First team secure 3 points in derby

By Kate Wilde

First team secure 3 points in derby

Bexhill United Ladies secured 3 vital points in the London South East Regional League on Sunday away to Eastbourne Town.

After last week’s dismal performance against Crawley Wasps, and Town’s triumph over FA WPL opponents, Bexhill were anticipating a difficult task. In the early stages of the game both sides registered a number of efforts on goal, Fay Denyer and debutant Megan Alsop linking up well on the left 2 minutes in, however the hosts also secured a number of corners that further tested Bexhill. On the 10 minutes mark Eastbourne should have gone ahead after great work from their right winger. Quick feet allowed her to pass Michelle Compton at the by line and float a teasing cross along Bexhill’s goal line. Hayley Calder got a vital hand to ball to prevent the cross going in however an unmarked Eastbourne player could only guide the ball wide when it reached her at the back post. This close call spurred Bexhill on and they began to win midfield challenges, and in turn, control of the fixture. 16 minutes in Bexhill took the lead when Denyer played an intuitive flick for Laura Bolton who was able to finish well despite pressure from a recovering centre-half and onrushing goalkeeper. Bexhill continued to build their possession and were duly rewarded 8 minutes later when Denyer and Bolton linked up again, Bolton finishing low to the right from the edge of the Town penalty area. The game was stopped shortly after due to an unfortunate injury to a Town player and reconvened after a 30 minute break. Bolton was denied her hat trick just after the half hour mark when her lofted effort was matched by the home goalkeeper and moments later Bexhill conceded a penalty after a mis-clearance resulted in Calder inadvertently colliding with Town’s onrushing striker. The spot-kick was clinically converted and the half finished 2-1.

After the break Bexhill resumed their possession and battle that was evident for large portions of the first half. Carrie Burke extended Bexhill’s lead on 50 minutes after latching on to a Bolton corner and a wonder strike from Anne-Marie Pier 4 minutes later effectively put the tie out of Eastbourne’s reach. Mollie Derhun, Tiegan Puttick, Karli Povey and Cym Smith were introduced into the game and worked hard to keep the pressure on the hosts. In the final quarter of the game, Eastbourne had a number of passages of play in Bexhill’s final third however the backline stood firm, together with the support of the hard working Lil Johnson, and Calder was not called on to make a save.

Bexhill will hope they can take the performance into New Year when they host Fulham Foundation