Bexhill United enjoyed success on the road as they beat Midhurst and Easebourne 5-0 thanks to a storming second-half performance.
Midhurst and Easebourne is one of the longest league journeys that Bexhill have to make in the Southern Combination and, fresh from the Easter Monday Derby victory over Little Common, the club were in good spirits as players and fans travelled out towards the West Sussex border.
The Stags have been on a poor run of form, with only one win in six, that has seen them plunge to just above the relegation battle.
However, they probably did enough earlier in the season to secure their premier status although, mathematically, Lancing could still overhaul them.
Bexhill are locked into ninth place and cannot go either higher or lower, but boss Jay Skinner-Swain has made it clear that he wants to target the maximum points total with a view to ending the season on a high in preparation for next term.
So this game was far from a dead rubber. The Rotherfield is a classic old school County League ground but from the works going on it is clear that the club are planning for the future. One particular distinguishing feature is the curvaceous playing surface which, along with a strong and gusty wind, would play a significant role in the game ahead.
The Stags had the advantage of the conditions in the first half and Bexhill found it hard to get their pressing game going with passes going astray and the home side having them pinned back for significant periods.
Finn Holter in the Bexhill goal was probably the most important player on the pitch in the first 45 minutes making a series of crucial saves, and, along with the experienced and tireless Dale Penn, directing the young Bexhill defensive lines. Mardy Ovenden, Callum Brand and Harry Marchant all put in strong performances.
If Midhurst had gone in at the break with a lead it would have been a fair reflection on the game but the Pirates held out to keep it 0-0. It would prove to be decisive. The second half was a whole different matter with Bexhill finding the conditions far more favourable to their style of play.
The opening goal was coming and on ten minutes a chance fell to top-scorer Jack Shonk from an Ovenden cross and he lobbed it over the keeper to get the party started.
Minutes later, some persistent work by Charlie Curran out on the left saw him square a ball across the six-yard line to an unmarked Will Saunders to poke home. The Pirates were enjoying their day in the sunshine now with every chance looking like it would lead to a goal.
In the hour mark it was 3-0 and the game was done. Charlie Playford rampaged through the Stags’ lines and set up Shonk for his second.
The returning Ryan Moir was introduced to the match from the bench and after some stylish approach work by Max Hollobone and Saunders he was set up just inside the box and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
At 4-0, Bexhill could smell more goals and Midhurst and Easebourne were struggling to cope. On 82 minutes Hollobone flighted in a brilliant corner that sailed over everyone and went straight in the net off the angle of the posts.
Still Bexhill wanted more and just before the final whistle Shonk came within the width of a post of nailing what would have been a deserved hat-trick.
At the final whistle the Bexhill players celebrated a fine and professional second-half demolition job with their travelling fans, including members of their Sutton Supporters Club who had made the trip.
Two to go now and next week another journey north to high-flying Horsham YM where the Pirates have nothing to lose and everything still to play for.
