Bexhill Utd’s return to Southern Combination league action after a couple of cup exits and a weekend off was greeted with a bit of relief at the weekend.

It was a chance for the team to continue their good start to the Premier Division season and after a run of games along the south coast it was time for a trip deep into the Sussex hinterland to one of the most northerly opponents, Crawley Down Gatwick.

Once again Pirates boss Jay Skinner-Swain had pretty much a full squad to choose from and was able to field a strong team int he warm early autumn sunshine.

After a strong campaign last season the Anvils have had a tricky start to this one but both sides started brightly on a fine playing surface that had benefitted from the rainfall over the previous week.

The hosts have plenty of height in their set up and close to opening the scoring on the half hour mark when a ball was nodded down, the resulting half volley whacking the underside of the bar, a kind bounce allowing Bexhill to clear their lines.

As play surged up and down the pitch the Pirates created a good number of chances, Theo Coombes pulling a shot wide and Jack Shonk unable to capitalise on a couple of occasions the best of them.

Coombes however did create the opening goal of the game just before half time, crossing for centre half Dan Rogers to nod home and an interval lead for the visitors.

The start to the second half was tentative. Max Hollobone had a good chance to double the Pirates lead but headed over. Crawley Down had their moments and duly levelled ten minutes from time.

Star striker Oli Leslie, top scorer in the league last season, cut in from the right hand side and slammed an angled shot past Stef Akras for the equaliser.

It signalled a lively end to the game but a winner didn’t arrive until deep into stoppage time. The impressive Ryan Moir picked up the ball down the left hand side, beat his man and his perfectly weighted pass put Charlie Curran clear to notch the Pirates second and three more points.

The result leaves Bexhill Utd in fourth spot in the table with a game in hand on most of their rivals. The Pirates are back in action again on Tuesday as the Sussex Senior Cup gets underway with local derby away at Little Common.

Courtesy of Geoff Martin