Bexley went down fighting to Division two side FC Kawooya who were twelve league positions above them at kick off. The underdogs were ultimately outplayed by the better team, but the underdogs can consider themselves unlucky as they were eight minutes away from their second semi final. The 120 minutes would be action packed with eleven goals and four clearances off the line.
With Dan serving his last of his unjust 3 match ban, Kev was in goal. Lee turned up for a change and wrestled the captains armband of Steve as Elton was controversially dropped to the bench.
Bexley took a shock lead 3 minutes in. Rob with a previous record of conceding penalties, actually found it more productive to contribute at the other end. The corner came in, and a combination of the keeper and the bar thwarted Rob at the first attempt, but he wasn’t to be denied on the rebound. Kev was then in action at the other end, making his first save in six years getting two hands to a firm strike. Four minutes on, Bexley were giving it a real go, with Mark looking to add to his goal from last week but striking just wide.
Kawooya equalised on nineteen minutes, as Bexley failed to defend a cross. Kev then used his breasts to smother another shot, this team falling to the ground like an overweight penguin. Bexley kept their heads up and bounced back with Louis and James both having shots blocked. James would then hit a scorcher. The right midfielder received the ball in the centre of the park, set the ball for himself and hit a wikid dipping shot over the keeper. The goal one minute before half time sent shock waves through kawooya, who claimed not to have lost at home all season.
Pete was impressed at half time, but Bexley knew there was much hard work ahead. Matt had a chance early on which he hit wide, but it wouldn’t be long before Kawooya were back on terms, aided by a mistake from the stand in keeper. But Kawooya were catalysts of their own downfall. Elton just on, fresh from the most inspirational speech he had ever heard, terrorised the defence and cut in from the right, shot left footed which was blocked on the line with the defenders arm. After a minor debate, James stepped up to score the penalty.
As the minutes ticked on Bexley started to smell victory. Chance after chance came and went for Kawooya with the ref not recognising Kev making a decent save down at this right post. Louis was called upon for a clearance off the line. The Bexley bubble exploded when a tired back four made mistakes and seemingly let Kawooya for two goals in the closing minutes. With one minute remaining, Bexley were losing a goal they were winning only a few minutes ago.
However, Bexley were not down and out as the second of Dan and Petes substitutes made an impact. Fresh from his man marking, Josh earned his team a free kick twenty yards out just off to the right. Louis stepped and matched Jame’s strike with a ferocious free kick to send the game to extra time.
Bexley resorted back to the 4-4-2 for the start of extra time, after a mix of formations in second half. However, Bexley had peaked and Kayoowa would take advantage of a tired opponent. Lee made a clearance from the goal line, but Kawooya scored from the resulting corner despite Matt and James Brown’s best efforts. Six minutes later, James got confused and scored for the other team as Bexley felt the game slipping way. Bexley switched to 4-3-3 as a last gasp attempt to get back into the match, but it was Rob this time who was forced to make a goal line clearance. Bexley did create chances, but could not fashion that goal scoring opportunity.
Matt came close with a decent goal bound shot blocked, but a seventh goal for Kawooya shortly after would finish Bexley off. Mark and Louis both had late chances for a consolation but could not hit the target.
Three home games on the bounce against Sparrows Lane, Sporting St George, and YMCA Elite. After one win, no clean sheets and twelve goals conceded, Bexley will be boosted by the true number one being available for selection next week.
