Ninety one days had passed since the last ball of 2012/13 was kicked. A six week pre-season training programme implemented by Pete (experience) and Mark (BSc Sport and Exercise Science). Much had changed over the summer. Best wishes to Josh as he searches for first team football and with his university ventures. A big welcome back to an old face John Church, and an even older face Sasha Watson. Much of the old guard from the previous three successful seasons remained, as preparations for arguably the toughest season yet continued.
A new 4-3-3 formation was introduced to encourage a better standard of football. Olly was drafted in to make up the numbers with little brother Declan playing his first ever men’s game. FC Sporting donated manager Russel for the day.
Bexley used the early stages to adapt to their new shorter style of play. As the half progressed the football improved, however there were few chances in front of goal to write home about aside from Rob’s header and Russel’s volley over. However, Bexley were experiencing good periods of possession.
There was the expected footballing rustiness throughout the team. Decision making with the new system would take some getting used to. After a couple of hairy moments, it would be Mark who would be the unlucky one to give the ball away at the crucial moment. That said, Bexley could have defended better as the Sporting striking danced through to score.
Bexley responded well and reorganised. Communication at the back was good, with Dan only required to make two worthy saves in the first half; the second as a result of brilliant combined instinctive goal line defending from Rob and Declan. Attacking set pieces looking more promising, and it would be from a corner the equaliser would materialise. Mark hit the in swing, and after a bit of pin ball Sasha would get the final touch.
Half time and the mood was positive, with the new formation showing real signs of promise. However, it was evident by committing more forward the midfield needed to track back to avoid being exposed on the counter attack. A few adjustments were made with Olly taking up more of a holding role, allowing the more talented Declan to push forward.
The second half was much of the same. Bexley were playing the better football but Sporting were more threatening in front of goal by playing through their number 14. Declan was playing well chasing every ball, and John was making a solid return at right back. Rob did his customary hand ball with Lee putting in a shift on just half an hour’s sleep.
Although Bexley were not creating many open play chances, they were forcing free kicks and corners. It would be the latter which produced the second goal, as Olly squeezed a header between the defender and the post.
Ex Bexley player Sean had been introduced at half time and was making his presence felt. Olly and Declan who obviously share the same anger gene were giving as good as they got. Sensing an opportunity, Dan’s attempts to get Sean booked back fired when he uncharacteristically fluffed a goal kick straight to the opposition. Doing his best not to look like an absolute mug, forcing the attacker wide was futile as the ball was tapped in at the far post.
As the game entered its final stages either team could win. Sporting looked sharper after 6 pre season friendless before facing Bexley. Warning signs were there, when Kev almost ruined a decent defensive performance by stepping up at the wrong time, and simultaneously put Dan in red card territory. Fortunately keeper and defence combined to keep the scores level. The winner would come from slice of fortune when the defence was opened up John looked to have the situation under control on the cover until a wiked bobble took the ball away from the right back conveniently into the path of the attacker who struck a fine half volley into the far corner. Just before the whistle, Bexley almost earned a deserved draw but Olly couldn’t direct the header far enough away from the keeper this time.
All in all a good start and promising times ahead with match sharpness and returning players.
