Midhurst & Easebourne away is one of the longest journeys Bexhill Utd have to undertake in the Southern Combination Premier Division and fresh from their derby victory over Little Common on Easter Monday, the club were in good spirits as players and fans travelled out towards the West Sussex border.

The Stags have been on a poor run of form of late with only one win in their last six games which has been them plunge down the table to just above the relegation line but they’ve probably done just enough to secure their Premier Division status although Lancing can still overhaul them.

Utd are locked into ninth place and can’t go any higher or lower but boss Jay Skinner-Swain has made it clear that he wants to target maximum points to end the season on a high in preparation for next term.

The Rotherfield is a classic old school county league ground but it’s clear from the works going on the club are planning well for the future.

One particular distinguishing feature is the curvaceous playing surface, which along with a strong and gusty wind, made for an interesting afternoon ahead.

The Stags had the advantage of the conditions in the first half and Bexhill found it hard to get their pressing game going with passes going astray and the home side pinning them back for significant periods.

If Midhurst had gone in at the break with the lead it would have been a fair reflection on the first half but the sides went in level at half time.

The second half was a whole different affair as the Pirates found the conditions more favourable to their style of play and proved to be decisive.

The opening goal arrived ten minutes in, top scorer Jack Shonk receiving an Ovenden cross and lobed the keeper to get the party started.

Minutes later some persistent work from Charlie Curran on the left saw him square the ball for an unmarked Will Saunders to double the lead, the Pirates beginning to enjoy their day in the sunshine and eager for more goals.

The next one arrived on the hour, Charlie Playford rampaging through the Stags lines to set up Shonk for his second. The returning Ryan Moir joined the match from the bench and after some neat play from Max Hollobone and Saunders the substitute slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Eight minutes from time Hollobone was on the scoresheet as his corner kick sailed over everyone and went into the net off the angle of post and crossbar.

Shonk almost secured a hat-trick before the final whistle, but the width of a post denying the Pirates leading scorer another to add to his tally.

At the final whistle the Bexhill celebrated a fine second half demolition job with their travelling support, which included members of the Sutton Utd Supporters Club who had made the trip instead of north to Carlisle Utd.

The Pirates are on their travels again next Saturday afternoon when they head to confirmed play-off placed Horsham YM as they look to continue a winning end to the season.

Courtesy of Geoff Morris.