The sun was shining on a lovely bank holiday Monday and there was no better way to spend it than watching some local non-league football. Bexhill United were looking to pick up any form of result after their difficult start to the season, while Eastbourne United were looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season. All signs were pointing to an entertaining game.
Eastbourne United started as the dominant side, forcing Fin Holter into action multiple times early on. Bexhill however could only find a few half chances from crosses that were easily defended by the Eastbourne back line. The home side were really pushing for the opener, and they should’ve had it after a slipped through ball found their left winger in acres of space, but his curled effort sailed over the bar. Not much was ticking for Bexhill in the final third so far, but they had a great opportunity to go ahead after a late challenge on the edge of the box presented them with a freekick in a dangerous position. A disappointing delivery was headed away. After a slow start, Bexhill were starting to find their feet and drag the game in their favour with some lovely football. Fabulous hold up play from James Stone saw a difficult side foot volley drift past the post, before quick feet in the box from Ollie Hull saw his shoot smashed against the woodwork. The home side were looking to create opening from through balls to their wingers, but so far the Pirates had defended them brilliantly. 30 minutes had been played and Bexhill were now dominating and should’ve been ahead. A few sliced efforts and drilled volleys from both sides missed the target to keep the score at 0-0. Minutes later a long ball into the Bexhill box isn’t dealt with by the centre back and he looks to have brought his man down, but the referee waves play on, the ball landed in the box perfectly for their number 8 to toe home. An extremely poor and scrappy goal to concede after Bexhill had started to dominate. There was no reaction from Bexhill after the goal and Eastbourne looked extremely dangerous over the last 15 minutes of the half. More slipped passes down the wings saw some big chances missed before a dinked cross from Eastbourne’s number 8 fell to their number 9 who smashed his shot into the roof of the net. 2-0 Eastbourne on the brink of half time. Bexhill had a lot of work to do in the second half if they wanted to get anything from the game.
The second half started with a substitution for Bexhill, Fin Holter was replaced by Stefanos Akras due to what looked like a slight shoulder injury. The Pirates came out fighting and looking hungry for some goals. Jamal Labanga was having a brilliant game down the right-hand side, firing crosses into the danger area and ones which should’ve been converted but the score remained 2-0 so far. More brilliant play from Labanga and Charlie Curran down the right-hand side saw two huge chances missed. The first saw Curran’s cross skim off the cross bar before the follow up was blocked by the Eastbourne centre back from close range to maintain their clean sheet. There was about 30 minutes left and Bexhill needed a goal if they wanted to take any points home. After multiple goal-line clearances, Bexhill found themselves on the counter. Clever little passes between the forwards and midfielders gave Brad Pritchard a chance to carry the ball forward and play a tricky reverse through ball into Jack Shonk who placed his shot under the keeper and into the bottom corner like James Maddison against Bournemouth last weekend. There was no darts celebration, but we can forgive him for that one as Bexhill wanted to restart as quickly as possible to find an equaliser. The next 10 minutes were cagey as Eastbourne tried to slow the game down and stamp out all of Bexhill’s momentum. There were hardly any chances for either side apart from a few more crosses from Labanga which couldn’t be turned towards goal. There was around 15 minutes left to play and Bexhill had somehow found another gear. Ollie Hull found himself at right wing and produced a magnificent cross to Jack Shonk, but his free header crashed into the side netting. A huge chance which should’ve been taken. Minutes later Bexhill were punished for their missed chances. A ball rolled back to the edge of the area was bent past Stefanos Akras to restore Eastbourne’s two goal cushion. Bitterly, disappointing for Bexhill as they looked almost certain to find an equaliser. The Pirates didn’t give up by more missed chances from both sides kept the score at 3-1 as the referee blew the full-time whistle. A deserved win for Eastbourne but the 3-1 scoreline didn’t do the Bexhill performance justice.
Louis Selling – Bexhill College