Bexhill see off Storrington

Jamie Salvidge scores Bexhill United's opening goal in the 4-2 win at home to Storrington this afternoon. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (fh03014d)

The Pirates won either half 2-1 to move above crosstown rivals Little Common - whose game at home to Loxwood was postponed - in Sussex County Football League Division Two.

It was bottom half side Storrington who opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Joe Warner got away down the right and as the flag stayed down, delivered a low cross which was turned home by Will Garrett.

Bexhill levelled 12 minutes later when a Dean Stevens free kick from the right bounced in the away box and Jamie Salvidge’s first touch turned out to be perfect for him to poke home on the volley with his second.

The hosts went ahead in the 34th minute. Another Stevens delivery from the right, this time in open play, was met by a lunging volley from Peter Cooper. Gary Elliott in the Storrington goal kept that out, but Kasey Smith turned in the rebound.

Bexhill looked firmly in charge during the remainder of the first half, but the break probably didn’t do them any favours because they seemed to lose their momentum at the start of the second period.

Jacob Shelton missed a great chance to put Bexhill 3-1 up when he rounded Elliott only to miss the target with his shot and moments later Storrington were level. A long ball over the top put Garrett in the clear and he cut inside the backtracking Steve Earley before rolling his finish into the bottom corner.

Two goals in the space of three minutes, however, won it for Bexhill. Leading scorer Shelton made it 3-2 in the 71st minute with his 13th Bexhill goal of the season, heading home an inviting cross from good friend Smith, who did brilliantly on the Bexhill left.

If that was a good goal, Bexhill’s fourth was even better. A fine diagonal ball from Salvidge picked out Cooper, who in turn laid it off to Shelton. The 18-year-old then slipped it through for holding midfielder Stevens to slide home at the end of a brilliant forward run.

Bexhill really ought to have added a fifth in the 86th minute. A free kick from substitute Conner Burton made its way through to Stuart Lewis at the back post, but the central defender’s close range effort smacked against the top of the crossbar.

Bexhill: Tanner, Earley, P. Stevens, Richardson, Lewis, D. Stevens, Salvidge, Jarvis, Cooper (Burton 79), Smith (Catt 74), Shelton. Subs not used: Aston, Ottley.

Top nine standings (played-points): 1 Eastbourne United AFC 18-45, 2 Haywards Heath Town 21-44, 3 Loxwood 19-42, 4 Broadbridge Heath 18-38, 5 BEXHILL UNITED 21-35, 6 LITTLE COMMON 20-33, 7 Steyning Town 17-30, 8 Wick & Barnham United 18-25, 9 WESTFIELD 18-25.