United dumped out of Trophy

The managerless U’s suffered a dreadfully disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to lower grade Bedfont Town in an FA Trophy first round qualifying replay last night (Tuesday).

Having escaped with a 1-1 draw in the original meeting on Saturday thanks to Zac Attwood’s late equaliser, United fell behind to 18th minute penalty converted by Wayne O’Sullivan after Scott Manning was controversially adjudged to have handled.

With Mark Stapley taking the side and Dave Walters helping to oversee matters, United might have fallen further behind but for a couple of fine saves from Lloyd Anderson later in the first half.

Sean Ray was off target with a trio of headers early in the second period before Bedfont sealed victory with a second goal eight minutes from time, Tommy Williams volleying home a Tyron Sealey cross.

Elsewhere last night, Bexhill United overcame fellow Sussex County League Division Two side Little Common 2-0 in a Hastings & District FA Senior Cup semi-final at The Polegrove.

Dominic Clarke opened the scoring with a third minute header from Josh Elliott-Noye’s free kick and Danny Ellis bagged the second with a terrific left-foot shot from 25 yards following a good run by Ross Markham.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.