Game 4: Home vs Eltham Phoenix A.
Conditions: Blustery
Opponents at kick off: 3rd, four points behind Bexley
Pete bought Louis into the starting 11 in place of Lee with Laurie shifting to centre back alongside Kev. The real captain Steve was named on the bench alongside new signing Adam Petitt, scouted by Laurie. Crucial game, as this was second versus third.
Eltham won the toss and strangely decided to with the wind in the first half. Having won the previous three games, it was clear Bexley were not at the races today. To fill a bit of page space, we will mention what didn’t happen in the first half using bullet points:
· Bexley didn’t score
· Louis didn’t get kicked
· Mark didn’t dive
· Rob didn’t hand ball
Bexley seemed stuck in their own half for most of the first period; not helped by the wind and Dan’s less than accurate kicking. However, Elton did have a cross come shot from the left which whistled wide. Bexley were struggling to find an outlet despite the talent on the pitch, and it was Eltham who looked far more threatening and giving the back for a real test. Sam was doing a good defensive shift down the left, but Eltham nearly scored when a speculative shot deflected off Rob just wide. The corner produced another close chance with a strong header at the near post. Several times Dan was called on to relieve the pressure; most notably out on right side of the box. The keeper was then forced to go airborne from a well struck free kick.
However the inevitbable occurred 5 minutes before half time. Very simple, the second ball from the corner was not defended in any shape or form; and the Eltham player found the top corner. In truth, we were lucky not to be more than one down at half time.
Banter of the day came at half time. After changing at half time and rushing to get back on the pitch:
Dan “I didn’t get to have any of the Oranges”
From absolutely nowhere, sitting behind the bags, Mel “You look like an Orange!”
There would be an environmental advantage in the second half, and the teams rather cancelled each other out making it difficult for Bexley to find an equaliser. Some of the heading from the centre backs for unorthodox but effective. Louis’s shot from edge of the box was not effective. An array of set pieces were not capitalised on. The frustration was beginning to show as Bexley were not used to being in a losing position this season, and could feel their unbeaten record slipping away.
Chances came and went. Laurie had a header on goal and Louis also had a header saved. Adam and Steve were introduced with the clock ticking and did seem to give a shot of energy. This is no discredit to John and Sam’s efforts for the day who put in very respectable performances. Sam played through the annoyance of a blister for much of the game. Dark Destroyer and Haliniho were putting the defence in a pressure cooker towards the end of the game. James toe poked a ball towards goal which was cleared off the line. Elton pressed the defender resulting in a corner. Virtually everyone piled forward. The delivery from Louis was on the money and an almighty goal mouth scramble commenced. The ball rebounded off Kev who used his weight well to block the keeper allowing Laurie to force the ball over the line. Celebrations tinged with relief as Bexley rescued a point.
Maroon beat New Eltham, so Bexley stay second 2 points off top.
