Bexhill United paid a heavy price for a slow and disorganised start to their away league fixture with Forest Row at the Three Bridges ground as they slipped to a 4-1 defeat.
The newly-promoted hosts have shown themselves to be no mugs so far this season. They sat just above Bexhill in the upper reaches of the SCFL table at the start of play and they came out the blocks looking sharp, pushing the Pirates onto the back foot.
Row went ahead on three minutes from a set-piece when big centre-half Calum Donaghey rose unchallenged at the back post to nod it across the box for Daniel Perry to finish with ease. Eight minutes later they made it two, thanks to some poor clearance play which invited Forest Row pressure and the Pirates paid the price as Tommy Seale notched.
The third goal from the home side was a beautiful strike by Arron Hopkinson, who cut inside to place his shot into the top corner of the net from distance.
Bexhill at last sprang to life, although the travelling supporters feared they had left it far too late. However, a goal before the break would at least give them a puncher’s chance. It was Dan Rogers who came closest with one opportunity from a header and another from a shot which cannoned off the bar.
Bexhill looked better after the break and stepped up their game. It was a trade mark Jack Shonk free-kick from outside the box that got them on the scoresheet. It gave Forest Row something to think about and injected some fresh energy into the play.
The outcome was decided around the 80-minute mark. Shonk had a great chance to make it three two, which may have really shifted the momentum in the closing period of the game, but saw his shot fly over. Minutes later it was done and dusted when another decent finish, this time from Kieron Pamment, put Forest Row out of sight.
Bexhill still managed to carve out a couple of late chances to make the final score a little more respectable, but it wasn’t to be and the home side marched on to chalk up their third league win on the bounce. They have assembled a solid, experienced squad and show every sign of being real contenders this term.
