Bexley Athletic 5-2 Junior Red Spartans
Any references to people in this report are meant purely as banter and should not be taken as personal insults. The views in this report are from the perception of Dan Davis only, and may not represent the general views of Bexley Athletic football club.
Round three of Bexley Atheltic vs Junior Red Spartans took place at Hall place this Mother’s Day morning. Bexley in good form had put five past their rivals earlier in the season but had come off the back of a disappointing performance the week before. Junior Reds had strengthened starting two players Bexley know well in Sam Jennings and Simon Facer.
Bexley got an early blow as captain Adam Guildford had fallen over dancing the night before ruling him out for up to three weeks. This meant Matt Bennett was relegated to midfield with new signing Kenan starting up front with James.
On a very dry pitch the game got under way, with Junior Reds coming at Bexley with no real penetration. It soon emerged Junior Red’s goalkeeper was uncertain under the high ball and Mark looked to capitalise on this with a free kick just inside the opposition half. The goalkeeper flapped at the ball and a combination of last ditch defending and the bar prevented Bexley from going one up.
Despite attacking from the wide position with no real end Junior Reds did not offer too much in the early stages. Bexley took a deserved lead with an exquisite flick from Luke was finished nicely by James. It was noted that Junior Reds responded positively to going behind led by Justin himself bringing the ball back to the centre spot. However, even with Dan collided with Laurie and Luke respectively with balls into the box, and a spilt corner being cleared off the line Spartan’s couldn’t get themselves back into the game.
Inevitably it was 2-0. Elgin received the ball from Luke, turned and hit a class shot on the volley into the top right corner. Goal of the season contender, maybe, just maybe. The rest of the second half was relatively uneventful. Bexley had some chances but Junior Reds came closest when a whipped ball into the box evaded Kev and Lee for the striker who connected well. Gaz thought it was in but Dan got down to get two hands to the ball pushing it wide via the post. Later Justin did well to run from the edge of his box to almost get through on goal only to be talked by the covering defender. Bexley went into half time positive, knowing they were in complete control of the game at this point.
After fixing bruised bodies after some physical challenges the game kicked off. Matt and Luke were still controlling the midfield, Laurie had the winger down the left in his pocket and Steve was leading well from right back. With this strength Bexley couldn’t capitalise on this dominance (even having the confidence to shoot from kick off). Dan almost had a terrible moment when a simple catch slipped through his hands but fortunately went just wide. From the resulting corner Spartan’s got a fluke goal. The corner was played in flat, Dan didn’t get to the ball, free header in the box, led to a bit of a scramble with the ball hitting the bar and coming out for Junior Reds player to play the ball in off his arm.
Confidence was renewed into the red team always looking to counter wherever possible, but was seemingly unable to breach the defence. Only one save was forced from the speedy right fielder down low by Dan. A ball over the top of Kev caused some problems but with the Goalkeeper out of position Junior Reds couldn’t hit the target.
Bexley’s third goal settled any nerves when a set piece ball was flicked on well off Laurie’s head for Mark Baulsom to pounce, making up for not playing last week. A second failed attempted shot from kick off followed this. Three became four when a dubious penalty was awarded for a push in the box. With regular penalty taker Adam standing on crutches on the sidelines James stepped up to smash it down the middle.
A sweet moment for Lee contributed to the fifth goal, dispossessing Justin and accidently, but on purpose, playing in Laurence. Lee sprinted like Usain Bolt to support Laurence and seeing Lee with a potential tap in, Laurence decided it was safer to stick it in the top corner himself. Two foul throws from former team mates Alan and Simon summed up Spartan’s morning. Just before full time, another dubious penalty decision was given against Matt setting up Justin vs Dan round two. Justin was never really going to stray from the preferred bottom left strike but not quite getting it in the corner played into his hands when Dan’s save fell nicely straight back to his right foot to smash into the roof of the net.
Final score 5-2, three wins from three against junior reds scoring 14 and conceding 5. This win could move us above Barca into third, and we play Orpington Park next week without two crucial midfielders. Steve maintains his unbeaten record as captain, James joins Matt on eleven goals, and Luke joins Steve and Adam on two man of the match awards. Good game all round, particularly Matt, striker turned midfielder defending where possible not to mention Luke assisting three of the five goals.
(Ratings by Peter Baulsom)
