Bearsted go through to the FA Vase second Qualifying round for the first time in their history with an emphatic victory over Bexhill United and will now play either Mile Oak or Selsey away.

The Bears for the second match in a row scored four goals and deservedly go through, they started on the front foot when in the 8^th minute Reece Collins in on goal on the right tried to pass inside for Pete Williams but it was intercepted and cleared.

Five minutes later Collins again in the area saw his shot saved by Dan Rose’s legs and cleared by the Bexhill defence. In the 17^th minute the Bears took the lead, and what a goal, Collins passed out to David Baronowski who from 20 yards fired his shot into the net before Rose moved.

In the very next minute Bexhill had a chance to equalise when a ball into the area saw Jack McLean head it down for Danny Leach but his half volley from 15 yards flew over the bar.

In the 22^nd minute Bearsted increased their lead when on a breakaway from a Bexhill corner Collins from halfway ran into the area, then as Rose came out passed inside for Ryan Croucher who cheekily back heeled in from 5 yards.

Bearsted were now in total control, in the very next minute Sam Flisher set Collins up, his shot was saved by Rose. In the 27^th minute it was nearly three as a cross into the area saw Williams jumping with Rose, the ball was tipped over the bar by Rose.

Half time arrived, and it looked as if Bearsted were going through to the next round as long as they didn’t get complacent.

The second half started slowly with Bearsted in total control, then in the 56^th minute they could have been three up when Baronowski was put through but his shot from 12 yards was diverted onto the post and out for a corner by Rose.

Bexhill had a rare half chance in the 58^th minute when Connor Robertson took a free kick quickly to Craig Ottley, from 30 yards his shot sailed over the bar.

The game went into a lull for 20 minutes but then Bearsted upped the tempo, in the 80^th minute a Baronowski free kick into the area was met by Substitute Rob Lyle but his header went just over the bar.

In the 84^th minute they made sure of the result when Williams scampering down the left wing got the by-line, his low cross found Collins who headed in from 4 yards.

Two minutes later it was four when Collins on the right saw his low cross find Ryan Croucher 6 yards out, his first shot was blocked but came back to him and he coolly curled it in.

Bexhill got a consolation goal in the 4^th minute of added on time when a corner to the back post found Nathan Lopez, from 3 yards he knocked it in, the final whistle went and Bearsted fully deserved this victory.

 

Bearsted:

1. Warner        2. S.Flisher          3. C.Croucher          4. A.Foster     5. G.Andrews  (74)    6.  M.Hathaway 7. D.Baranowski   8. R.Croucher       9. P.Williams (84)         10. R.Collins       11. D.Baranow (68)

Subs Used:  16. J.Rogers (68)   15. R.Lyall (74)  14. M.Weller (84)

Subs Not Used:  12. C.Allen

Bookings:  8. R.Croucher (30)  3. C.Croucher (81)

 

Bexhill United:

1. Rose 2. C.Robertson        3. C.Ottley      4. C.Mcfarlane          5. L.Mcguigan     6. K.Holden (59) 7. J.Shock   8. J.Rump           9. D.Leach (59)         10. N.Lopez         11. J.Mclean (67)

Subs Used:  14. W.Giles (59)  16. Z.Mceniry (59)  12. R.Light

Subs Not Used:  15. C.Rea

Bookings:  4. C.Mcfarlane (87)

 

Referee: Mr J.Gray

Assistants: Mr A.Crossley  & Mr P.Reilly

Att 84