Bexhill College Men’s 1st Team, in association with Chelsea Football Club Foundation and in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Football Club, got back to winning ways, defeating Margate at Priory Lane 3-1 in the National League U19 Alliance.
On a miserable day with strong winds and driving rain, Eastbourne defended against the wind in the first half and controlled large parts of the half with a patient approach and high possession style. Their impressive start was rewarded 20 minutes in when Calum Pollitt fired in from the edge of the penalty area. Eastbourne were forced into an early change when Stanley Ketchell had to be replaced by Malachy Scullion due to injury after 30 minutes, but this did little to affect the flow of the game and Pollitt was unlucky not to secure his 2nd goal of the game, forcing the Margate keeper into a good save.
Half time arrived and Ola Ademola had to be replaced due to injury with Dom Corbin taking his place. Eastbourne failed to press home the advantage of the conditions in the 2nd half and keeper Shay Hollobone was forced into some good saves in what was a sluggish restart.
Sonny Walsh appeared to have secured all three points when scoring late on only for Margate to score almost immediately after. Substitute Tyler Wood secured all three points when combining brilliantly with Sonny Walsh, playing a one-two before rolling the ball into the bottom corner to finish the scoring at 3-1.
Eastbourne manager Sean Noble commented on the victory “The players were excellent and learnt from the mistakes which were made the previous week against Chatham Town in similar conditions. I thought we handled the wind in the first half very well by dominating possession of the football and being brave with choice of pass. I am able to see relationships beginning to form within the team the more the side is playing together, which bodes well for the remainder of the season.”
Player of the Match
Calum Pollitt – Scored an excellent goal and produced a mature performance in midfield, demanding and using the ball well which set the tone for the other players to follow.
Eastbourne Team
Hollobone, Collings, Duah, Ademola, Ketchell, Marchant, Cuison, Pollitt, Farrell, Groombridge, Walsh.
Subs
Karapetyan, Scullion, Wood, Corbin.
For more information about the Football Academy please visit: https://www.bexhillcollege.ac.uk/sports-clubs-and-academies/football-academies/
