Four-star Bexhill see off Seaford

Having won 3-2 in a Macron Store Combination Football League Division One Challenge Cup second round tie there on October 25, the Pirates returned on Saturday to secure a 4-1 victory in the league.

After the late drama of the cup game when Craig Ottley scored a last gasp winner, this was a more routine success as Bexhill struck twice in either half before Seaford nabbed a consolation.

Bexhill joint manager Ryan Light said: "All in all it was a really good, solid performance and a performance of real maturity from such a young side."

Strong, disciplined and well-organised, Bexhill matched Seaford's enthusiasm during the first 15 minutes and once they gained a foothold in the game, the visitors proceeded to dominate in every department.

Seaford were playing quite long with the wind at their backs, which allowed Bexhill to keep regaining possession. The visitors opened the scoring in the 18th minute when a neat interchange led to Billy Trickett being put through and he found the bottom corner.

Bexhill doubled their advantage with a lovely goal in the 36th minute. Georges Gouet travelled across the area from the right and with the goalkeeper coming out to narrow the angle, the winger wrong-footed the defence with a lovely backheel and Gordon Cuddington fired past the two men on the line.

Trickett scored his second of the game - and indeed the season - to put Bexhill further ahead on the hour. Ottley slipped in Wayne Giles with a cleverly-worked free kick and the latter's cross was rather flapped at by the goalkeeper under pressure and Trickett was on hand to turn the ball in.

Bexhill then began to open Seaford up at will with some expansive football as they swept the ball across the pitch. Matt Cunnington had three attempts within a minute of coming on as a substitute and it seemed only a matter of time before Bexhill scored again.

Their fourth goal finally arrived in the 85th minute. The outstanding Kyle Holden, who was like a little warrior in midfield, went round two opponents before bursting into the box and finishing coolly to become Bexhill's 14th different scorer this term.

Seaford pulled one back a couple minutes later. A mishit free kick from around 40 yards out wrong-footed everyone and was eventually hooked in at the far post by Sam Pout.

Bexhill: Rose; Robertson, Kidman, McFarlane (Butchers), Ottley; Gouet, Holden, B. Trickett, Giles (Butchers), Wheeler (Cunnington); Cuddington.

Southern Combination League Division One top six (played-points): 1 Saltdean United 16-36, 2 LITTLE COMMON 16-32, 3 Steyning Town 17-32, 4 Mile Oak 16-31, 5 East Preston 14-30, 6 BEXHILL UNITED 17-27.

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