The road to Ecmod

Eastbourne has one of England's more unusual street names, a short road on the outskirts of the town being called Ecmod Road. Those looking for the settlement to which this road may lead will search in vain: it is an abbreviation for Eastbourne Corporation Motor Omnibus Department. In 1903, Eastbourne was the first town in England to have a municipal bus service, and to commemorate this, the burghers named a road in its honour.

I have always enjoyed visiting Eastbourne, it was the nearest resort to where I grew up, and the only town on the coast with a direct bus service from East Grinstead. My mother preferred to take me there in the summer, although I saw a few hardy families on this visit well wrapped up against the weather. There is something to be said for fish and chips in the teeth of a howling gale, although when the proprietor of the shop on the Pier asked me whether I would be eating my haddock indoors or taking away, I decided her tables looked more inviting than doing battle with the wind and seagulls outside.

Eastbourne Town play at The Saffrons, a large sports field shared with cricket, hockey and bowls, with each sport having their own pavilion facilities, although the hockey club has the best bar. From the sign over the football club turnstiles, it appears the ground was laid out for sport on the eve of the First World War.

Snow had been forecast, but it did not materialise as more than a few flakes. I had been expecting a wind whipping off the sea, but found something colder, wind coming off the land. For the first half Dulwich were playing towards the Meads Road end, which is completely open. My running gloves do not have much effect in this weather, but my proper gloves do not give the fngertip control you need to take pictures.

This was my first sight of the new away kit, sponsored by the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Trust.

Nyren Clunis in the new kit - tasteful and well stitched

The goalkeeper's kit looked a bit shiny, I was a bit concerned what might happen to the electricity supply if he were to accidentally touch the goalpost.

Phil Wilson

I did not think to go down the pitch for a warm, and to get some of the players from an angle where I could see their numbers. As this is only the second time I have watched Dulwich Hamlet this season, I only know the players who have been in the side for some time, for the rest I rely on catching them with their back to me - numbers on the front of shirts, you know it makes sense.

Eastbourne's seats take up the full width of what may be called the pavilion end, so for the second half I took up a position by the corner flag, the stand providing some shelter from the wind. The floodlights were switched on for the last 20 minutes or so, although I am not sure why, it did not seem that dark, sunset was not until about 5.20, and I saw no need to bring to mind my little diagrams. I think an EvoStik League referee would have been content with natural light throughout, and they use the white ball all year. It's grim up north.

Xavier Vidal, pictured towards the end of the game

Having watched Prescot Cables playing well over the last few weeks but not producing the goods in front of goal, I was looking forward to a more assured performance from Dulwich Hamlet, on a 20 game unbeaten run in all competitions. It was just my luck that I found a Dulwich side struggling to cope with a bumpy pitch that did not suit their passing game against an in form Eastbourne side who ended up 2-0 winners. Meanwhile, back in Prescot, the hard work of the previous few weeks paid off, with a 3-2 win against Lancaster City.

A few days after commenting that almost all footballers place the dead ball in a way to risk putting their backs out, even with something as light as a football, here is Erhun Öztümer using his knees as recommended by the ergonomics people - not only knocking in the goals both from set pieces and open play, but demonstrating best practices for back health too!

Erhun places the ball ...

... and takes the corner

After the game, it was off to the Counting House in the Old Town (much nearer the station than I thought), which, unusually for a pub in the Good Beer Guide, had only one real ale on. This was a most acceptable Signature, from the 1648 Brewing Co., so called because the King's Head in East Hoathly, where the brewery is located, owns a copy of the death warrant of King Charles I.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.