We are at that part of the season now where the managerial merry-go-round is in full swing. As Bexhill Utd prepared to head out along the South Coast for a league fixture, Shoreham dispensed with the services of Josh Blondel and moved swiftly to install Connor Cox in his place.

After a decent enough start to the campaign but then losing manager Laurence Edwards to Saltdean Utd the Musselmen had suddenly started shipping goals in industrial quantities and hence the swift turnaround in the dug out.

Bexhill themselves came into the game on the back of a couple of defeats that had stalled their push for a play-off place and were also looking to get back into the groove.

It can be tricky facing off against opponents wanting a new manager bounce but the Pirates were boosted by the return of key players including skipper Richie Welch which gave Jay Skinner-Swain pretty much a full strength squad to choose from, a strong starting line up and likewise in terms of replacements from the bench.

Bexhill set out their task with gusto, firmly on the front foot and pressing hard for an opening goal. It seemed like only a matter of time as the Pirates opened up their opponents with a couple of good opportunities.

On 15 minutes, a well worked free kick got things moving. Jack Shonk’s quick move to Andy Corrigan down the flank saw a perfect cross into the six yard box for Will Saunders to crack home.

Saunders should have doubled the lead minutes later, but for a block from the impressive Elliott Dailly. At this point it was only heroics from Dailly to keep Shoreham in contention, but on 20 minutes that lead was doubled as Shonk’s whipped ball from a short corner saw Dan Rogers rise at the far post to head over the keeper for the Pirates second goal.

It looked like it might open the floodgates but despite Bexhill pouring forward looking for more goals the home side didn’t fold and went in at the break two goals behind.

Second half the Musselmen seemed to find a renewed sense of purpose and started to put some moves together but Bexhill were never in any real trouble although the game had opened up and the Pirates were having to work hard for the points.

It wasn’t until the final ten minutes when the next goal came, Ryan Moir setting up Shonk on 83 minutes to finish in style from the edge of the box. Shoreham to their credit weren’t done and pulled a goal back three minutes later through the lively looking Tom Ross and only an exceptional save from Stef Akras prevented a more nervy finish.

Any hopes of a comeback from the home side were ended two minutes from time as pressure from Charlie Curran on the Shoreham keeper forced a kick straight to Nathan Crabb who lobbed an out of position custodian from a good thirty yards out.

That ended the game as a contest and the Pirates now look forward to hosting Guernsey at the Polegrove (ko 2pm), their fans and players alike left Middle Road in good spirits while Shoreham set about trying to rebuild their season.

Courtesy of Geoff Martin.