BEXHILL UNITED kicked off their new SCFL premier division campaign with a 2-1 victory.
Visiting newly-promoted Billingshurst, it was a new ground for many and the club has a great set-up. But on another red-hot summer’s day the pitch had been baked to a rock-hard, golden brown – posing a real challenge for both sides.
Pirates boss Jay Skinner-Swain blended in his new signings with the familiar faces, most notably at the back where the returning Tom Vickers lined up in the centre alongside Josh Tuck with Richie Welch on the right and Harry Marchant on the left.
Jack Milson, who impressed in pre-season, also got to make his competitive debut. With Finn Holter unavailable, Jack Preston was drafted in for goalkeeping duties.
Bexhill started at pace, and with the benefit of the slope, and maybe a slightly nervous opposition making their debut in the Premier Division, Milson, Ash Latuske and Ryan Moir were soon making decent progress down the flanks.
On the quarter hour it was Moir who broke the deadlock, latching onto a ball in space in the penalty area after excellent work by Jack Shonk and the Bexhill man finished in some style.
The Pirates had their tales up now and only minutes later Shonk ripped through the defence again to square for Latuske to flick it home at the far post.
At this point it looked like Bexhill could run away with the game, but Billingshurst started to get themselves organised and forced a couple of decent saves from Preston amid a flurry of corners.
Another goal for Bexhill before the break would probably have killed off the contest and Shonk came as close as you like, turning sharply with his back to goal, beating his man only to see his shot squeeze past the post.
Second half and Billingshurst came out swinging. The travelling support were well aware that the next goal could prove crucial and it came for the home side five minutes after the break after a powerful run and cross presented a chance for Ben Cole, which he duly dispatched.
There was still plenty of time left in the game and the next 40 minutes would present a stern test for Bexhill as wave after wave of Billingshurst attacks laid siege to the goal.
With Tuck going off with a knock, Callum Brand stepped in alongside Vickers and both men had their work cut out for the rest of the contest.
Credit is also due to the irrepressible Kyle Holden and the hard-working Max Hollobone who held the line in front of the defence.
Bexhill attacks in the second half were few and far between although both Shonk and Richie Welch had long range efforts that missed the target. Substitute Sam Sharma did get the ball in the net but was judged offside.
Having weathered the storm, Bexhill did start moving the ball up the park and were disciplined in managing the game out and protecting the three points up to the final whistle. Might not have been pretty after an exciting start to the match but it was job done for the Pirates.
