Bexhill College Men’s 1st team, in association with Chelsea Football Club Foundation and in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Football Club, secured a 3-2 win in their National League U19 Alliance away fixture against Charlton Athletic Trust Kent.
In beautiful conditions at Homelands Stadium, Eastbourne started fast and should have been ahead in under 2 minutes, Will Harley was put through on goal 1v1 against the goalkeeper but the latter stood strong and saved Harley’s effort. The next 25 minutes were devoid of action in a half which became very stop start. The deadlock was broken on 28 minutes when Will Harley recovered from slipping inside the box to beat the defender and drill a fierce effort into the bottom right corner. Just 8 minutes later, Eastbourne’s lead was doubled; a move that started from the back and 15 passes later ended when a fantastic cross from the left was headed home by Sonny Walsh. Charlton were not able to muster any response in the remainder of the half as Eastbourne went in 2-0 ahead at half time.
Eastbourne were forced into a change at half time as Tom Porter replaced Ash Latuske. The second half started very much the same was the first, with Eastbourne asking early questions in their pursuit of a third goal. That goal came just 8 minutes into the second period when another excellent team move was finished off smartly by Will Harley for his second of the match. The goal came at a cost, as Arthur Karapetyan who provided an excellent assist for the goal came off injured after pulling up. Just past the hour mark, Charlton got a goal back. The Eastbourne defence were found sleeping and the Charlton striker made no mistake in making them pay. Charlton couldn’t capitalise as the next 20 minutes again became a stop start affair. However, on 82 minutes they were given the opportunity to make the last 10 minutes nervy for Eastbourne as a challenge inside the box resulted in the referee pointing to the spot. Hobden guessed the right way, but the ball squeezed under him to make things 3-2. Eastbourne stood strong in the remaining minutes and saw off any threat from the home side to take a deserved 3 points back home with them.
Coach Shane Lovell said, “ It was a deserving win in a game that lacked any flow or rhythm, but it’s disappointing we let them back in the game the way we did after being in full control at 3-0.”
Player of the Match
Malachy Scullion – A strong, dominant display in both defence and attack in three different positions across 90 minutes.
Eastbourne Team
Hobden, Scullion, Collins, Rivers, Thomas, Pollitt, Corbin ©, Latuske, Karapetyan, Harley, Walsh.
Subs
Porter, Marchant, Ketchell
For more information about the Football Academy please visit: https://www.bexhillcollege.ac.uk/sports-clubs-and-academies/football-academies/
