EASTBOURNE TOWN 0 Metropolitan Police 2

On a very cold Saturday afternoon, Police midfielder Ron Edwards warmed up this Ryman Division One South clash with two great individual goals in the first half.

They secure a fifth successive win for the Police and, more importantly, another three valuable points to move them up towards the middle of the table.

With just 16 minutes gone, Edwards picked up a throughball, shrugged off a challenge and, with Eastbourne keeper Russell Tanner closing him down, calmly placed the ball just inside the far post from 18 yards out for the opening goal. The Police maintained the pressure and had a number of attacks that resulted in near misses.

Eastbourne Town were not to be outdone, testing Blues keeper Mo Maan, who made a number of good saves.

With four minutes remaining in the first half, a very good move resulted in the second goal for the visitors.

Defender Lee Gledhill crossed the ball well into the Eastbourne area. Gary Drewett controlled the ball before passing it backwards for Edwards to let fly with an 18-yard drive along the ground that went straight into the back of the net.

Into the second half and the game was constantly being interrupted by niggling fouls.

No quarter was asked or given. George Jermy finally managed to get a shot on target from 22 yards out, which was comfortably saved by Russell Tanner, the Eastbourne keeper.

Not to be outdone, the home team should have pulled a goal back on the counter-attack but James Fraser headed the cross well wide of the open goal.

Minutes later it was the turn again of Gledhill to send over a cross into the home side area.

Drewett and James Rose jumped to head the ball but were just inches away from it.

Police manager Jim Cooper brought on all three substitutes to relieve some of the pressure.

Laurent Hamici immediately began to cause problems for the Eastbourne defence with his attacking moves and close ball control.

Eastbourne to their credit never gave up the chase and were unlucky when a cross at chest height flew past the goal in a packed Police goal area and every one missed it. With the game into stoppage time, Drewett could have made it three for the Police.

Having done all the hard work with a forward run he volleyed the ball inches over the cross bar with the goal keeper stranded. A deserved win for the Police nevertheless.

NEXT GAMES

Tuesday, February 16 (7.45pm): Horsham YMCA v Metropolitan Police, Ryman FL Div One South

Wednesday, February 17 (7.30pm): Metropolitan Police v The Army, Representative match for the Grenadier Guards Cup

Saturday, February 20 (3pm): Metropolitan Police v Dulwich Hamlet, Ryman FL Div One South