Bexhill College Men’s 1st team, in association with Chelsea Football Club Foundation and in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Football Club, continued their impressive recent form, defeating Hollands and Blair 3-2 at Priory Lane.
The victory lifts the team to 4th and two points off the top of the table, although other teams around them do have games in hand. In blustery conditions, Eastbourne defended against the wind in the first half and battled well for long periods. Hollands and Blair scored twice in the first period to give them a 2-0 lead going into half time. The introductions of both Malachy Scullion and Will Harley plus the addition of the wind at their backs gave Eastbourne the momentum in the 2nd period, which saw them enjoy long periods of possession.
Charlie Gibson scored his and the team’s first goal after driving in from the right touchline and shooting towards the far corner before it took a deflection to wrong foot the goalkeeper and halve the deficit. Now with their tails up, Eastbourne were knocking on the Hollands’ door. Gibson raced clear and had his first attempt save before poking the rebound home to level the scores. Eastbourne could smell blood and Gibson was growing in influence in the game and he saved the best goal until last, cutting in from the right flank and curling the ball into the keepers top right hand corner to secure his hat trick and turn the game on its head.
Eastbourne were able to see out the game and secure a 6th win in a row to remain unbeaten since the end of November.
Eastbourne manager Sean Noble reflected on the result; “The team worked so hard to get themselves back into the game. The team has showed signs of maturing and were able to remain in the game during a difficult first half. Credit to Charlie for his hat trick but the whole team really did apply themselves brilliantly to maintain our current good form.”
Player of the Match
Charlie Gibson – A captain’s performance and scored an excellent hat trick.
Eastbourne Team
Hobden, Howard, Rivers, Ketchell, Marchant, Latuske, Pollitt, Corbin, Gibson, Groombridge, Walsh.
Subs
Collings, Scullion, Harley, Karapetyan.
For more information about the Football Academy please visit: https://www.bexhillcollege.ac.uk/sports-clubs-and-academies/football-academies/
