Off the back of the 5-0 thrashing last week, a crucial encounter between two of Division three’s top three sides, all in with a shout of promotion. With Barca’s form slipping over the past few weeks, this could be an opportunity for Bexley Athletic to leap frog them into second place. Barca would be confident having come from behind to win 6-3 in the cup in October.
With a strong squad to select from, Peter decided to revert back to 4-4-2 with top goal scorer Matt Bennett partnered with Laurence up front. Both team passed the ball around well in the opening moments. Bexley had an early opportunity with a free header from a corner, but Kevin Davis, not the most natural of goal scorers didn’t connect with the ball.
The game was very open, and some poor defending in opening minutes gave Barca two clear opportunities which they wasted. A Barca long throw caused further problems with a header being tipped over. Bexley had their opportunities with Matt Bennett being played through but narrowly missing the target. Barca’s strong front man supported by two fast wingers caused more problems for Bexley’s back four who had a poor opening quarter to the match, and when Adam and Steve failed to clear a ball on the edge of the box, Barca striker was played in to scuff the ball into the bottom corner.
With some honest words said at the back, Bexley got their act together controlling the midfield better and defending tighter. Lee made a crucial intervention when Barca’s big striker looked to be through on goal, Baulsom junior managed to track back timing his tackle brilliantly. If he got that wrong, a red card was inevitable. Despite Bexley’s good passing in the midfield scoring opportunities were few and far between. It could have been 2-0 at half time when a Barca attack saw a striker rifle the ball at goal from 15 yards; saved and held by Dan. Bexley got themselves back into the game when Adam won a free kick to the left side of the box twenty yards out. With the Barca goalkeeper looking far from convincing, Adam opted to shoot and equalised with the standard long range effort into the far corner. Half time, 1-1 in a tight game.
Peter step into action at half time installing confidence into the team, emphasising the need to get the ball down and play. This was installed in the second half with a much better defensive display. Barca did have one chance early in the second half one vs one but put it wide. Aaron had Bexley’s best chance of the third quarter, trying to match his wonder goal against this same opposition by hooking the ball Zola like over the goalkeeper but the Barca stopper saved easily.
The game turned on a dubious decision to say the least, when the ball bounce up in the box striking Laurie’s arm, but despite the Bexley left back clearly did not intend to handle the ball the referee decided to award a penalty. Delaying tactics did not prevent Barca player smashing the penalty into the roof of the net.
In the past were Bexley may have gone further behind after poor decision, but the reaction could not have been more positive. Maximum effort was put in to draw level, and when the ball fell to Elgin’s left boot we looked to have got our rewards only to have the ball cleared off the line. Much of the final 15 minutes were spent in the Barca half, but Barca looked dangerous on the counter attack. Adam and Steve led from the front keeping the momentum going with quick free kicks. The effort again looked to have paid off when a long ball fell to Mark who rattled the post. With Bexley going for the winner, Barca could have snatched a 3-1 win with a half volley smashed down the middle over the bar via Dan’s finger tips but a goal kick was awarded. Bexley had one last chance when Steve earned a free kick in a similar position to the goal from the first half. With Kev standing in the goalkeeper’s view Adam whipped in the ball to the far post for Laurie out jumping everyone to nod it in and send Bexley into raptures. Almost the last touch of the game earned Bexley a well deserved point, but a magnificent team effort after we went behind must be mentioned. It should also be said that despite not playing, Luke came to support, the chairman was on the sidelines too, and Steve played 90 minutes half drunk.
This draw should leave us third in the league with our unbeaten record now stretching for three games in all competitions. Could this be enough to earn Peter the Division three Manager of the Month Award?
(Ratings this week by Peter Baulsom)
