Southern Combination League Division One
The Polegrove, Bexhill-on-Sea
Admission including Programme: £5.00
Attendance: 102
Since my last visit on Boxing Day 2018, there have been several enhancements to the perimeter of the ground. A new entrance has been installed, so instead of access being gained through an opened gate to the recreation ground, spectators now pass along a wall, with the entrance fee being paid at a more conventional window. In addition, an interesting notice board has been installed outside of the changing rooms, giving some very interesting historical information about the ground, including the much-admired mock Tudor grandstand. The 12 page programme, included with admission, seemed to be designed to be relatively timeless, with no indication of dates, league table or fixtures, nor comments about recent games, but during a spell of inclement weather and likely postponements, it was probably a sensible publication under the circumstances.
This match would be between two clubs very much in the hunt for a top 4 place and promotion to the enlarged Step 5 next season. Bexhill United were in fifth place, following 11 wins and five draws from their 21 league games, just a point adrift of fourth placed Mile Oak, and four points adrift of Wick who were in third place, having won 13 and drawn three of their 20 league games.
On a mild, dry evening, and with the pitch in surprisingly good condition considering the recent wet weather, albeit the pitch was was rather sticky and tricky, and sanded in places, kick off was delayed by 15 minutes from the originally scheduled 7.30 kick off time, as the visitors only arrived at the ground at 7.15. This was an entertaining game to watch, with both sides creating plenty of chances throughout. And after both teams traded an early chance, a Bexhill forward connected with a cross with an overhead kick, but the ball went just wide. On 18 minutes, a cross from the right by the visitors was struck powerfully first time, but the keeper saved with an outstretched foot. But barely a minute later, Bexhill took the lead, when the ball was played forward, the keeper came well out his area, and caught in no mans land, Jack Shonk had the easy task of striking the ball low into an empty net from about 30 yards. And six minutes later, the Wick goalkeeper almost suffered another embarassing moment, when a long punt downfield by the Bexhill keeper was carried in the stiff wind, and the Wick keeper just managed to desperately tip the ball over from virtually under the bar. On 29 minutes a Wick free kick from outside the outer corner of the penalty area was curled onto the top of the bar, and four minutes later they saw a goalbound strike through a crowd was blocked by a defender, and on 39 minutes, a powerful shot was parried past the post.
So, a narrow lead to the hosts at the break, but with all to play for after the break. And indeed, Wick drew level on 48 minutes, a Bexhill defender took a swing at a cross from the left but could only deflect it faintly, and Terry Dodd poked the ball home from a close range, central position. And they came close to turning the game on its head two minutes later, when the ball was headed against the near post from a corner. But it was Bexhill who went back in front on 58 minutes when a shot was blocked, only for Shonk to slot the ball home for his second of the match. Following his protests, a Wick player was sent to the sin bin. Chances continued to be created by both teams, but it was the visitors who would score the next goal on 79 minutes. After a free kick was blocked, substitute Josh Irish drilled the ball low from the edge of the area past the keeper. Chances seemed to dry up after that, and so the points were shared - a fair result overall, but no doubt a point that Wick will be the happier with, both after coming from behind twice, and to maintain their lead over Bexhill in the race for a promotion spot. Interestingly, the reverse fixture takes place on the last day of the season.
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