Saturday 12th December. Seems a long time ago doesn't it?
For that was the time the Town were last in action as they were sent packing from the FA Trophy following a 3-1 defeat against Cambridge United in the Abbey Stadium.
Since then Hatters fans have seen two games called off due to the heavy snowfall and eaten their own body weight in turkey and mince pies. Now, finally they can show off their new away shirts and scarves and sit back and watch their side in action for the first time in over two weeks as Eastbourne Borough are the visitors to Kenilworth Road for this festive fixture.
Eastbourne were in action on Boxing Day as they drew 2-2 at Crawley so the Town might be fresher but they need to guard against complacency against a Boro side who excelled in their first campaign in the Conference last year, despite their current lowly position in the league.
EASTBOURNE: FORM GUIDE
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Sports arrive at Kenilworth Road in dire need of the points. Despite being unbeaten in their last five league games, cup victories apart, Garry Wilson's side have failed to taste success in their previous 12 Blue Square Premier fixtures stretching back to a 3-1 win over Hayes & Yeading at Priory Lane back on 22nd September.
Of those 12 matches Boro have drawn seven of them including their last five. Their last two matches have ended 2-2 against Crawley and Cambridge while 1-1 draws against Hayes & Yeading, Histon and Mansfield make up their five-match unbeaten stretch.
On the road the Sports have only one once and that was a fine 2-0 victory at Kidderminster Harriers on 5th September.
It is the first time the two sides have met so it's a step into the unknown for both sides this afternoon.
TEAM NEWS:
Hatters: Richard Money has no fresh injury worries as his side go into the game fresh after games against Forest Green and Histon had been called off. Goalkeeper Mark Tyler and striker Liam Hatch remain sidelined so Kevin Pilkington will continue in goal. Despite the unavailability of Hatch and Tyler the Town boss has plenty of options to choose from.
Eastbourne
IN FOCUS:
Nickname: Sports
Manager: Garry Wilson
Ground: Langley Sports Ground
Last season: Conference 13th
2008/09 average attendance: 1,344
Pre-2009/10 BSP title odds: 50/1
Previous meetings: None
Recent history:
Last season Garry Wilson led the Sports to an unprecedented 13th place in the Conference following their elevation from the Conference South in 2007/08.
Eastbourne were playing County League football as late as 2000 under the name Langley Sports before their climb up the pyramid.
After being renamed in 2001 the club won promotion from the Southern League East Division in 2002/03 before the non-league's restructuring the following season saw the Sports line-up in a newly formed Conference South in 2004/05.
Their rise to today's position among the top 24 Non-League sides in the country could have come earlier had Altrincham not beaten them in a North v South play-off final in 2005/06.
FACT: While the Hatters were winning the Littlewoods Cup with victory over Arsenal in 1988, Eastbourne - then known as Langley Sports - were lifting the Sussex County League Division 2 title.
Official website: www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk
LIVE & ONLINE: Can't get to the game? Remember lutontown.co.uk will have all the action as it unfolds. Hatters Player will have live commentary plus all the reaction following today's game.
TICKETS: Not got a ticket but still fancy coming tonight? Fear not. Tickets are avaialble at the ticket office or, if you're lating coming, you can pay on the turnstile.
WANNA BET? Our official online bookmakers bet365 have priced the Hatters as the favourites to pick up three points this evening. For more information and prices click here.
