Bexhill United Ladies lost their third successive league game this Sunday, away at AFC Wimbledon.
Motivated by recent results, Bexhill were first out of the blocks and after high pressure we able to force a corner in the first few minutes. Bexhill worked to dominate the opening stages of the fixture and were duly rewarded when Fay Denyer opened her London and South East Regional League account on the 10 minute mark. Denyer was unfortunate not to double Bexhill’s advantage 5 minutes later when a close range effort from a tight angle ran the length of the goal line before being cleared. Naomi Shorttle also saw a headed effort go just wide. AFC Wimbledon reacted positively to the early pressure and grew into the fixture, creating a competitive game for the neutral. Both sides won a number of corners but as the half progressed, AFC began to get their noses in front. On 34 minutes Bexhill failed to adequately clear a succession of blocked shots and when a final effort was inadvertently knocked backwards the AFC striker made no mistake from six yards out with a powerful strike. With barely a minute more on the clock AFC took the lead through a well timed volley direct from a corner. Bexhill remained on the back foot and were caught out again with a well worked move down the left, which was confidently placed in the top corner by the AFC striker.
After the break Bexhill worked hard to get themselves back into the fixture. With that AFC stepped up their game and enjoyed large amounts of possession and a number of corners. Solid goalkeeping was the focus in the second half with Bexhill’s Hayley Calder being called into action on 2 occasions to deny AFC from close range with her counterpart preventing Laura Bolton and Lil Johnson in reply. AFC Wimbledon were reduced to 10 with 15 minutes to go and Bexhill capitalised almost immediately, Johnson playing Denyer in for her second of the game. In the final stages, AFC Wimbledon stood firm and were able to frustrate Bexhill by maintaining possession and running down the clock to secure the 3 points.
Still short of the level they are capable of, Bexhill will be encouraged by the fact they are taking positive steps towards their potential. Sunday sees an away trip to Hassocks.