Man of the Match- James Hall, superb display capped with two goals
Goal of the Match- Elton's first goal, superb individual skill with a neat finnish
Save of the Match- Dan's save down to his left in the first half was important in the context of the game
Moment of the match- Elton maybe representing his country in 2012, showing fantastic diving technique today
Away day took Bexley to the Co-op ground to play bottom of the table Charlton & Eltham Casuals who only had one point before kick-off. Changes from the previous game had been made, with Adam Guildford due to return to midfield but injury robbed him of his place, so Sean was reinstated in the holding role. A combination of an injury and awful form saw Elton running the line in the first half, and Steve Bird migrated back to left full back allowing James Hall to play up front alongside Dan.
Eltham showed their hand early on, using some skilful midfielders to test the Bexley defence. The small pitch would make the long ball difficult for both teams, not to mention the wobbly lines and uneven surface. Bexley had the first real effort on target, pushing forward the ball fell to Matt Bennett who hit a fine shot and was only denied by a splendid save for the goalkeeper. Bexley efforts were scarce in the first half, same old same old of being forced to speculative efforts and a decent opportunity for Dan which he hit wide.
Eltham didn’t look like a team bottom of the league, their spirit in the first half was commendable. After a sloppy goal kick the player beat the defence and tested Dan at the near post. A gap was emerging between the Bexley midfield, and front two that combined with a lack of movement meant Bexley were losing the ball on a regular occurrence. Having said this, Sean and Laurie were dominating when the ball was off the deck.
A period of individual errors meant Bexley were skating on thin ice. Steve appeared to wait until next season before he cleared the ball and was promptly dispossessed in a dangerous position. Only a decent one handed save from Dan spared Steve are rare error. Dan had his own misdemeanour coming out for a ball and slipping making a complete hash of it. Then, James Brown never normally trusted near his own goal, made the simple task of controlling the ball a yard away from the goal line into a comical own goal scare.
Saves at the feet of the striker and one with his feet by Dan kept the score at zero but this was to change. Corner conceded, Kev an absolute disgrace to lose his man allowing the easy task of a point blank header into the net, with Pete less than happy with the organisation at the corner. Eltham had edged the first half and went in with a small lead.
Half time called for confidence in Bexley’s play, and to implement the drill from training, plus for the forwards to work the defence more. Their frailty in the air on the counter attack was well identified and would be utilised in the second half.
Second half it was clear Bexley were more ambitious. Mark, Laurie, James and Dan were all showing their attacking qualities and some good defending and last ditch blocking. Laurie turned the defender well only to flop his shot wide. A few players skied some shots over before the break through. A deserved equaliser was never far away, it came from a succession of efforts and a heroic defensive block before James Hall casually tucked the ball wall showing his strikers instinct.
Action on the bench as the somewhat forgotten Elton Lewis came on for Dan, Bexley didn’t hold their breath for an impact. Bexley didn’t settle for the draw, the smelt a win was on the cards. What a goal it was. Elton gave the defender no time on the ball out wide and beat the next defender with a skilful step over. He fed the ball to Laurie to accurately find the net.
Bexley then sat back slightly but coped well with the increased attacking tactics. A stroke of genius from the substitute was to widen the margins. Again with the ball out wide he put his head a beat a handful of defenders before cutting in to toe punt in with his left foot. The highlight of his season so far and answering all the critics.
With a quarter of an hour to go this game was not over, and Eltham won a free kick in a threatening position. The player did well to well to get it over the three giants of Lee, Sean and Laurie in the wall and Dan did what he should have done last week, palming the ball round the post. The game was now more open. Sean had caused mayhem from Steve’s long throws all game; and Steve himself had a decent volleyed effort off target. Despite some silent moments the back four played their part in keeping the score down (oooosh).
Bexley scored their fourth with Mark working well down the wing finding Elton to control and slot the ball into the bottom corner. Four became five as the team worked well at a corner to keep the ball in the danger area to allow James to get his brace. Tom Daley seemed to have joined the team has Elton rather embarrassingly through himself on the floor, but the referee was unimpressed. Other moments of note in the second half were Lee’s flick come header, and James Brown bullying the infant linesman, plus Santa Claus intercepting a pass on the touch line in the first half.
A terrific win for Bexley and will do wonders for the goal difference that has been damaged earlier in the season. Still no clean sheet this season, had but it should come. After the disappointment in the past few weeks, the attacking midfield and strikers dominated the second half for a well deserved win, with Pete very pleased at full time. Easily the best game of the season so far. Well done to Sean for not getting booked.
