Second in the Blue Square Premier League Kettering Town are the visitors to Priory Lane on Saturday (October 3) kick off 15.00 to take on Eastbourne Borough.

After 14 games the Poppies have accumulated 27 points with eight wins, three draws and three defeats.

Last season Kettering finished eighth and missed out on the BSP play-offs by a margin of five points. In 2007/08 they were runaway champions of Blue Square North, taking the automatic promotion place 17 points ahead of runners-up AFC Telford.

Kettering won 2-1 at Priory Lane last season - leading 2-0 before Paul Armstrong netted on 55 minutes.

At Rockingham Road in March, Borough came away with all three points thanks to a Nathan Crabb 78th minute strike, eight minutes after he had replaced on loan Sam Gargan.

This season the Poppies have had wins over Forest Greeen, Kidderminster, Wrexham, Altrincham, Gateshead, Barrow, Ebbsfleet and Hayes and Yeading.  Draws have come against Oxford, Luton and Mansfield and defeats suffered against Wimbledon, York and Crawley.

During the close season 22 year-old striker Moses Ashikodi arrived. He was Millwall's youngest player when making his debut at 15 years and 240 days. Ashikodi has represented England at Under 16, 17, 18 and 19 levels and played for West Ham, Glasgow Rangers, Watford and Hereford.

Other new faces in manager Mark Cooper's squad for this season are: 19 year-old Francis Green (forward), 28 year-old Damian Spencer described as "a towering, no nonsense centre forward", pacy 28 year old Damian Thomas and holding midfielder Patrick Noubisse.

Still with the Poppies are French striker Jean-Paul Marna who has scored 41 goals from 150 appearances for Kettering, notching 13 last season and five already this term;   influential midfielder Andre Boucaud - in his second spell with the club; giant defender and England "C" international Exodus Geohaghon who possesses one of the longest throw ins in the game.

Eastbourne Borough have taken 12 points from a possible 21 in home games, so far, this season. From the seven Priory Lane matches they have three wins (AFC Wimbledon, Barrow and Hayes and Yeading), three draws (Rushden and Diamonds, Chester and Tamworth) and a single defeat to Ebbsfleet who got the winner in a 2-1 success deep into injury time with Borough down to ten men.

Borough go into the Kettering fixtue in 15th. position in the Blue Square Premier with 16 points from 14 matches.

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BOROUGH "A"  FIXTURE CHANGE

This coming Saturday (October 3) Eastbourne Borough "A" will be away at Maresfield Village (14.00 kick off), this fixture replacing the originally scheduled Uckfield Town.

Something will have to give in this Mid Sussex League, Premier Divsion clash since Maresfield (3 wins) and Borough (2 wins)  both have a 100% record so far.

Last Saturday Borough "A" progressed to the 2nd round of the Mid Sussex Senior Charity Cup with a 9-0 win at Hartfield.

On Saturday October 10 Borough "A" are at Priory Lane, in League action, against Forest Row with a 14.00 kick off.

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ANOTHER WIN FOR UNDER 18's

Eastbourne Borough Under 18's continued their 100% winning start to the season with a Sussex Youth League, East Division 3-0 victory over Hailsham Town on Sunday, giving them a maximum nine points from three fixtures.

On Thursday (October 1) the Under 18's are away at Eastbourne Town (kick off 19.45) and on Sunday October 4. Crowborough Town - three wins in a row - are the visitors to Priory Lane kick off 11.00.

The Under 18"s have an F. A. Youth Cup, 2nd Qualifying Round match at Priory Lane on Tuesday October 6. kick off 19.45 against Chatham Town. Borough have reached this stage with wins over St. Francis Rangers 6-1 and Horley Town 4-1. Chatham knocked out Croydon 1-0 in the lst Qualifying Round.

Admission prices for the game are adult £3,  concession £2   and under 16  £1,

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Eastbourne Borough Reserves play their first away game since moving up to the Totesport Combination League next Monday (October 5) against Brentford Reserves at Griffin Park kick off 14.00. Borough started their Combination life with a 0-0 at Priory Lane against Millwall Reserves.

Due to a reversal of fixtures Crystal Palace Reserves will visit Priory Lane on Wednesday October 14. kick off 19.30 and Borough will travel to London - venue to be confirmed - on Wednesday November 18, kick off 19.00.

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