The game started with a forced change for Eastbourne, as captain Craig Eastmond pulled up with an injury and had to be replaced by their number 8, Mo Sagaf.
Following the substitution, the match settled into a slow rhythm, with Salisbury enjoying the majority of possession. The first real moment of the game came in the 23rd minute, when new-boy Harry Lee received the ball in the left-back position and drove into Eastbourne’s 18-yard box. He laid it off to Coppin, but unfortunately, the move came to nothing.
Shortly after, George Penn picked up the ball on the edge of the Eastbourne box and fired a shot that struck the post — the first real chance of the game.
In the 31st minute, Eastbourne’s Jess delivered a cross into the Salisbury half, finding Aderoju, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Will Buse.
Despite a goalless first half, Salisbury had been the more dominant side heading into the break.
Not long after the restart, debutant Harry Trustin played the ball to Hedges, whose shot was deflected out for a Whites corner.
Ten minutes later, Hedges broke down the wing and into the Eastbourne box, taking a shot that went narrowly wide.
Just as the Whites were starting to show some promise, Eastbourne responded. Pitblado sent in a cross from the left, finding the head of Aderoju, but he couldn’t direct it on target.
Three minutes later, Hedges picked out Briggs in the middle of Eastbourne’s half, but his effort was deflected wide.
With 18 minutes to go, the home side had a great chance to take the lead. Sagaf played in Anifowose, but Buse made a solid save to keep Salisbury in the game.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, another big chance came for Eastbourne. Trusty played a through ball to Alexander, who was one-on-one with Buse. However, the Salisbury keeper got his fingertips to the shot, deflecting it onto the post and keeping the scores level.
In the dying minutes, Cove made a run into the Eastbourne box and got a shot off, but it was blocked by a defender.
After a few more minutes of added time, the referee blew the final whistle. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Next week, the Whites return to FA Cup action at home against Dorking
Written by George Nash
