Bexhill United boss tells players: You have been phenomenal

Bexhill boss Ryan Light / Picture: Old Town Photography

Saturday’s comfortable 3-0 win over Billingshurst left the Pirates three points clear at the top of the SCFL division one with eight wins and a draw from their nine games.

Evan Archibald (2) and Jack McLean got the goals that carried on Bexhill’s superb start. And Light was quick to praise his players.

He told tthe Observer: “The players must take all the credit for what has been a phenomenal opening two months to the season. They are a talented, hard-working group with a great attitude and such a strong desire to always improve.

“Saturday was always going to be tough against a good side that had only lost one league game previously.

“On a difficult surface and with a strong wind it was never going to be a game for the purists but I thought out of possession we were solid and looked compact, while going forward we were expansive, imaginative and had the chances to win by a bigger margin.”

Football reports rounded up.

Tomorrow, mid-table Selsey visit the Polegrove. Light said: “I’m sure it’ll be another game where we will need to deliver a good performance to secure all three points.”

After that, Bexhill can look forward to their plum Sussex Senior Cup tie away to Brighton and Hove Albion’s under-23s, which is scheduled for Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Little Common boss Russell Eldridge will demand an improved display at home to East Preston tomorrow after they crashed to a 5-1 defeat at home to Saltdean.

After Saltdean went 2-0 up, a Paul Feakins strike made it 2-1 just before the break – but a second half hat-trick by Harry Shooman left Common well beaten. Eldridge said: “Saturday was our poorest result and performance by far. Although in spells we passed the ball okay, we never got near the standards that are expected.

“In the first half we didn’t get enough shots off when in the final third as well as getting numbers in the box to threaten their goal.

“We had a spell of pressure in the second half but the third goal hurt us and we lost our way, not showing the necessary work-rate and desire.

“I will ensure the group pick themselves up and put in a performance this weekend more like us.”

Common’s Sussex Senior Cup tie with Lewes was rained off on Tuesday.