Bexhill clinch promotion in style

And it was fitting that Dave Carey, Bexhill's and the division's leading goalscorer, should make certain of their return to the senior ranks after a seven-year absence with a blistering four-goal salvo.

"We're both delighted and relieved," said manager Bill Trivett. "A lot of work has gone into it. We had to build a side completely at the beginning of the season and we've had our upsets along the way. But each time we've been down, we've managed to find our way back again. We always felt as though the side was capable of turning things around and they've shown their character at the right times.

"We were a little bit nervy in the first half, but you could sense the relief when we scored the first goal and it allowed us to settle down. There were some very good goals in there and it was a perfect end to the season. It was probably one of our best performances and it was nice to show what we're capable of."

They certainly did that in the second half, delivering some free-flowing football worthy of a promotion winning side. In addition to Carey supplying the finishes, Sam Thompson ran the show in midfield and United look an altogether stronger defensive proposition when Adam Quinn is in harness.

The first goal was undoubtedly the key and a stunner it was too after 51 minutes. Receiving the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the Uckfield penalty area, Carey flicked it past a bewildered Matt Michaels and spun 360 degrees before slotting home a goal which had a canny resemblance to the memorable strike by Dennis Bergkamp against Newcastle United a few seasons back.

The same player made it two with 20 minutes left when he beat Gary Sawyer for pace and produced a sliding finish into the far corner from an acute angle.

Carey slotted his and Bexhill's third seven minutes later, following-up his saved initial effort after Wes Tate supplied the cross and Mark Funnell the cushioned lay-off.

He then turned provider for Funnell to head the 82nd minute fourth goal, but he was back on the scoresheet in stoppage time with a close range finish to Thompson's incisive raid.