Bexley succumbed to the inevitable defeat as they struggled to get a team together at home to Barca. With only one of the back 5 playing in their natural position, it was always going to be a tall order defensively, but Bexley remain top having played more games than their closest rivals.
Pete just about managed to put a team together with Dan starting his 3 match ban, and Lee, Kev, and James Brown all away. The make shift back 5 constituted Rob carrying an injury in goal, Matt and Louis full backs with Laurie only just turning up on time to partner Steve in defence. All this looked to be meaningless as the Barca managed tried every trick in the book to get the game postponed, but common sense prevailed in the end and the game went ahead with a small puddle in the middle of the park.
Barca had the better of the opening exchanges with half the Bexley team adjusting to their new positions. Barca set up camp in the Bexley half but Bexley withstood the early pressure with Rob getting some early confidence boosting touches. Barca then came from a 25 yard free kick clipping the bar. As the pressure built Bexley were looking more and more vulnerable, and were grateful to Josh for a clearance off the line after a free header from a corner.
Rob would then learn the harsh reality of being a goalkeeper. Barca were through one vs one, Rob did everything right by standing up until the last minute then getting a hand to the ball before the player ran into him. The referee was obviously watching another game as he pointed to the spot after hopeful appeals from Barca. Even more ridiculous was the referee changing the rules of association football. The phantom foul meant Rob had clearly denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity, however the referee decided because Rob took a part of the ball, it was still a penalty but only worthy of a yellow card. The resulting penalty was unsavable.
The pitch had become even boggier and it was clear this was going to be a slog. The attackers had been limited to precious few sniffs at goal, but were then buoyed by some unconvincing goalkeeping by the Barca number 1 when Louis hit a free kick straight at him. Elton would then test the keeper down low, followed by a similar effort from Mark cutting in from the left. James came the closest in the first half, Barca keeper showing some ability by diving low to his right, with Elton pressuring the rebound.
At half time Calum was bought on for Josh but the opening 15 minutes of the second period would make the game irretrievable for the home side. A scrambled goal doubled barca’s lead, and an equally untidy was the tap in after Rob did well to save the initial shot from a run down the right. The referee was far from convincing all match, officiating on the reactions of players not what he actually saw.
Bexley were somewhat deflated as the game rather petered out for some time. Bexley’s high balls were too straight and too easy to defend as Bexley had generally no shape throughout the pitch. However from nowhere Bexley found a reply, James Hall rifling a free kick into the top corner. Sensing Barca were rattled, Steve tried his luck at a long range effort but missed the target. Rob did well to keep the score as it was by making an important double save, impressive from the rookie. However the away side had the longevity to hold onto their lead, as Bexley were unusually being frustrated by refereeing decisions and the blatant inaccuracies of the Barca lino. No more so was this evident when Calum crossed a ball for Elton to score the best goal of his life; top corner on the volley, quite ridiculously ruled out by the lino for a phantom offside. The end result was a yellow card for Elton, rubbing salt into the wound.
Bexley would then fizzle out of the game as James mishit a shot high and wide. Barca got an undeserved 4th goal handed to them by their opponents when the entire back four failed to play to a rule any under 9 player is able to, this is playing to the whistle leaving the player to stroll in and lob the ball over Rob. No bad luck there, just a lapse in concentration.
Never in the three season Bexley have been playing have there been so many players missing in one position. No one is liable for today’s game, as it was clear from the sideline everyone gave their best. Bexley are still in a healthy position, top having played more games, a net third with Junior Reds at arms length when the games even out.
