Baker's goal is collector's item for Borough

Baker’s first goal for ten years and only his 22nd in 792 appearances for the club was enough to decide a dismal game at Court Place Farm which lacked even a hint of the magic of the FA Cup.

There was nothing pretty about Baker’s goal as he bundled the ball over the line from close range but it may ultimately prove to be very significant for Borough’s bid to survive in Blue Square premier.

The performance was hardly convincing against a side from two divisions below Borough but the result was the only thing that mattered as far as Baker and his team-mates were concerned following a run of just one win in eight games which has seriously dented confidence.

Baker said: “I don’t normally go up for corners or free kicks but I just fancied that one and made a silly run forward.

“I don’t really have a clue what I am doing when I get in the opposition's box but the ball just fell for me and I got whatever I could on it to make it go in.

“Ben (Austin) said his header was going in anyway but I am definitely claiming it. I’ve got a video of the last time I scored and it is in black and white!

“Obviously I’m delighted to score but the most important thing was to win as it was a massive game for us the way the season has been going.

“It has been hard and confidence was already a little bit fragile so if we had gone out I think it would have knocked us for six.

“We’ve been so used to success over the years that it is hard to get your head round things when you are losing regularly and struggling to survive. At times in the changing rooms spirits have been tested and there have been a few little arguments so a game like this was crucial for us.”

The lack of confidence within the Borough side was all too clear to see during a dismal first half in which neither side appeared to be motivated by the prospect of a place in the first round proper.

It may have been different if Allan Tait had buried the only chance of the opening 45 minutes but he took too long after controlling Jay Lovett’s cross on his chest and Ryan Harrison blocked with his legs.

The home crowd were understandably less than impressed with the visitors and were talking confidently about causing an upset during half time only to have those hopes crushed straight after the restart.

Simon Wormull’s deep free kick found Austin completely unmarked and he headed back towards the far post where Baker arrived to add the faintest of touches with his chest.

That lifted Borough but they squandered two good chances to wrap the game up when Matt Crabb volleyed over and then Wormull scuffed a shot wide.

James Faulconbridge almost made them pay when he crashed a shot onto the underside of the bar from 25 yards and Mark Bell was unable to nod home the rebound.

Lyle Taylor should have added a second in the final minute when he shot weakly at Harrison from Crabb’s cut back but boss Garry Wilson was just relieved to avoid a potential banana skin.

He said: “We didn’t show any confidence in the first half which meant frustration started to creep in.

“We told them they had to believe in themselves at half time and getting the goal when we did certainly helped.

“It is difficult because if you are winning every week you automatically play with confidence but we haven’t been winning on a regular basis and it shows.

“But it is a win and that is the most important thing. Three years ago we were bouncing off the walls when we got to the first round and now we expect to get there so that just shows how far we have come.”

Borough are at home to Barrow in the first round.

Oxford City: Harrison, Salisbury, Davis, Gunn, Redknap (Pond, 82), Jackman, Gardner, Malone, Faulkner, Faulconbridge, Bell. Unused subs: Stewart, Rendell, Quegan, Rixon.

Eastbourne: Hook 6, Lovett 6, Baker 7, Austin 7, Jenkins 7, Wormull 6 (Harkin, 65, 6), Smart 6, Armstrong 6, M Crabb 6, Tait 6 (Taylor, 81), Atkin 5. Unused subs: Winterton, Budd, Harding.

Referee: S Martin (Stafford).

Attendance: 564 Man-of-the-match: Ben Austin.

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