CHARLIE CURRAN bagged a last-gasp winner for Bexhill United at Crawley Down Gatwick as they maintained their superb start to the league campaign.
It was a bit of a relief for United to get back to league action on the first Saturday in September after a couple of cup exits and a weekend off since their last Southern Combination outing.
It was a chance for the manager and players to pick up where they left off. After a string of fixtures along the south coast, the journey now led them deep into the Sussex hinterland for a clash with one of their most northerly opponents – Crawley Down Gatwick.
Once again, Pirates gaffer Jay Skinner-Swain had pretty much a full squad to call on and fielded a strong side in the warm early autumn sunshine.
After a strong campaign last term, Crawley Down have had a tricky start to the new season compared to Bexhill’s unbeaten opening run, but both sides started brightly on a fine playing surface that had benefitted from the rainfall over the previous week.
The Anvils have plenty of height in their side and came close to opening the scoring on the half-hour when a ball into the box was nodded down and their striker whacked a half-volley against the underside of the bar. Fortunately for Bexhill, the bounce was kind, and they were able to clear their lines.
As the play surged up and down the park, Bexhill created a number of good chances. Theo Coombs pulled a shot wide as the goal beckoned and Jack Shonk failed to capitalise on a couple of opportunities that fell his way.
But approaching half-time it was centre-back Dan Rogers who opened the scoring after some fine work by Coombs set him up to nod home.
The start to the second half was tentative. Max Hollobone had a good chance to double the Bexhill lead but his header went just over the bar. Crawley Down had a number of raids on the Bexhill area and on the 80th minute their star striker Oli Leslie, top scorer in the league last season, cut in from the right and slammed an angled shot into the far corner giving Stef Akras no chance in the Pirates goal .
It heralded in a lively end to the game and, with neither side looking to sit back for the point and with loads of extras added on, it was nearly five o’clock when Charlie Curran slotted in what would prove to be the Bexhill winner.
Ryan Moir had been impressive again for the whole match but in the dying minutes he picked up the ball again down the left, beat his man and placed a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Curran to slot home.
Another three points for Bexhill that leaves them unbeaten and fourth in the league with a game in hand on most of their rivals. Next up is another knockout game on Tuesday night (Sept 9) with a tasty local derby in the Sussex Senior Cup away at local rivals Little Common.
