Manager Bob Paine made two changes from the team that drew with Lancing in midweek by bringing back fit again Luke Brodie in place of young Dave Matthews and Cian Tilley for his first start of the season in place of Ryan Quirke.

EP started on the front foot when after 3 mins a corner by Jake Heryet was met at the far post by Josh Etherington, but the centre half could not direct it goal wards. Heryet had a chance when Tom Lyne made a great run from defence passed to Dan Huet who put Heryet through, but his shot was saved by the EUFC keeper.

Jack Barnes had the next chance on 17 mins, but his shot lacked direction and went over the bar. Following a defensive mistake Cian Tilley was through with just the keeper to beat. He went round the keeper only for the ball to take a terrible bobble as he side footed it goal wards and the ball went wide.

Tilley only had to wait a short while to make amends as from a great through ball from Brodie once again he was one on one and this time he made no mistake as he slid the ball through the GK’s legs and into the corner of the net a great finish. EP doubled their lead on 39 mins from a great Heryet corner the ball was met by Searle with a bullet header from 8 yards out.

The home side had a couple of good opportunities before half time as they were dominating the match. Heryet put in a dangerous cross that no one could get on the end of and then Brodie cut in from the left and got a shot away which went into the side netting.
The third goal came on 44 mins where after some confusion in the Eastbourne United goalmouth the ball came out to Huet who coolly finished which was no more than EP deserved from a comprehensive first half display.

Half Time: 3-0

The visitors got a goal back after some sloppy defending presented the Eastbourne striker with an easy chance which he took to pull a goal back. EUFC nearly had a second when they had a shot which cleared the bar.

EP then took control of the game again and started to create numerous chances. Lyne had a free header from a corner but could not direct it goal wards. Dave Beaney had a good strike from the edge of the box that was saved. Etherington took the ball down well from a corner but his left foot volley went over the bar. In the 66th minute Etherington had a great header from a corner which the keeper tipped onto the bar. A minute later Brodie whipped in a great ball which Searle directed goal wards and the keeper saved and pushed it out for a corner. Searle then had a header from a corner which went wide.
The home side finally got their fourth goal on 80 mins when Tilley pounced in the area to blast home his second of the afternoon. Barnes added a fifth goal right at the end of the match when from a free kick just outside the area his excellent shot went over the GK and into the net.

Full Time: 5-1

First team coach Craig Stuart said ‘A great team performance in a very important game. We have been creating chances in our previous games but not converting them. We were much more clinical today. If we can maintain that performance level, we will be a match for anyone in this league. Fantastic first start of the season for Cian (Tilley) causing problems with his pace and power all game. Hopefully we can build on this and have a strong run to the end of the season.’

Team: Ben Purkis, Nathan Da Costa, Dave Beaney, Matt Searle (Gilbertson 76 mins), Tom Lyne, Josh Etherington, Jake Heryet (Parazo 80 mins), Jack Barnes, Cian Tilley, Dan Huet, Luke Brodie (Matthews 76 mins)
Subs: Leesun Donaldson, Josh Parazo, Jazz Gilbertson, James Lelliott, Dave Matthews