Eastbourne Borough Travel to Dagenham for Vital National League South Clash

Key Points

• Eastbourne Borough seek their first points of 2026 in a National League South match against Dagenham & Redbridge at Victoria Road.
• Borough suffered a late 2-1 defeat to Farnborough at Connect Management Stadium on Saturday, with Maxwell Mullins scoring his first goal for the club on 17 minutes.
• Tommy Reid made a key save from debutant Adam May before Farnborough equalised through Toby Bower and won with Ollie Robinson’s stoppage-time goal from Billy Clifford’s free-kick.
• Eastbourne Borough remain in 23rd place, seven points from safety after Saturday’s results.
• Dagenham & Redbridge sit 14th on 36 points under manager Lee Bradbury, following a 1-0 loss to Ebbsfleet United where Dominic Samuel scored and Ben Coker missed a penalty.
• Daggers ended 2025 with a 4-1 win over Chelmsford City but then lost 1-0 to Hemel Hempstead, Salisbury, and Wealdstone in the FA Trophy.
• Dagenham recently beat Dover Athletic 2-0 with goals from Dylan Stephenson and Kayden Harrack before their Ebbsfleet setback.
• In their November reverse fixture, Dagenham came from behind to win, with Pemi Aderoju scoring for Borough, Trent Rendall equalising, and Andy Carroll heading the winner.

Eastbourne, East Sussex (East London Times) January 27, 2026 – Eastbourne Borough face a crucial National League South clash against Dagenham & Redbridge tonight at Victoria Road, desperate for their first points of the calendar year after another heartbreaking late defeat at home. The Sports, managed by Tommy Widdrington, were pegged back and beaten 2-1 by Farnborough on Saturday, slipping further into relegation peril seven points from safety in 23rd place. Dagenham, under Lee Bradbury, sit mid-table on 36 points in 14th but seek consistency after recent mixed results, including a narrow loss at Ebbsfleet United.

What Happened in Borough’s Latest Defeat?

Eastbourne Borough appeared poised for a vital point against Farnborough at Connect Management Stadium until stoppage time cruelty struck again. Maxwell Mullins netted his maiden goal for the club on 17 minutes, capitalising after Tommy Reid produced an excellent save to deny debutant Adam May. Tommy Widdrington’s side created further chances, with Archy Taylor and Gold Omotayo missing opportunities to extend the lead, as reported in the match preview from the club’s official channels.​

Farnborough levelled when Toby Bower finished from a tight angle, setting up a tense finale. Just as a draw seemed likely, Billy Clifford’s free-kick found Ollie Robinson at the far post, who bundled home in the first minute of added time to seal a 2-1 victory for the visitors. This result leaves Borough winless in 2026, rooted to 23rd spot ahead of their midweek trip to Essex.

How Are Dagenham & Redbridge Placed in the Table?

Lee Bradbury’s Dagenham & Redbridge occupy 14th position with 36 points as the Enterprise National League South season nears its business end. The Daggers showed promise by finishing 2025 in style, thrashing Chelmsford City 4-1 at Victoria Road. However, consistency has eluded them, with back-to-back 1-0 league defeats to Hemel Hempstead and Salisbury, plus a similar exit to Wealdstone in the FA Trophy.

They broke their early 2026 duck seven days ago with a 2-0 home win over Dover Athletic, courtesy of second-half strikes from Dylan Stephenson and Kayden Harrack. That momentum stalled on Saturday with a 1-0 reversal at Ebbsfleet United in Kent, where Dominic Samuel’s first-half goal proved decisive. Ben Coker missed a second-half penalty that might have made the scoreline more comfortable for Ebbsfleet, according to post-match analysis from Dagenham’s coverage.

What Was the Outcome of the Reverse Fixture?

When the sides met at the start of November at Connect Management Stadium, Dagenham & Redbridge emerged 2-1 victors after a second-half turnaround. Pemi Aderoju had given Eastbourne Borough the lead, only for Trent Rendall to equalise on the hour mark. Andy Carroll then headed home a late winner to secure all three points for the visitors, a result that highlighted Borough’s vulnerability at the back.

This preview from Eastbourne Borough FC’s official site underscores the challenge ahead, noting Dagenham’s ability to come from behind in that encounter. Tommy Widdrington’s charges will need to shore up defensively if they are to avoid a repeat on Dagenham’s home turf.

Who Are the Key Players to Watch?

For Eastbourne Borough, Maxwell Mullins’ breakthrough goal offers hope after a tough start to life at the club. Tommy Reid’s goalkeeping heroics, including the save from Adam May, kept his side in front for over 70 minutes against Farnborough. Archy Taylor and Gold Omotayo spurned chances to kill the game, putting pressure on Widdrington to sharpen finishing in training.

Dagenham boast experience in Andy Carroll, whose headed winner in November proved decisive, and recent scorers Dylan Stephenson and Kayden Harrack against Dover. Dominic Samuel’s strike at Ebbsfleet shows their threat upfront, while Ben Coker’s penalty miss highlights areas for improvement. Lee Bradbury will demand more from his side as they chase consistency into the season’s home straight.

Why Is This Match Crucial for Eastbourne Borough?

Sitting seven points from safety in 23rd, Eastbourne Borough cannot afford further dropped points if relegation is to be avoided. The late heartache against Farnborough – the second such blow in recent weeks – has intensified the pressure on Tommy Widdrington. A trip to Victoria Road represents a stern test, but three points could ignite a survival push.

As detailed in the official preview, Borough have shown glimpses of quality, like Mullins’ opener and Reid’s saves, but defensive lapses at key moments have cost dearly. Neutral observers note that while Dagenham are mid-table, their inconsistency – three 1-0 losses in a row before Dover – offers Borough a window.

What Recent Form Defines Dagenham’s Campaign?

Dagenham & Redbridge’s season has been a tale of highs and lows under Lee Bradbury. The 4-1 demolition of Chelmsford capped 2025 positively, yet narrow defeats followed: 1-0 to Hemel Hempstead, Salisbury, and Wealdstone. The 2-0 win over Dover provided relief, with Stephenson and Harrack on target, before Ebbsfleet’s Samuel ended that run.

On 36 points in 14th, Bradbury’s men seek rhythm as playoffs fade and relegation battles elsewhere intensify. Their November win at Borough demonstrates capability against bottom-six sides, but Saturday’s penalty miss by Coker exposed fragility.

How Does the National League South Stand?

The Enterprise National League South table paints a picture of tight margins, with Eastbourne Borough adrift in 23rd, seven points shy of salvation post-Farnborough result. Dagenham’s 14th-placed 36 points reflect solidity without sparkle, per the preview data. As the home straight looms, results like Ebbsfleet’s narrow win and Borough’s late collapse underline the stakes.

Fixtures like tonight’s could reshape the bottom half, with Borough needing points urgently and Dagenham aiming to climb.

What Are the Tactical Battles to Expect?

Tommy Widdrington will likely prioritise defensive resilience after Bower and Robinson exploited gaps against Farnborough. Gold Omotayo and Archy Taylor must convert chances, while Tommy Reid faces tests from Samuel and Carroll. Lee Bradbury may lean on Rendall’s midfield nous and Stephenson’s finishing to control proceedings at Victoria Road.

The November clash showed Dagenham’s second-half strength, overturning Aderoju’s opener via Rendall and Carroll. Borough cannot relent for 90 minutes.

Where Can Fans Follow the Action?

Supporters can track live updates via the National League South’s official channels or club social media. Victoria Road hosts this midweek encounter, with Eastbourne Borough’s preview urging fans to back the Sports in their quest for points. Post-match reactions from Widdrington and Bradbury will provide further insight.

In summary of the preview narrative, this fixture pits desperation against drift in a league where every point counts. Eastbourne Borough’s resolve meets Dagenham & Redbridge’s resolve for rhythm – a classic National League South showdown.