With the excitement of a first ever trip to Guernsey now (partially) behind them, Eastbourne United returned to their beloved Oval Arena for a very much down-to-earth fixture. Bexhill United were a couple of places above United and had never been the easiest of opponents, always strong, always physical, and looking to pour a little humiliation on their old enemy.

In the only change from the Guernsey match, Charlie Ball returned to the starting lineup, with Jake Prodger dropping to the bench. It’s a bit of a trope around the club, that whenever Ball and Hull are 9 and 10, one of the scores. It’s not 100% correct, but you wouldn’t want to be facing them. Combine it with Wilson and Huchu on the wings, and it’s going to be a long day. Even with Huchu on the bench, it didn’t take long for Bexhill to realise that this was going to be hard work. Both Wilson and Ollie Hull had made forward runs when with just 10 minutes gone, Sam Scott curled a left footed corner into teasing territory, and James Hull rose to grab his first of the day. Bexhill were vowing to tighten up as Charlie Ball crossed for Rhyle Ovenden a minute later, the United captains header just missing the mark on his 100th start for the club. It didn’t matter as a few moments later T’yano Wilson took the defence apart and crossed for Ovenden, no mistake this time, and 2-0. A minute later James Hull tapped home for his easiest of the season, for 3-0.

Bexhill were looking at a rout, and they didn’t like it. The midfield closed up, and a few minutes later, it was 3-1. Any hopes of a revival however were dashed as United shrugged it off; inside a minute Koby Farrell chipped, just over the bar, but the message was clear- there’s no way back. Just 3 minutes later Ollie Hull crossed low, and James Hull completed his hat trick for a 4-1 lead. Right on the stroke of half time, Koby Farrell took it upon himself to go on a solo run, slotting home into the bottom corner for a 5-1 half time lead.

Usually, the second half writes itself; a slow 0-0 played out as the Bea then team consolidate, and the victors stroll around. Not today. United came out hungry for more, and it took just over 5 minutes, as Farrell’s shot was parried, and James Hull helped himself to a poachers goal, 4 for him, and 6 for United. Dan Hull had taken a first half knock, and was replaced by just before the hour by Anthony Thomas. It made no difference to the flow - Bexhill keeper Steff Akras handled the ball outside the area, CharlieBall set Sam Scott off, his shot going just inches wide. Scott turned provider a few minutes later as he crossed for James Hull to make it 5 for him, and 7 for United. Now the job really was done, and substitutions flowed as Anthony Storey opened up his enormous cupboard of youngsters; this time it was Jorge Nones who replaced Charlie Ball, and Teddy Loft came on for James Hull. Hull received not only Man of the Match, but applause from every part of the ground. There was time for Bexhill to get a consolation goal, to be fair, they kept working , before Ollie Hull was replaced by Jake Prodger. With a couple of minutes left it was 7-3, as Bexhill kept trying to get the goal difference down, but United were in no Danger. As if to prove the point, T’yano Wilson unpicked the defence once more, and crossed for - you guessed it- Jorge Nones to score his first Senior goal.

It was a bit of a mercy killing as the referee brought proceedings to a halt- the sound of “Simply the Best” playing United off through an appreciative 323 crowd, as they leapfrogged Bexhill into 9th place.

On Tuesday night, United face the long trip to Midhurst, followed by Pagham this Saturday. A couple of good results there will put them right in contention for the playoffs.