably saved by Josh Lennie, making his debut on loan from Brentford.
Darren Smith’s ambitious overhead kick had already given Lennie a sighter in only the second minute of play, while Craig O’Connor fired just wide for the Magpies soon afterwards, having charged down Ben Austin’s attempted clearance.
The game then settled down, with the only clear scoring chances falling to Lawrence Yaku, who fired a fizzing shot just wide on 32 minutes, and Fazakerly, who missed a sitter from close range just before the break.
At half-time Magpies manager Dennis Greene shuffled the pack with a couple of substitutions and a change of formation.
This led to the Magpies dominating the second period and enjoying several periods of sustained pressure in the Eastbourne half.
Eastbourne also contributed to their own downfall, with too many aimless balls which lacked both purpose and direction.
Having seen enough, the Borough bench changed the side on 67 minutes but not the shape, with the introduction of Richard Brady and Daniel Williams.
The changes led to a more open game, with Lee Hook called upon to make a brave save at the feet of O’Connor, before Williams rattled Lennie’s crossbar with a fierce volley on 71 minutes.
Hook then had to save twice in quick succession to deny Yaku.
Borough might have snatched a win in the closing stages, but Ollie Rowland fired wide from an excellent position, and Lennie gathered a long-range effort from Ramsay at the second attempt.
The final whistle sounded minutes later, bringing an evenly fought game to an equitable end.

After the match, Magpies manager Dennis Greene said: “I wasn't expecting anything from the game. So I was very happy with the performance.
“In the first half there were a few chances at either end, but in the second half we were the better side.
“Effort-wise it was excellent, we just haven't had any product.”
Asked to explain his side’s lack of goals, Greene added: “We have been working on our finishing in training.
“They can all score goals.
“But they seem to want to walk it into the goal.”

NICE JUMPER: Left-back Lee Fieldwick (front) and Guy Ekwalla get the jump on an Eastbourne Borough player on Saturday.