Bexhill College Men’s 1st team, in association with Chelsea Football Club Foundation and in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Football Club, suffered a third successive defeat in the National League U19 Alliance to high-flying Tonbridge Angels.
In wet and windy conditions at Priory Lane, Eastbourne set about defending against the wind well, limiting their opponents to only one strike on goal before a defensive mix up led to Tonbridge taking the lead 20 minutes into the encounter.
Eastbourne responded well with Will Harley proving to be a real handful, going close with one effort, before winning a penalty which Sonny Walsh was unable to convert before the rebound was fired wide. On the stroke of half time, more sloppy defending was punished when a Tonbridge striker scored from a rebound after Tommy Hickey, on debut in goal, saved the initial effort.
Harley was withdrawn in a half-time change and replaced with Tyler Wood as Eastbourne set about trying to reduce the deficit. Although the half contained a lot of effort, Eastbourne struggled to trouble the Tonbridge goalkeeper. Tonbridge extended the lead to 3-0 in the closing moments following a corner to complete a miserable afternoon for the home side.
Eastbourne manager Sean Noble reflected on a difficult day; “Unfortunately the players effort which was excellent on the day has returned no reward and it is unfortunate that it is our own mistakes and errors that have caused the defeat. The players gave all they could, but the standard of this league means that any mistake will be punished ruthlessly by the teams which play within it. Frustratingly there was some very good spells of play which we must try to build upon to rediscover our good form of 3 weeks ago.”
Attentions turn to defending the Sussex Cup next week against what is sure to be a tough East Sussex College Hastings side.
Player of the Match
Will Harley – An excellent first half display in which he caused real problems for the opposition.
Eastbourne Team
Hickey, Collings, Rivers, Ketchell, Marchant, Corbin (c), Pollitt, Karapetyan, Groombridge, Walsh, Harley.
Subs
Jack, Simons, Dadgostar, Wood.
For more information about the Football Academy please visit: https://www.bexhillcollege.ac.uk/sports-clubs-and-academies/football-academies/
