Season 4, Week 2; Home vs New Eltham, an old opponent back in season 1. Rain had fallen for 6 days and 6 nights since the last outing as it was classic Sunday League conditions. Pete set up a team which was largely unchanged, Sam Cooper a promising centre midfielder would play his first game out on the left, with Laurence and Louis returning to make up the bench.
Mark, still deputising for the injured Steve won the toss and opted to play into the wind during the first half. Bexley where unsure how to measure their opponents who suffered a humiliating 10-1 defeat on opening day; but were forced to play with 9 men. Today they started with 10. The home side appeared more confident in the early stages and took the initiative. James Hall hit a well struck long range effort with his left foot forcing the keeper into a smart save.
The game was very tight, Bexley looking to create with New Eltham waiting to pounce on the counter attack. Amongst the battle was the usual antics, Rob with a hand ball, Mark landing on the floor like a star fish, and lee hurting his face. Two notable chances at each end before the interval. One of many goal mouth scrambles in the Eltham Area led to a chance for Sam but the effort was blocked. Bexley were almost the makings of their own downfall not looking before they pass. New Eltham were in behind the defence but fortunately the striker was drawn to Dan’s orange kit like a moth to a flame; striking the shot straight at the Bexley keeper who stood up to make the save.
It would seemingly be advantage Bexley in the second half with the conditions; however New Eltham were more aggressive and creative in the second half. Despite this, solid defending meant there would be no further shots on target for the away team. A statistic bought to you by Davis Opta Stats Ltd of opponents fashioning 4 shots on target in two games emphasises the impressiveness and effectiveness of the defending in the opening two games.
Similar to last week, Bexley created plenty of chances but there was no end product. Chances came and went off target for Matty, Elton, Louis, Lee, with Rob having a header cleared off the line. Erratic moments crept into defence with players not listening to their team mates calls around them. As time went on this game could have gone either way, but Bexley were in truth the only team who deserved to win. The goal finally came around 12 minutes from time. Credit to Mark for staying on his feet and pressing the defence high up the pitch. This forced the turn over of possession and in rather scrappy fashion, Laurence got amongst the bodies to slide the ball to Matty who quickly directed the ball beyond the keeper into the bottom corner. Another crucial goal for the striker/midfielder.
The inevitable response from Eltham tested Bexley, but Bexley coped well. Eltham were then relegated back to ten men after a moment of madness consisting of one of there players striking Louis in the shin on the full volley. Rob was then forced into a heroic block in the late stages, where Bexley were forced into some last ditch defending from set pieces to hold the win. Another credible team performance in all areas of the pitch, but pete was seemingly unhappy about the amount of hang overs floating around the team.
