A return to winning ways in dramatic style with a hard fought 4-3 victory over AFC Sporting Meridian B. Circumstances were against Bexley from the start as Elton chose to play injured and MJ was drafted in for 45 minutes. Sporting made a critical error pre match having won the toss; they opted to give Bexley the wind and hill advantage in the second half.
Sporting started the game the stronger as Bexley struggled to cope with the blustering wind. Dan was kept busy in the early stages and had to be alert to prevent being embarrassed by several speculative efforts, including an early corner dropping into the far post. Bexley were trying to keep the ball short, but Sporting were stronger and more composed on the ball and would punish their opponents for their sluggish start.
A long ball down the left beyond James gave the attacker a run at Steve; he cut inside and slotted home low into the near post. Bexley’s heads dropped and a lack of energy was evident throughout the team. Sporting doubled their lead as they pounced on a second ball at a corner to fire home from close range. Although the early intention was an improvement on last week, an early goal had destroyed confidence and Bexley produced another 45 minutes without a shot on target as Elton’s shot over was the closest effort for the away side. The fight, gut, and courage from the early games of the season had gone as the conditions reflected the Bexley performance.
To compound the misery, Lee had picked up an injury leaving Bexley with 3 defenders. As planned MJ withdrew at half time so Pete made his first appearance of the season to help his team. Lee played on up front alongside Elton, as Bexley went all or nothing with 3 at the back.
The second half was a completely different story. Bexley upped the work rate across the pitch and appeared to be up for the battle. The change in conditions meant passing options were widened and Bexley earned a penalty when Matty Bs shot was handled. Elton rather scuffed the penalty down the middle to bring his team back into the game. Lee was then inches from levelling at the far post. However playing three at the back was always going to be a risk and Sporting were frequently overloading Mark on the right flank. But Bexley will be disappointed to concede another set piece goal, as Sporting scored three unmarked players eventually combined to get the ball into the net.
It was looking like the fight back in vain but with Pete anchoring the midfield, Rob Hazlewood, Olly and Elton were continually causing problems for Sporiting. It would be the former pair who combined to halve the deficit as Olly played in Elton to round the keeper and finish. Bexley battled on and threw everything to find the equaliser, with enormous credit going to the defence for keeping Bexley in touch in difficult circumstances.
Then Bexley got what they deserved. By not giving up on a corner delivered by Mark, the Robs combined as Hazlewood assisted Purcell to bundle the ball over the line. Sporting naturally opened up in the later stages to try to regain the lead, and the game was finely balanced and seemingly heading for extra time. Then, after Olly was denied from close range, Sporting nearly won it, and Bexley did win it. Desperate last ditch defending by Rob off the line after Dan and Steve combined to halt the Sporting attacker was followed by a mis-hit long ball flicked on by Lee to Elton who scored one of the most important of his 50 Bexley goals to win an unbelievable game.
Next round sees Bexley face Woodside Celtic Reserves
