Bexhill defeat 'hard to swallow'

Bexhill United Football Club joint manager Ryan Light admitted defeat in the team's opening league game of the season on Saturday was tough to take.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Aug 2016, 07:10 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:16 BST

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Action from Bexhill United's 2-1 defeat away to Oakwood on Saturday. Picture courtesy Mark KillyAction from Bexhill United's 2-1 defeat away to Oakwood on Saturday. Picture courtesy Mark Killy
Action from Bexhill United's 2-1 defeat away to Oakwood on Saturday. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

Bexhill's new-look young side produced a terrific performance and felt hard done to have lost 2-1 away to Oakwood side which finished in Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One last term.

Light said: "The defeat was a little bit hard to swallow because we did play so well. A draw was the very least we deserved. I'm disappointed about the result, but very excited about the performance and what's to come from the squad we've got."

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Oakwood edged the possession, but Bexhill fashioned far more of the chances during a first half which ended level at 1-1.

The heads go up at a corner during Bexhill's opening day game at Oakwood. Picture courtesy Mark KillyThe heads go up at a corner during Bexhill's opening day game at Oakwood. Picture courtesy Mark Killy
The heads go up at a corner during Bexhill's opening day game at Oakwood. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

Bexhill went behind after just seven minutes when a bit of a mix-up between defender Ashley Kidman and goalkeeper Dan Rose allowed Jack McNab to half-volley into the top corner.

Oakwood passed the ball well, but Bexhill gradually worked their way into the game and equalised with a fantastic goal shortly before half time. Kidman picked up the ball inside the centre circle and beat two players before firing into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Bexhill dominated the second half, but Oakwood grabbed what proved to be the winner from a rare attack up the slope. McNab scored his second with a powerful drive from the edge of the box at the end of an Oakwood break from a Bexhill corner.

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Bexhill continued to boss the play, yet an equaliser proved elusive. A Craig Ottley free kick which was heading for the top corner was kept out by a stunning save, Corey Wheeler and Jacob Shelton had chances, and a couple of strong penalty appeals were turned down.

"It was a wonderful advert for the division between two excellent footballing sides," added Light. "The Oakwood manager said 'you've got one hell of a side there, that's the best Bexhill side I've ever faced'."

Bexhill: Rose; Robertson, McFarlane, Kidman, Ottley; Gouet, B. Trickett, Giles (Olujobi), Cuddington (Holden), Wheeler; Barden (Shelton). Subs not used: Butchers, A. Trickett.

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Related topics:BexhillOakwood