Bexhill Utd’s involvement in this season’s Emirates FA Cup came to end on Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 defeat to |sthmian South Central side Raynes Park Vale.

The Pirates knew they were up against from the moment the draw was made with Vale playing one step higher in the pyramid and with an impressive start to the season which matches their ambition to rise through the ranks to an even higher level.

But Bexhill came into the match on the back of their own solid start with a draw and two victories under their belt including Monday’s comeback win against AFC Varndeanians.

There was no shortage of confidence amongst Jay Skinner-Swain’s men and for the best part of half an hour they kept the lively looking visitors at bay with keeper Stef Akras pulling a top drawer save out of the locker to keep the scores level.

It was hard going, Charlie Playford in for Kyle Holden in the pivotal midfield role was an example of the battling, running, and blocking that snuffed out the pacey Raynes Park front line.

Around that half hour mark the visitors took the lead. Sharp play down the left flank and in-form striker Trevan Robinson, formerly of Leatherhead and Tonbridge Angels, made no mistake with the chance.

Instead of wilting though, Bexhill seemed to kick into life with Theo Coombs and Dan Rogers having decent chances for an equaliser but they went in a goal down at the break.

The Pirates started the second half well enough as the visitors looked happy to hold onto their lead and protect it. As the Red Arrows soared overhead from the on-going Eastbourne Air Show, Vale doubled their tally on 68 minutes as Robinson notched his and Vale’s second.

It was hard to see a way back into the game for the Pirates and as the game wound down towards the end of normal time a soft looking penalty gave Robinson the chance for his hat-trick, from the spot he duly obliged.

The opposition were warm in their praise for the Pirates after the final whistle. They knew they had been given a decent contest despite what the score line might suggest.

For the Pirates the game was a measure of the gap between the old county league and the better sides at the level above.

Courtesy of Geoff Martin