Bexley Athletic returned to action after a three week break play Bromley Spartans. The reverse fixture earlier in the season resulted in a 2-1 win for Bexley after Bromley had a player controversially sent off. Bexley were looking to push for promotion having picked up three points off suspending Bromley Sporting two weeks ago.
Bexley had a strong squad and were confident. Pitch nine bought new scenery to play within and windy conditions blowing into Bexley in the first half. Bexley kicked off and it took a while for both teams to get to grips with conditions. Bexley’s main threat came from launching the ball into the box coming close on a few occasions. Adam had a long range effort struck well but narrowly over the bar. Elgin and Mark linked up well with Steve and John respectively and Luke was proving a useful target man for Lee from goal kicks. However, Bexley were unable to get their game to flow like they had done a few weeks earlier against Junior Reds. Bromley’s goalkeeper pulled off an impressive save from a free kick which Luke whipped round the wall into the bottom corner.
Bromley were not without their chances, an attempted lob had Dan scampering back as did a ball that spun and bounced over. A wicked “Drogba esk” turn and volley whistled wide to give Bexley a further warning that Bromley were not just making up the numbers. Just before the goal Dan fielded a powerful free kick, bowled it out to Steve who decided to flick the ball at his own hand with remarkable skill. Bromley, got their goal just before half time, Bexley’s defence were not brave or aggressive enough to clear several phases of a ball bouncing between players on the edge of the box and it fell to the player on the Bexley left to fire across goal and score via the post.
The second half gave Bexley the advantage with the wind behind them. Persistence from Bexley just couldn’t get Laurence or Matt in for a goal scoring opportunity. Despite this, Bexley equalised when Mark’s corner fell to Adam who struck a low shot which squirmed under the goalkeeper.
Bexley looked to push on for the win but Bromley also looked dangerous on the counter attack even though attempts on target fell straight at Dan. Aaron had been bought on for Elgin and Kenan bought on for Matt in an attempt to find the winner. Luke had another free kick saved at the near post and then, very out of character missed a simple header from 5 yards out to put Bexley ahead.
However, late in the second half the game turned. Steve, Kev, Lee and John had cut out some promising counter attacks for Bromley but resistance was futile. A ball down the right again was initially dealt with superbly by john, but Bromley won the ball back, switched the play and centred the ball to the attacker who inexplicably was unmarked on the penalty spot to control and rifle into the bottom corner past Dan. The inquest at the back started but was pointless.
In the final minutes Bexley showed character that at times was lacking earlier in the game in an attempt to salvage a point, with the final attack landing harmlessly into the goalkeeper’s arms and full time was called.
This result damages the promotion chances massively. Realistically to keep it in our hands we need to win the last four games which is more than possible with some decent performances. Woodside Celtic are the opponents next week who we smashed 7-1 in the second pre-season friendly but beat us at home earlier in the season. If Bexley find our A-game, we can be unplayable again.
