Another contentious penalty leads to Bexhill defeat

The Pirates conceded twice in the final 15 minutes of the first half and a third goal right at the end of the second period as Langney recorded their fifth straight win.

Bexhill matched their opponents during the opening 25 minutes of a Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One match played at Eastbourne Town FC and there were chances at both ends.

But rather like in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at home to Crawley Down Gatwick, Bexhill fell behind to a contentious penalty. Bexhill defender Dan Cruikshank tangled with Jamie Morgan as the ball bounced through to goalkeeper Adam Osborne, and after both men went down, the referee pointed to the spot. Paul Rogers gratefully accepted the opportunity.

“The ‘keeper already had the ball and it would very rarely be given,” said Bexhill manager Marc Munday. “It was a bit of a harsh one again and it’s just a bit gutting.”

The goal rather knocked the wind out of Bexhill’s sails and Langney dominated the rest of the first half. A second goal on the stroke of half time, scored by Gianluca Del-Gaudio, left Bexhill with a huge task against a Langney side which looked dangerous with the quality it possesses going forward.

“That 10-15 minute spell from the one penalty incident has killed it for us,” continued Munday, who didn’t play due to suspension.

Bexhill battled hard during the second period, though, and Munday said his players did everything that was asked of them.

Langney sealed their win with a late third goal from Paul Weatherby as Bexhill pushed bodies forward and got caught on the break.

Bexhill certainly had their moments during the game as a whole, with the likes of Gordon Cuddington, Allan McMinigal and Josh Elliott-Noye all going close.

“I was pleased with how they (the players) conducted themselves during the second half,” added Munday. “They didn’t give up and if we had just got that goal, who knows. You can’t fault the effort; it’s just not falling for us.”

The first of Bexhill’s two remaining games is away to Sidlesham next weekend.

Bexhill: Osborne; A. Tudor, Cruikshank, Mole, Rayner; Wheeler, Ottley, Elliott-Noye, Freeman; McMinigal, Cuddington. Sub not used: Knell.

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