Sevenoaks fight back late to earn point at Eastbourne

Eastbourne Town: Sonny James Walsh (6') Aaron Richard Anthony Capon (12')

Sevenoaks Town: Warren-Hughes Mfula (77') D. Duncanson (94')

Sevenoaks Town left it very late to rescue a point against Eastbourne Town, scoring deep into stoppage time to secure a 2–2 draw in an entertaining end-of-season clash at The Saffrons.

The hosts made a fast and aggressive start, immediately putting Sevenoaks under pressure. That intensity paid off early when Sonny Walsh opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes, giving Eastbourne the perfect platform. Sevenoaks barely had time to reset before things got worse, as Aaron Capon doubled the lead shortly after, finishing well to make it 2–0 and leave the visitors chasing the game from very early on.

At that stage, Eastbourne looked comfortable and in control, moving the ball well and limiting Sevenoaks’ attacking threat. The visitors struggled to build momentum in the first half, with clear chances hard to come by as the home side defended with discipline and confidence. Going into the break two goals down, Sevenoaks needed a response - both in energy and execution.

The second half told a very different story. Sevenoaks came out with more intent, gradually growing into the game and starting to apply pressure higher up the pitch. Their persistence paid off midway through the half when Warren Mfula found the net, pulling a goal back and giving the visitors a lifeline. That goal shifted the momentum, with Eastbourne suddenly forced onto the back foot as Sevenoaks pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

As the clock ticked down, the game became more stretched, with both sides making changes and trying to manage the final stages. Eastbourne looked to slow things down and protect their lead, while Sevenoaks continued to commit players forward, taking more risks as time ran out.

Those risks paid off in dramatic fashion deep into stoppage time. With almost the last kick of the game, Daniel Duncanson stepped up to score a crucial equaliser, snatching a point for Sevenoaks and silencing the home crowd. It was a moment that summed up their second-half determination and refusal to give up, even when the game seemed lost.

For Eastbourne, it will feel like two points dropped after such a strong start and a two-goal advantage. They controlled large parts of the first half and put themselves in a winning position, but couldn’t hold on under late pressure. For Sevenoaks, the late goal felt like a reward for their persistence and improved performance after the break.

In the end, both sides take a point, but the emotions will be very different. Eastbourne will reflect on what might have been, while Sevenoaks can take confidence from the way they fought back and kept going until the very end.