Bexhill United fought back to clinch a thrilling last-gasp 4-3 victory at high-flying Haywards Heath on Saturday in the SCFL premier division.
It’s only a matter of weeks ago that the Heathens looked like they were going to run away with the Southern Combination League title but football is a funny old game and a mixture of postponements, a very good run in the FA Vase and a wobble in form has seen Steyning overhaul them at the top of the table.
So Haywards Heath went into this fixture looking to get their title challenge back on track after losing on penalties the previous weekend to Stoneham in the Vase and going down to a league defeat at Peacehaven and Telscombe midweek.
For Bexhill, there were some significant personnel changes in the starting line-up. With keeper Toby Whiteside joining Theo Coombs on international duty for the British Virgin Islands, Finn Holter had been signed during the week to make a return for the club between the posts. Also making a welcome return was the imposing figure of Dan Rogers, rejoining skipper Richie Welch at the heart of the Pirates’ defence.
The home side certainly started on the front foot and after a few early warnings Bexhill found themselves a goal down when Harry Shooman stole some space at the far post to head home a well delivered cross from the right.
The Pirates went two behind after just eight minutes when a mix up at the back allowed Mark Goldson to nip through and stick the ball in the net.
Haywards Heath now had their tails up and were looking to kill the game and there followed a crucial period of play. Holter pulled off a series of saves and Goldson hit the frame of the goal with a decent strike. Somehow, the Pirates weathered the storm and started to break out themselves.
On 35 minutes some excellent work by Will Saunders on the right set up Jack Shonk with a great chance which rattled off the post at close range. It was the clearest warning that Bexhill were back at it and there was a real energy running through the team as they took the fight to their hosts.
Just before half-time, the goal Bexhill deserved came after Max Hollobone got forward from right back and sent the ball into the box for Ash Latuske to finish it off. It was a crucial time to score for the Pirates and set up the second half very nicely.
Attacking down the slope Bexhill were making good progress, with the ball over the top into Charlie Curran and Saunders causing real problems, but the equaliser would be another trademark special from Shonk. Picking up the ball just inside the opposition half Shonk looked up briefly, spotted Fuller off his line and lifted the ball a good fifty yards over his head and into the net.
Now it was game on and cracks were opening up in the Heath defensive lines. On the hour the Pirates turned the game on its head. A perfectly delivered Hollobone free-kick from the right found the hard-working Saunders and he glanced the ball into the net to make it 3-2.
It was an incredible turn around but there was still plenty of time left in the game and as the play surged from end to end. On 68 minutes some home side pressure resulted in a leveller from Lawson. With both sides going at it hammer and tongs, as the match reached its final moments of normal play, Heath saw a shot across goal bounce back off the post.
In truth, the majority of the Bexhill fans would have taken the final whistle there and then and headed back down to the coast with a hard-earned point in the bag.
The Pirates players had other ideas. With the remaining seconds ticking away Shonk turned provider, putting in a perfect cross which Latuske headed home for his second of the afternoon and the winner. Cue absolute mayhem as the players celebrated in the far corner of the pitch.
The final whistle brought an end to what was probably Bexhill’s finest performance of the season and left Haywards Heath wondering how they had let the game slip between their fingers. It was one mighty advert for Southern Combination League football and any neutrals present would have got much, much more than full value for their admission fee.
Bexhill are back home again on Saturday when they welcome Lingfield to the Polegrove for a 3pm kick-off.
