No early present for Seaford

Any chance of a little Christmas joy for Seaford Town players and supporters was blown away by promotion chasing Bexhill United on Saturday

Any chance of a little Christmas joy for Seaford Town players and supporters was blown away by promotion chasing Bexhill United on Saturday, who moved into second place after their 4-0 victory.
While the scoreline somewhat flattered the home side, Town’s cause was not helped when centre-back David Hawes was forced off with a recurrence of a leg injury and he had to be replaced by Assistant-Manager Dan Barnett in only the 3rd minute.
Two minutes later the home side added to the worst of starts with the opening goal. Goalkeeper Ben Head was adjudged to have brought down a Bexhill player as he rushed from his line although he maintains he made no contact with the player when he dived bravely at his feet and this was confirmed by the Assistant Referee after the game. Unfortunately the Referee made the decision and Chris Cumming-Bart made no mistake from the penalty spot.
The first 20 minutes were difficult with Bexhill pressing forward and Head had to be at his best to prevent them from increasing their advantage, but and in-swinging corner was driven into the near-post by Ben Courtnage and the home ‘keeper didn’t know much about is as somehow blocked it on his goal-line to prevent Town from equalising.
It gave Town some heart and they came more into the game as the half wore on. A mistake by United’s ‘keeper almost gifted a goal when his weak drop-kick fell to Dan Barnett near the half-way line and his first time effort flew narrowly wide with the ‘keeper struggling to get back into his goal.
After the interval Matt Acton saw his shot clawed away at the foot of the post and Head turned a long range effort round the post. Unfortunately a poor attempted clearance by Dan Barnett dropped nicely for Bexhill and the cross was headed in by the unmarked Andy Atkin.
Barnett almost made amends for his error by his header from a corner just cleared the crossbar. Acton had another effort saved after being put through by Michael Flynn, but just as Town were looking most dangerous a cross came in from the right and was stabbed home at close range by Allan McMinigal.
Town were deflated by the breakaway goal and heads began to drop, even though Rob Le Cras curled one shot wide and Dean Paston sliced a good chance well wide.
Bexhill struck again in stoppage time when Kevin Barden just beat Head to a through ball to give the scoreline a totally unrealistic look, but until Ben Barnett brings in some stronger and more experienced players results like this will continue to blight their weekends.
With o games being played on Boxing Day this year, Town entertain close rivals Saltdean United at the Crouch on Saturday, kicking off at 3.00pm and with the Tigers immediately above them in the table this game is a rea 6-pointer.
Team: Head, Flynn, Stannard (O’Donnell), Le Cras, Hawes (D.Barnett), B.Barnett, Paston, Acton, Courtnage, Hayward, Browning