Bexley and Barca both showed their promotion credentials in an epic 3-3 draw. With Bexley benefiting from a slice of fortune in the form of six extra points in the week, runners up spot was there for the taking twice but Barca fought back to take it to the last day. Ironically, Bexley will be hoping for a massive favour from rivals Junior Reds Spartans.
Steve retuned to make up a first choice back five, although Matty and Laurie would prove to be notable absentees further up the pitch. Lee would play his final game as captain. Mark continued to motivate the team in his own special way.
Both teams did well to produce a decent standard of football on a far from well maintained pitch. An early lead for Bexley was inches away, as a centred ball from Mark somehow avoided the in rushing Elton and James. Barca were straight back up the other end, with their big strong attacker in behind Kev, but denied by Dan’s left toe. However, the Bexley keeper shortly make a critical error. Barca were on the attack and Rob denied the attacker an easy chance by standing him up and forcing wide. But the hit and hope shot was misjudged by the keeper giving Barca an early lead.
Bexley replied with character, this game was going to be a marathon not a sprint. Their efforts were repaid after a sublime piece of skill from Elton. Forced towards the by-line, he produced a piece of skill he clearly learned whilst in the practice zone on FIFA 13, to set up James for a simple tap in. Both teams produced some good play, but some good defending kept the keepers redundant up to half time.
With the start of the second half Bexley took control. Even Josh would have hit the target from two yards where Lee managed to miss. However, when the going gets tough; step up Mark Baulsom for another embarrassing simulation. Minimal contact on the edge of the box led to Mark throwing himself to the ground and the referee awarding a penalty. Having said this, Bexley were hard done by with Purcel’s award against them a few weeks back so this could be seen as things evening themselves out. James hit the same spot as he has all season and converted.
Barca would then be the catalysts of their own downfall. With their striker perhaps frustrated at Laurence kicking him earlier, he used foul and abusive language to tell the referee what he thought of a later disallowed goal resulting in two successive yellow cards and his dismissal. Despite this Barca struck back. Kev got caught diving in and the attacker cut inside with no covering defender putting a foot in. He curled the ball into the ball beyond into the far corner. They were in again shortly after, but it was again Dan’s foot which prevented the goal.
Bexley then took the lead for a third time. Mark’s corner found its way to Rob at the far post who finished with a bullet header. Surely Bexley had sealed this win. A crucial moment then followed. Another corner reaped havoc and a looped header from Laurence fell inches away from sealing the deal, as it hit the bar. This was the margin in such a game as Bexley would unusually be undone from a set piece. A corner landed on the far post and exchanged blows between Rob and James before deflecting off Lee into the net. With both teams going for it, perhaps a fair result as the game ended 3-3.
Bexley now require Barca to fail to win in their final game for second place.
