East Preston crashed out of the Sussex County FA RUR Cup on Tuesday as Premier Division side Eastbourne Utd swept them with a second half performance.
Both sides came into the game with very opposite records, EP unbeaten in the Southern Combination Division One while Utd without a win in the top division after four games.
The home side started the brighter of the two teams but couldn’t find a way through. Against the run of play Eastbourne took the lead in the 32nd minute, a mistake from Coye Hastings let Gary Ingram in on goal who made no mistake to give the visitors the lead.
Jon Kusaka had a great chance to level the scores for the home side just before the break but couldn’t make the effort count and a slender half time lead for Eastbourne.
The visitors doubled their lead just before the hour mark as Luke Leppard headed a deep cross back across the keeper and into the net. Minutes later Utd struck the bar as their dominance started to take effect.
Another defensive error in the 72nd minute saw Eastbourne add a third goal, Charlie Ball rounding Tyler Pickering and slotting home into an empty net.
Ten minutes from time Ball notched his second and Utd’s fourth to complete the scoring and an emphatic looking scoreline to send the visitors into the next round of the competition.
EP will rue the missed chances before the opening goal was scored, but the experience running through the Eastbourne side proved too much in the end.
The home side head to Horsham YMCA on Saturday in the Isuzu FA Vase whilst Eastbourne host Peacehaven & Telscombe on Bank Holiday Monday (ko 11am).