Wednesday 9th August 2023, Kick-off 19.30
Southern Combination League Premier Division
The Beaconsfield, Hailsham
Admission: £7.00
Programme: £1.50
Attendance: 156
Having visited a customer this morning in Blackpool, I had originally planned to stop off at either Blackstones or Pinchbeck United (at Spalding United) on the way home. But despite stopping off for lunch as I headed south, I still would have arrived at either ground around four hours ahead of kick-off, and with about a three hour drive home after the final whistle. In the end, that just did not appeal despite the opportunity of ticking off another new ground a relatively long way from home, and so I reluctantly decided to head back to my home area, to watch this game between two clubs I am very fond of – Bexhill being one of my local clubs these days, and Crowborough used to be for many, many years when I lived in that area. Heavy traffic and frequent jams meant I was not 100% sure if I would make kick-off, but in the end I did, with about ten minutes to spare.
It is never possible for Bexhill United to play games at their home ground at The Polegrove in August, due to facilities being shared with the town’s cricket club, and so this fixture was played at Hailsham Town’s home ground. With Hailsham’s relegation to Step 7 football, this meant that Bexhill’s fixtures in August will probably be the only senior games played at The Beaconsfield this season. Not much has changed at the ground, although the very old former clubhouse building has finally been removed, leaving an empty space. Happily, Bexhill continue to issue printed programmes, and it continues to be an interesting read.
This game would be between two clubs fancied to do quite well again this season. They had similar seasons last season, with Bexhill finishing in seventh place, one position and point below Crowborough. In Bexhill’s only league game so far, they lost 3-1 at Steyning Town, but they did progress in the FA Cup, 3-1 against North Greenford United, a game which was also played at The Beaconsfield. Crowborough have had a perfect start to their season, winning their opening two league games, at home to Saltdean and then away to Eastbourne Town, before beating Shoreham at home in the FA Cup.
A match report posted on the Crowborogh Athletic website has been copied and pasted below...
5* Crows wipe out Bexhill
by Michael Barrett
5 goals see The Crows maintain their fine start to the season
The Crows came into the away clash with Bexhill after winning 3 on the spin, 2 in the league and 1 in the FA Cup, with Muggsys men looking to maintain the status of early pace setter.
It almost couldn’t have been a worse start, The Crows struggled to get an early foothold in the game with Bexhill popping the ball about with a few neat flicks and looking confident, the early chances certainly fell their way. Up to the 14th minute it was looking like it would be a long, long night.
But then it all changed, Murrain latched onto an excellent long ball forward from Jack Mayhew, and with the onrushing goalkeeper closing in on him, Lucas Murrain classily took a touch and finished from about 15 yards.
As the second Crowborough goal came, it’s probably fair to say Bexhill we’re still on top, excellent work from Forster to recover the ball, played a neat ball to Murrain, who turned provider as he crossed to Duncan who took his chance.
And that proved to be the turning point as the confidence grew, and The Crows never looked back.
Jack Mayhew had a free kick around the half way line narrowly miss just before half time, it may not have been a shot, but the keeper scrambled back to cover it, seemingly caught off guard.
Half time, 2-0 and a dominant second half awaited the superb Crows away support.
5 minutes into the half and Harvey Killick scored his first of 2, a lovely touch from Murrain set Forster running forward who slipped a perfect ball into Killick who, under a challenge, neatly slipped the ball through the keepers legs. Our 4th and Killick second coming in similar fashion.
The dominance continued, with the lively Harry London, on as a substitute took his chance as more superb work from Killick, brought down unfairly and would have been awarded a penalty, the ball breaking to London who slammed the ball home, giving the keeper absolutely no chance as the ball hit the roof of the net.
5-0 and a good night for The Crows, who showed pure grit and determination to get into the game when their heads could have dropped.
Man of the Match: Harry Forster
Video highlights of this game can be viewed by clicking here
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