So for the second Saturday in a row, no football. Jack Frost hadn't just settled but had moved his entire family down south. Not one local game survived the freeze, so what is any right minded football fan to do? Look no further than Facebook! Yes, there is an application on the social networking site to make your own team. With a few invites sent, there were suddenly a glut of local teams to challenge. My first venture resulted in a 5-0 thrashing by Crazy Paving FC, managed by one Colin Hayes, a Boro fan. What puzzled me though was Colin is also one of my midfielders. Odd. Next up was a team called Chelsea, managed by Laurence, once again a fellow Boro fan, but my boys, the Boro Eagles saw them off 3-0. I was now in the swing of things and challenged one Kieran Ridley, Lewes FC blogger. Three games saw Boro Eagles score 13 and concede two! I then had to break it to Kieran, that he was actually one of my star players! I was delighted with Jack Davies' commitment and the plethora of goals but he must calm down a bit. With five yellow cards, I don't know whether Facebook implement the one match ban. I think Jack has been training with Jenks! I know little things please little minds but it gave us soccer nuts one form of footy!

So to the first game of the new year at the Lane. Sussex Senior Cup. With a semi final spot the reward, Garry and Nick put out a very strong starting 11 to face Crowborough. The Crows arrived having dispensed with the services of their manager and subsequently half a dozen first team players had walked out (odd how some were seen drinking at the bar at Priory Lane on the night!) To their credit, our Sussex neighbours tried to play and never let their heads drop but Eastbourne were quite simply too strong. Three goals in the first six minutes set the tone and by the end of the 90 it was a record home win at the Lane of 11-1. I think the home fans were very polite in the fact that the more that went in, the quieter the cheers became. It was very amusing as the tenth went in, as nearly every fan near me immediately looked to the score board. with baited breath we waited, and waited, and waited. No change! Still read 9-1. It was the first time double figures had been reached since the score board was installed, and it only goes to nine! I don't think we need to rush and replace as this really was a one off!

It was also refreshing to see a couple of new faces in the first team squad make their bows. Simon Johnson, just 17 years old came on for the second half and slotted home a penalty. And we were also treated to the sight of a certain Idalio Santo. Regular bloggers will re-call the Hastings friendly from last year when I reported on a player called Xantos. Yes, you remember, came on and lasted 30 seconds before injury! Well I asked back then would we see him again, and here he was, squad number 36 and what a livewire. Some nice touches and telling dashes could keep him in the frame.

And on the subject of young Simon, I would like to congratulate him on his call up to the England Schools Under-18s. Local lad from Hailsham that has come through the ranks at Eastbourne. Well done to you Simon, and I am sure all Sports fans wish you well in the International Arena Forest Green await us on Saturday and with Eastbourne sitting proud in 12th spot (thank you Oxford) we must come home with points in the bag and make sure the teams below us stay there. I have a good feeling at the moment, and hope it lasts til 4.45pm on the 17th. See you all next week.