Bexhill seek to check leaders' title bid

Bexhill United Football Club will travel to table-topping opposition in their final Saturday fixture of the season tomorrow.
Georges Gouet on the ball during Bexhill United's 2-1 win at Billingshurst last weekend. Picture courtesy Mark KillyGeorges Gouet on the ball during Bexhill United's 2-1 win at Billingshurst last weekend. Picture courtesy Mark Killy
Georges Gouet on the ball during Bexhill United's 2-1 win at Billingshurst last weekend. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

The Pirates will seek to continue their good recent form when they visit Macron Store Southern Combination League Division One leaders East Preston.

Joint manager Nigel Kane said: “I said to the players we would like to finish the season with a little bit of a flourish. We’ve got back-to-back wins now and we would like to finish the season with four straight wins if possible. I want to win every game I’m involved in.”

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East Preston are a point clear at the top of the table having won 12 of their last 13 league matches (losing only to Little Common) and were 2-0 winners over Bexhill in October’s reverse fixture at The Polegrove.

Bexhill United goalkeeper Dan Rose challenges for a high ball against Billingshurst. Picture courtesy Mark KillyBexhill United goalkeeper Dan Rose challenges for a high ball against Billingshurst. Picture courtesy Mark Killy
Bexhill United goalkeeper Dan Rose challenges for a high ball against Billingshurst. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

“Every team in the league has got weaknesses and if we can perform to our best, we’re capable of beating anybody in this league,” Kane continued.

“We’ve beaten (second-placed) Saltdean twice, we’ve beaten (fourth-placed) Mile Oak at home as well and we’ve proven we can compete with the best teams.”

Bexhill are eighth in the table with two games to go, the second of which is away to neighbours Little Common on Easter Monday.

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“With the squad we’ve got, I feel we’ve under-achieved this season,” added Kane. “I fully expected to be challenging for promotion, but we fell off the pace because of a five or six-week period in December and January.

Bexhill United goalkeeper Dan Rose challenges for a high ball against Billingshurst. Picture courtesy Mark KillyBexhill United goalkeeper Dan Rose challenges for a high ball against Billingshurst. Picture courtesy Mark Killy
Bexhill United goalkeeper Dan Rose challenges for a high ball against Billingshurst. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

“For me it’s been pleasing over the last two games that we’ve only conceded one goal. I think success is built on a tight defence and that’s something for me we’ve got to improve next season.

“I think we’ve scored enough goals this season, but we’ve not kept enough clean sheets. We’ve had a bit of a soft centre and it hasn’t helped in fairness that we’ve used four different goalkeepers.”

Kyle Holden is suspended for Bexhill’s final two games as a result of picking up 10 yellow cards, while Ashley Kidman and Georges Gouet are unavailable tomorrow.

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