The great English weather

Bexhill U23s match abandoned after the heavens open and leave the goal mouths flooded with water. Football 0-1 Mother nature.

The first half started slowly with only one chance for either side. A great bit of play on the left hand side resulted in a beautiful cross into Bexhill’s number 7, who tried a bicycle kick but he didn’t commit in the wet conditions. Hailsham had a chance to go ahead with a free-kick just outside the box but it was struck high and wide. Although there was absolutely no chances for either team, it was Bexhill who were dominating in terms of possession and play but the final ball just wasn’t there. Time flew past and there was no action up until around the 30 minute mark when good pressure from Bexhill won them a throw in down the left hand side. They took it quickly and caught Hailsham out. Number 11 drilled a cross into the box and it cannoned off Hailsham’s number 3 (who couldn’t get out of the way) and into the net. 1-0 Bexhill with 15 minutes until half time. A well deserved lead. The rain now started to get heavier and heavier and the pitch became very muddy. Bexhill’s number 4 calmly brought the ball out from the back but a heavy touch caused him to lunge in to try and keep the ball. The challenge was mistimed and he went straight through the Hailsham midfielder giving the referee no choice but to send him off. Bexhill were down to 10 men but they still continued to be on top and play Barcelona like football with beautiful tricks and flicks. There was only one chance for Hailsham to equalise before the half. A poor pass from the Bexhill goalkeeper landed at the feet of the Hailsham forward but the Bexhill number 1 got out quickly to smother the ball out of the forwards feet. The referee blew for half time. The pitch looked as though it couldn’t take much more as it continued to pour down. 6 inches of water in the goal mouths was enough for the referee to abandon the game…