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Edgware's brave,
battling performance deserved better against the joint Conference South
leaders, but their FA Cup run ended at Priory Lane on Saturday amid
reflections of what might have been writes John Comfort.
Despite being some way short of full strength following the withdrawal
of Rob Blackburne, Paul Marks and Johnny Moore, all suffering from a
stomach virus, the Wares still gave a more than creditable account of
themselves and matched their unbeaten opponents for much of the game,
except when it came to finishing and they were made to pay a notably
high price for that particular failing.
It was the home side who made the early running and good saves from
Darren Bonfield had kept out efforts from Matt Smart and Jamie Day.
But, with 17 minutes gone, it was Edgware who were presented with a
golden opportunity to take the lead when Smart brought down Gavin Hart
in the home area and a penalty was awarded. However, the chance was
wastefully scorned as Densil Davidson crashed his spot kick against the
crossbar.
Would Edgware be made to regret that miss? The answer to that poser
unhappily came just six minutes later.
Bonfield's flying save to turn a 20-yarder from Paul Armstrong over the
bar gave the Sports a corner and, when the visitors failed to defend
Day's flag kick adequately, the ball ping-ponging across the Edgware
goalmouth several times, it was, somewhat ironically, Smart - turning
from home villain to hero in the space of a few minutes - who headed
home at the far post to put Eastbourne ahead.
Far from being deflated, however, that setback meely served to fire up
the Wares and, despite losing the seemingly concussed Jason Fernee with
a head injury, they enjoyed the better of the second quarter.
Denis Maharjan missed a good chance when he fired wildly over from close
in and Hart curled a great strike from the left of the area just past
the far post but, sadly, the visitors could not find the net.
Eastbourne made the running at the start of the second half but a great
tackle from Junior Lewis thwarted Scott Ramsay when he broke clear, then
Bonfield saved bravely at the feet of Andy Atkin.
But, with 10 minutes of the half gone, the home side extended their
lead, Day's free kick being headed home at the far post by the unmarked
Jay Lovett.
Again the goal spurred Edgware but, unhappily, in the finishing
department there was 'more of the same' from the visitors. Maharjan
volleyed over when well placed, Ben Hayden was agonisingly close to
turning a Davidson cross in at the far post, while Greg Ngoyi was put
clear by Maharjan but had his shot blocked by the legs of advancing
Eastbourne keeper Lee Hook.
Edgware pressed in the closing stages but when Maharjan's effort,
following a half cleared Hart corner, was cleared off the goalline, the
visitors knew that it was game - and cup run - over.
Against a side two levels above them, they could take much pride from
their fine performance. Had their finishing been up to scratch on the
day, they might also have taken a place in the next round. Sadly, it was
not to be.
Edgware:
Bonfield, Davidson (Brady), Hart, Hayden, Lewis, Ingham (Smith), White,
Fernee (Salih), S Blackburne, Ngoyi, Maharjan.
Other subs:
Morton, Newing.
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