Rochester United’s run in the FA Vase came to an end at the hands of Eastbourne United on Saturday afternoon.
Two goals in the last fifteen minutes by Joe Overy and Freddie Jones gave the home side the win in Sussex.
The game started after a five-minute delay do you localised traffic issues, both teams had enough of the ball but not risking anything for the opposing team to capitalise to give the opposition a chance to take the lead.
The first chances of the game fell to Eastbourne, a tame shot which was comfortably saved by Chris Swift in goal and a cross in the box which was headed over. It took Rochester thirty-six minutes to have their first effort on goal. The ball fell to Tom Loynesand his effort went narrowly wide.
A big moment in the game came just before the break, Eastbourne were awarded a penalty. Rochester defender Tony Whitaker was believed by the referee to deliberately handle the ball and was subsequently given his second booking to receive his marching orders.
Rochester defender Tom Webb was shown a booking and sin binned for saying to the official it wasn’t a penalty. Up stepped James Hull and Chris Swift in the Spartans goal produced a great save to his left to deny the Eastbourne player. Shortly after the referee blew his half time whistle.
Eastbourne 0-0 Rochester United.
With the game resuming Rochester started with nine players due to the red card and sin bin from the first half. Despite the disadvantage with the number of players, Rochester had plenty of the ball to try and get through an organised back four.
Just before the hour mark, the referee has his cards out again, initially booking Spartans Physio Adnan Ako. Then he must’ve heard something as while he was walking away, he turned back around and showed Adnan a straight red. Both teams were flabbergasted with the official’s decision making.
Just over ten minutes later Rochester were down to nine and for a temporary period eight. Defender Tom Webb was shown his second yellow card of the game for a foul on an Eastbourne forward. Before the restart of the game with the resulting free kick, Spartans wide man Dan Lott was sin binned for asking the referee if he could “protect our players”.
The eight men of Rochester held out the pressure of Eastbourne till the 75th minute, Freddie Jones beat his man produced a nice ball across the box for Joe Ovary to finish to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
With Rochester going for it with the nine men on the pitch Eastbourne sealed the game after a cross from Sam Scott, Freddie Jones nodded home past Chris Swift. Shortly after the restart the referee blew the full-time whistle.
FT Eastbourne United 2-0 Rochester United
Referee – Mr Findlay-Geer
Assistants – Mr Wilson & Mr Jenkins
Eastbourne United
Secka, Gander, Scott, Prodger, D Hull, Patton, Ovary, Ovenden (c), J Hull, Ball, Barlow.
Subs
Stone, Loft, Jones, Kartal, Robitaille
Rochester United
Swift, Wyness, Webb, Payne (c), Whitaker, Bray, Lott, Watson, Freeman, Reilly, Loynes
Subs
Ward, Dos Santos, Thomas, Currie
Images courtesy of Sophie Barnes