Glen Robertson takes a look at Darlington's opponents tomorrow...
This season
Fans of high-scoring football will love Eastbourne Borough. They are the highest scorers so far in the Blue Square Premier League with 14 goals in their six games, but only Kidderminster Harriers and Hayes & Yeading (both 15) have conceded more than Borough (13). Their attitude seems to be akin to Kevin Keegan's Newcastle in the mid 90s of "we'll score one more than you" but they have only managed two victories so far (5-0 against Hayes and 4-3 against Wrexham). Last Monday they fell 2-0 to Cambridge United - the first time they failed to hit the net - for their third defeat. They lie in 14th on seven points.
Last season
After comfortably surviving their first season in the division in 2008/09, Eastbourne found last year much tougher. They needed an 84th-minute penalty on the last day to see off Oxford United 1-0 in dramatic circumstances to avoid the drop by just one point.
Recent Meetings
'Non-League Day' brings the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
Manager
Garry Wilson
When he became Borough manager in 1999, the club were known as Langney Sports and played in the Sussex County League. Eleven years on, the name has changed, players and divisions have come and gone but Wilson, and his number two Nick Greenwood, remain in charge. In the top five divisions, only Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have been at their clubs longer. As a player, Wilson played in the lower leagues in both Scotland and England before a serious leg injury ended his career while playing for Hastings. He spent three years managing Hastings before taking up the reins at Priory Lane.
Players to Watch
Rikki Banks
Signed from Lewes in the summer after being named player of the year for the Rooks last season, shot-stopper Banks has had a difficult start to the season. Mistakes against AFC Wimbledon, coupled with 13 goals conceded, have seen some Priory Lane members question his place in the team. He has hit back at the criticism from supporters in the local press and will be looking to prove it on the field against the Quakers. The 'keeper started at Crystal Palace, before having spells at Crawley, Hendon and Worthing.
Gary Elphick
The defender didn't find the net once in his first year for Borough yet netted three times in the opening three games this season. His presence at set pieces will be a huge threat but the 24-year-old will be looking to tighten things up at the back. Brighton, St. Albans, Aldershot and Havant & Waterlooville are Elphick's previous clubs in his seven-year career.
Simon Weatherstone
A midfielder with a goal threat and nerves of steel, Weatherstone has notched three times this year, including twice from the penalty spot against Wrexham, the second of which was a 91st-minute winner. The 30-year-old has made over 350 appearances for Oxford, Boston, Yeovil, Hornchurch, Stevenage, Weymouth, Crawley and Eastbourne.
Team News
Leading scorer Richard Pacquette and midfielder Matt Crabb face late fitness tests for the encounter. Pacquette missed the defeat to Cambridge with a hamstring injury while Crabb suffered a dead leg in that Bank Holiday clash. Simon Johnson is expected to miss out again with a shin injury.
