Bexhill celebrate first league win

First half goals from Georges Gouet and Jacob Shelton put the Pirates on course for a 2-1 victory away to Ringmer in Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One.

Joint manager Ryan Light said: "It's always important to get that first three points on the board, however it comes.

"First half we were excellent; probably the best we've played since we (Light and fellow joint manager Nigel Kane) have been at the club football-wise. We played some fantastic football on an horrendous surface."

Two Bexhill players twisted their ankles on holes on a pitch which Light considered 'bordering on dangerous' and he expressed his concerns about the surface to the match referee.

Nevertheless, Bexhill passed the ball well right from the start and opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Gouet drilled in a cross-cum-shot from out wide which the goalkeeper couldn't deal with and the ball squirmed through his legs.

Bexhill doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time. Billy Trickett went down the left and fired the ball across. The goalkeeper half-saved it and Shelton was on hand to convert the rebound from close range.

It was Bexhill's fifth goal of the new season and all of them have been scored by different players.

Light felt that Bexhill ought to have put the game to bed by half time having carved out a number of chances.

A Ringmer side which drew its opening league game three days previously gave it a good go with the aid of the Caburn Ground's renowned slope during the second period.

Bexhill defended well until conceding what Light considered a bit of a soft goal in the 70 minute. After Bexhill gave the ball away in the middle of the pitch, Ringmer attacked down the right and a cross to the far post was headed home by the unmarked Matt Sellick.

That made for a more uncomfortable finish than Bexhill thought it should've been, but the visitors stood firm and fashioned a couple of good opportunities of their own on the break towards the end.

Kyle Holden, Gouet and Trickett were all outstanding in midfield for a Bexhill side which again displayed tremendous energy.

Bexhill: Rose; Robertson, Kidman, McFarlane, Ottley; Gouet, B. Trickett, Holden, Cuddington, Giles (Wheeler); Shelton. Subs not used: A. Trickett, Rai, Butchers, McKenzie.

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