Another contentious penalty leads to Bexhill defeat

Dan Cruikshank conceded a disputed penalty for the second successive game as Bexhill United were beaten by Langney Wanderers. Picture courtesy Jon Smalldon

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Bexhill United Football Club's losing run stretched to six matches after being beaten 3-0 by in-form Langney Wanderers on Wednesday night.

The Pirates conceded twice in the final 15 minutes of the first half and a third goal right at the end of the second period as Langney recorded their fifth straight win.

Bexhill matched their opponents during the opening 25 minutes of a Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One match played at Eastbourne Town FC and there were chances at both ends.

But rather like in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at home to Crawley Down Gatwick, Bexhill fell behind to a contentious penalty. Bexhill defender Dan Cruikshank tangled with Jamie Morgan as the ball bounced through to goalkeeper Adam Osborne, and after both men went down, the referee pointed to the spot. Paul Rogers gratefully accepted the opportunity.

“The ‘keeper already had the ball and it would very rarely be given,” said Bexhill manager Marc Munday. “It was a bit of a harsh one again and it’s just a bit gutting.”

The goal rather knocked the wind out of Bexhill’s sails and Langney dominated the rest of the first half. A second goal on the stroke of half time, scored by Gianluca Del-Gaudio, left Bexhill with a huge task against a Langney side which looked dangerous with the quality it possesses going forward.

“That 10-15 minute spell from the one penalty incident has killed it for us,” continued Munday, who didn’t play due to suspension.