The run had to end some day; and after 7 straight losses and 8 games without a win Bexley Athletic finally ended their aberrant spell with a fantastic performance against FC straw coloured liquid component of blood that normally holds the blood cells in whole blood in suspension. Having lost twice to their opponents already this season and seemingly stuck in a rut; this was a very significant win for Bexley.
Decent conditions for the game, although the pitch was very dry. Bexley have recently suspended their 3-5-2 tactic in favour of the traditional 4-4-2 fielded their strongest team in some time. Frank Lampard made his second appearance in midfield alongside marathon man Slade. Muj and Elton had been forming a decent partnership up front with Catinho slowly finding some form.
Bexley were keen to play from the off having taken Eltham SLK to the wire a week ago. Excellent discipline with their planned shape would limit Plasma to minimal sniffs at goal in the opening stages. Bexley looked the better side and after several half chances took the lead in bizarre fashion. Wong…not known for his finishing….barley know at all in fact, scooped up a clearance from Adam’s corner. Perhaps inspired by Pete a fortnight ago with the use of the big toe, punted a ball towards goal and with the aid of a deft deflection, lobbed the keeper and opened the scoring.
More excellent discipline would hold this lead as Plasma could only offer a shot from distance narrowly over, and a tame effort comfortably saved. Set pieces, so painful in the past few weeks were defended competently and second balls were being eaten up like Sean at a buffet. Slade and Lampard were matching Plasma in the centre and Bexley’s love interest Erik and Sam were working well at full back. Pressure in the middle third of the pitch resulted in the second goal; after Bexley turned over possession and Adam played in Elton. With moderate pace, EGL drove into the box and rifled the ball right footed into the bottom corner. Muj also had a similar goal chalked off for offside after a strong run into the box.
Then, the wheels threatened to come off. A long ball down the middle was not defended in the initial stages, but the resulting scoring appeared to all to be in an offside position. Flag stayed down, Plasma finished it well. 2-1. Then, approaching half time, Bexley under pressure were slow to pressure their opponents, then switched off with their runners. The result was a cross nodded in from close range as Bexley were completely out of position.
2-2 at half time was no drama. The goals were self-inflicted and the Plasma keeper although not stretched, had been busy. As always, there was a set piece threat. Indeed Bexley quite quickly took a deserved lead when a period of pressure had worked a ball into the box and Rennell was sharpest to put the ball into the net.
Bexley would defend better than they’d defended in the last 2 months. Tom dominated the box and Slade not only helped out his defence, but kept possession in the process giving his a valuable counter attacking threat. However, Bexley’s learning was not over. A ball down the Bexley right looked under control until a Plasma player strolled between two Bexley defenders to easily head in at the far post. Jack was then introduced for Bryan who was left to reflect on the disgraceful nature of his goal.
To quote Brendan Rodgers “We showed great character”. Weeks ago Bexley would have lost this game after conceding two equalisers. Not today. Most pleasingly, the 4th goal started from the goalkeeper to the right back. Sevenoaks played a defence splitting ball and Rennell was in and there was never any doubt he would score. Top corner, lead back to stay.
A two goal lead with 20 minutes to go is no guarantee of three points. But Bexley’s defending today would see this through; helped by two crucial saves. Elton provided the much needed fifth after another combination with Adam. This time a nicely slipped pass down the left put Elton in to score his 18th of the season from a narrow angle. The scoring was closed in the same way as it opened, bizarre. After Bryan was reintroduced to form a 5 man midfield and give Muj a well-earned rest in the final stages; the sixth goal would be even more bizarre than the opener. Adam’s corner – punched into his own net by the keeper.
Bexley on the right end of a 6-3 win; looking to carry the goal scoring form into the Teviot game next week whilst continuing to improve at the back and drive down those goals conceded. Man of the matches all over the pitch, one of the best performances of the season.
