Victory takes Bexhill past last season's points total

Jack McLean scored Bexhill United's second goal and was an influential figure in the 3-1 win against Steyning Town.

The Pirates, who still have seven Macron Store Southern Combination League Division One matches remaining this term, got back to winning ways after successive home losses.

Bexhill manager Ryan Light said: “I said to the players to express themselves, play with no fear, enjoy it. They took that message on board, and played some free-flowing, expansive football.”

On a glorious afternoon at The Polegrove, Bexhill made a fantastic start and two goals in quick succession around the 15-minute mark put them in charge.

The opener was another Craig Ottley penalty after Connor Robertson burst forward from right-back and went past a couple of opponents until being brought down by the Steyning goalkeeper in the corner of the box.

Soon afterwards, the ball was switched across to Jack McLean, who beat his man and rifled home a shot which flew past the goalkeeper.

McLean was causing Steyning lots of problems and even before the goals he’d had a shot saved by the goalkeeper’s legs before Zack McEniry’s follow-up rolled against the inside of the post.

Steyning came into the game during the final 25 minutes of the first half as play became more even, but Bexhill reached the break with their two-goal advantage still in tact.

With midfielder Nathan Lopez driving them on, Bexhill started the second period very well against a Steyning side which came from two-down to beat them in September’s reverse fixture.

Although McEniry missed the target from McLean’s cross to the far post, the third goal arrived soon afterwards. A cross from the right evaded everybody and Corey Wheeler had a simple header at the far post.

Bexhill seemed to have the points in the bag, but the game suddenly changed. Steyning pulled one back when Alexander Townley timed his run perfectly to go clear on the left before cutting in and finishing neatly as Bexhill tried to get back.

Steyning really came to life and Bexhill were all at sea for the next 10 or 15 minutes. Steyning were getting in behind Bexhill from their big centre-forward’s flick-ons and Bexhill were struggling to clear their defensive lines.

Another Steyning goal would have set up a very nervy finish, but Bexhill goalkeeper Dan Rose collected balls into the box very well and eventually Bexhill managed to slow the game down and see it out fairly comfortably in the end.

Kenny Butchers marked his return to the club from Langney Wanderers by coming on as a second half substitute.

“All in all it was a good afternoon,” added Light. “It was a really good advert for Division One. There were some good goals, good play and it was all played in a good spirit.”

Bexhill: Rose; Robertson, McGuigan, McFarlane, Ottley; McLean, Holden, Lopez (Harffey), Wheeler (Butchers); Cuddington, McEniry (Giles). Sub not used: Rea.

Southern Combination League Division One top half (played-points): 1 LITTLE COMMON 27-70 (+65 goal difference), 2 Langney Wanderers 26-63 (+56), 3 Lingfield 25-55 (+45), 4 Ringmer 27-48 (+18), 5 BEXHILL UNITED 27-46 (+23), 6 Wick 24-44 (+25), 7 Mile Oak 27-44 (+7), 8 Selsey 25-40 (+9), 9 Hailsham Town 24-35 (-3).

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