Seaford Ladies marked their first home league of the new calendar year with a resounding 6-0 defeat of Eastbourne Town at the Crouch. Three goals either side of the half saw the home side walk away with a deserved three points, against an Eastbourne team who failed to ask any real questions of Seaford throughout the large majority of the match.

Having eventually settled following a tentative opening to the game, Seaford did not take long to set the tone, creating a plethora of chances throughout the course of the first half. Midfielder Paris Akehurst went close for Seaford just under the 10 minute mark, sending an effort just wide of the post following some good work on the right flank by right-back Abz Beadle. Beadle proved a constant threat for Seaford, attacking the Eastbourne backline at every opportunity as the hosts looked to turn their pressure into a lead.

Seaford went on to take the advantage in the 11th minute, when forward Paige Hanson managed to come away with the ball following a 50/50 with the goalkeeper, before squaring to Macey Gipson who was on hand to slot home for 1-0. The opener seemed to spark even more confidence in the home side, with Eastbourne struggling to keep up with Seaford’s fluidity in tight spaces. The hosts were able to double their lead just after the half hour mark, with Abz Beadle getting on the scoresheet with a drilled finish at the near post after doing well to beat a defender at the byline.

Seaford added a third from the spot with just under 5 minutes to play in the first half, after Macey Gipson was brought down in the area having managed to weave her way into the box. Up stepped captain Jordan Lucas, who finished with conviction into the bottom right corner to make it 3-0 before half time.

While Eastbourne’s performance had shown slight improvement following the restart, Seaford continued to dominate in possession, and with a three-goal cushion to their name, were able to take further control of the game. Having had a number of efforts go amiss through the first 20 minutes of the second period, Seaford went on to extend their lead to 4.

Once again it was Gipson who was able to win a penalty for her side, this time after being bundled to the ground in the process of attempting to get a shot off from close range. It was Akehurst who took responsibility from the spot, finishing high into the net to further Seaford’s advantage.

Akehurst went on to make it 5 in the 84th minute, doubling her own tally with a miscued effort from outside which looped over the head of the Eastbourne Town ‘keeper and into the back of the net. With the visitors’ fate long sealed having succumbed to a dominant Seaford performance, substitute Lucy Jellett managed to round off the scoring in the 90th minute with a fine finish across goal after being played in behind the last Eastbourne defender.

Seaford Town:
Katie Burr
Abz Beadle (off 49')
Sharnie Franks
Jordan Lucas
Lucia Law
Eloise Saunders
Paige Hanson (off 81')
Paris Akehurst
Macey Gipson
Brooke Pallant (off 53', on 75')
Nadine Martin (off 59')

Subs (rolling): Lucy Jellett (on 81'), Franci Heasman (on 59', off 75'), Nicci Latter (on 53'), Kelsey Birchmore (on 49'), Sarah Barton