Man of the Match- James Hall
Goal of the Match-Mark Baulsom, right place, right time
A return to action for a less than well conditioned Bexley Athletic after the Christmas break. With the warm up uted at a significantly slower pace, the speedy New Life were sure to provide a stern test. Lee absent, still in prison so Steve was captain as Bexley just about got an 11 together for kick off.
The away side would enter the cup contest as favourites starting the game a league above Bexley. It would be an uneventful opening to the game which was beset by short goal kicks from Dan and Bexley being outplayed in the air, struggling to get their striker involved. New life made in roads into the Bexley box calling from last ditch defending in a solid display from the back four. New life failed to hit the target with several opportunities which would later cost them. Up the over end, the New Life keeper was looking far from convincing.
Towards the end of the half, New Life were still dominant in possession but Bexley were managing to get a foot on the ball. James Hall appeared to sense a decent chance for a goal against this clearly inexperienced keeper. He danced into the box and then was sinically hacked down, hitting the ground in a manner only Mark Baulsom would have been proud of. James stepped up for the resulting penalty and slotted it away bottom right just like Frank Lampard (champions league winner and the greatest goal scoring midfielder the Premier League has ever seen). Despite being under the cosh for most of the game, Bexley could have been 2-0 up at half time. James won a free kick mid way into the New Life half which Mark looped into the far post for Laurie to head back when he maybe could have gone for goal for no one to be on the spot for a tap in.
Surely New Life would hit the second half running and get themselves back into the game. Matt and Mark had other ideas. On precisely 45:46 Matt crossed from the left and who else but Mark Baulsom who chose not to dive on this occasion, but to beat the keeper to the ball and score right footed to net his second of the season.
With their workload doubled New Life resumed dominance in possession. Dan initiated time wasting giving the referee plenty of practice with his stop watch. Defending was again top class from Bexley, not only the back for, but by everyone on the pitch. However an achilles hill was in the air at set pieces but New Life squandered chance after chance. With only one save to speak of mid way through the half, James Hall having a decent game rescued his team at the back when another free header was cleared off the line by the stretching striker in a heroic effort. Bexley maybe missing Lee’s presence in their own box.
Having sat on the fence for any questionable decision as linesman, Josh entered at left midfield replacing Calum who made a solid return, not quite fully fit. New Life would register on the score sheet with a minute to go. Header at the far post deflected off Dan which then deceived James’ effort this time with the striker unnecessarily bundling the Bexley players into the goal. The referee said he would have given a penalty for some phantom shirt pulling. It was too little too late as Bexley marched into (only the second round!) to face either Barca or Bourne United on January 27th.
