Bexhill celebrate dramatic late winner

Bexhill United Football Club preserved its interest in this season's knockout competitions with a dramatic victory on Tuesday night.
Craig Ottley scored a brace of free kicks in Bexhill United's 3-2 victory over Seaford Town. Picture courtesy Mark KillyCraig Ottley scored a brace of free kicks in Bexhill United's 3-2 victory over Seaford Town. Picture courtesy Mark Killy
Craig Ottley scored a brace of free kicks in Bexhill United's 3-2 victory over Seaford Town. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

Craig Ottley’s added time put Bexhill through to the Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One Challenge Cup quarter-finals after they had earlier seen a two-goal lead cancelled out.

Bexhill were missing around eight players and travelled along the coast with just 12 men, but produced their best first half performance for a long time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ottley put them ahead with a powerful 30-yard free kick which the Seaford goalkeeper could only palm into the roof of the net.

Corey Wheeler netted Bexhill United's second goal against Seaford Town.Corey Wheeler netted Bexhill United's second goal against Seaford Town.
Corey Wheeler netted Bexhill United's second goal against Seaford Town.

Only a goal-line clearance after Corey Wheeler scooped the ball over the goalkeeper prevented the visitors being further ahead at the break.

Bexhill were fantastic in the second half and doubled their advantage through a lovely finish by Wheeler after a neat bit of play on the edge of the box.

Bexhill looked firmly in control of an enjoyable game to watch, but their former player David Pugh pulled one back with Seaford’s first real shot of the second half.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The visitors wobbled for the next five or 10 minutes and Seaford’s sudden pressure resulted in Pugh scoring an 88th minute equaliser.

With extra-time looming, Bexhill midfielder Kyle Holden beat several players before being brought down just outside the area and Ottley smashed the resulting free kick into the top corner.

The game ended on a bit of a sour note with an ambulance being called for a Seaford player following an accidental collision with Bexhill goalkeeper Dan Rose.

Bexhill’s reward is a last eight trip to Langney Wanderers on a date to be announced.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bexhill: Rose; Robertson, A. Trickett, McFarlane, Ottley; Gouet, Holden, B. Trickett, Giles (Miah), Wheeler; Cuddington.

See our comprehensive sports coverage in the Observer every Friday.Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.1 Make this website your homepage2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!