Bexhill lose way after bright start

The Sussex Division Two basement boys made a bright start and were rewarded with the opening goal on 10 minutes, but were unable to build on the strike against top six opponents who only made sure of the points with a third goal in added time.

"We started well but once we took the lead it was like we panicked," said Bexhill manager Gerard Moyse. "Westfield are obviously not a bad side but we just ran out of ideas. We are just not used to being in front."

Bexhill, whose team bears only a passing resemblance to the one that started the campaign with the vast majority of the squad departing for pastures new, might have grabbed a couple of goals in the opening few minutes.

They got their reward though when Darren Witham stroked home a penalty awarded for Westfield goalkeeper Gavin Bourne's clumsy challenge on Jake Daniels.

The Parishioners thought they should have had a spot-kick of their own just a couple of minutes later but Chris Rea's appeals fell on deaf ears.

The penalty stakes were evened up in the 19th minute though when Terry Payne's advance along the byline was unceremoniously checked by Del Longley. Mark Drinkwater wasted the opportunity, however, by blazing over from 12 yards.

Drinkwater did make amends just before the half hour mark by finally getting Westfield back on level terms with a close range finish after Lawrence Brand's initial well-struck shot had cannoned back off the upright.

Westfield took the upper hand for the first time in the contest just seconds before the half time whistle through James Carman who claimed the faintest of touches to a Brand free kick which seemed to transfix the Bexhill defence as it hurtled towards the box.

The second half failed to match the first in terms of goalmouth excitement but it was just as keenly contested with the tackles flying in thick and fast, particularly in central midfield where the combative qualities of Tony Harris and Dan Collins were in direct competition.

Brand went close to stretching Westfield's advantage but his volley flashed the wrong side of the upright, while substitute Duncan Jones just failed to reach Carman's overhit cross. At the other end, Adam Quinn saw a header clip the top of the crossbar.

The points were secured in added time when Jones gathered possession down the right, skipped past the full-back and delivered an inviting centre which cleared the last defender and fell invitingly for Carman to volley home clinically from 12 yards.