Bexhill fail to turn territory into points

Bexhill United were left to rue failing to convert territory into points as their three-match unbeaten run came to an end.
Gordon Cuddington chests the ball down during Bexhill United's 1-0 defeat at home to Midhurst & Easebourne. Picture courtesy Mark Killy (SUS-160321-181743002)Gordon Cuddington chests the ball down during Bexhill United's 1-0 defeat at home to Midhurst & Easebourne. Picture courtesy Mark Killy (SUS-160321-181743002)
Gordon Cuddington chests the ball down during Bexhill United's 1-0 defeat at home to Midhurst & Easebourne. Picture courtesy Mark Killy (SUS-160321-181743002)

The Pirates were beaten 1-0 at home to Midhurst & Easebourne in Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One on Saturday despite having most of the play.

Bexhill manager Marc Munday said: “It’s been the tale of the season. They only had three attempts in the whole game, I’ve never felt so comfortable in a game of football.

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“I don’t think they got within 20 yards of our goal in the first half and it’s just gutting to keep ending up losing games where you feel you’ve done more than enough to win.”

Bexhill United forward Jacob Shelton is shadowed by a Midhurst defender. Picture courtesy Mark KillyBexhill United forward Jacob Shelton is shadowed by a Midhurst defender. Picture courtesy Mark Killy
Bexhill United forward Jacob Shelton is shadowed by a Midhurst defender. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

Bexhill set up in an attacking 3-4-3 formation and made the same positive start they have in a number of their recent matches.

Midhurst had one effort from distance during the first half, but apart from that it was all-Bexhill and although the hosts didn’t fashion as many chances as they have been, Munday felt his team ought to have been three goals ahead by the break.

“We just weren’t as clinical as we have been in previous games and that final ball wasn’t there,” continued Munday. “But the performance and workrate were what they have been.”

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With several of their players having turned out for the under-21s less than 48 hours previously, Bexhill perhaps tired a bit during the second half.

And although Bexhill remained on top, all the while the game remained scoreless there was always the danger that Midhurst would nick a goal.

They duly did when Nathan Hunt got in on the left and slotted the ball home, much to the frustration of a Bexhill side for whom Mark Blanche, Gordon Cuddington, Jacob Shelton and Wes Peoples all had efforts saved by the impressive Midhurst goalkeeper.

Bexhill were pressing for an equaliser thereafter, but the final ball didn’t quite come off and they failed to add to their tally of seven goals in their previous three outings.

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“We’ve not been beaten by a side better than us in eight games, yet we’ve only picked up four points,” added Munday, who was critical of the delivery by his team from the raft of set-pieces they earned.

“I came away so disappointed with the result, but then you have to remind yourself the performance hasn’t been bad. We were the better team on Saturday by a mile and if we had got one early on I think we would’ve steamrollered them.”

Three of Bexhill’s seven remaining fixtures are at The Polegrove. The visit of Sidlesham this coming Saturday will be followed by games against Oakwood and Crawley Down Gatwick next month on dates to be announced.

Bexhill: Osborne; Munday, Cruikshank, Ottley; Blanche (A. Tudor), Elliott-Noye, Wheeler, Barden; Shelton (Pickering), Cuddington, Peoples. Subs not used: Penney, Mole.

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