Bexhill College Men’s 1st team, in association with Chelsea Football Club Foundation and in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Football Club, defence of the Sussex Cup came to an end in dramatic circumstances on Wednesday after losing 3-2 against East Sussex College Hastings.
In a tight Quarter-Final tie, Bexhill started brightly and forced the opposition keeper into action on a number of occasions early on before a mistake in defence saw East Sussex College take the lead, which is how the score remained until half time.
Bexhill started the 2nd period brightly with Josh Thomas on debut impressing at left back, bringing energy and intensity to drive the team forward. Bexhill rattled the post through Calum Pollitt before Delwin Duah should have scored from a corner when in close range. Will Harley eventually brought parity and the stage seemed to be set for Bexhill to take control of the game and secure a winning goal.
Unfortunately, another defensive error led to East Sussex regaining the lead instantly which took the wind out of the Bexhill. However, to their credit, the team continued to pour forward and create openings. Ash Latuske scored an excellently taken equaliser, volleying home from a corner to set up a grandstand finish. Tyler Wood had a late effort well saved when clean through on goal before disaster struck with East Sussex scoring a winning goal with seconds left on the clock.
Bexhill Academy Manager Sean Noble reflected; “ The defeat is a difficult pill to swallow as I felt that as a team we done enough to win the game. However, the result is probably an accurate representation of our season with mistakes and errors leading to teams scoring against us and making it very difficult to win games as we need to score 3 or 4 goals a game. It is a harsh lesson for the players and one which we must learn from on an individual and collective basis so that the players in the team can realise their full potential. We wish East Sussex College Hastings the best of luck in the next round.”
Player of the Match
Calum Pollitt – Hardworking display in central midfield which gave the team a platform from which to play.
Bexhill Team
Hobden, Collings, Duah, Rivers, Marchant, Corbin (c), Pollitt, Latuske, Groombridge, Walsh, Harley.
Subs
Ketchell, Cuison, Thomas, Delu, Wood.
For more information about the Football Academy please visit: https://www.bexhillcollege.ac.uk/sports-clubs-and-academies/football-academies/
