In the penultimate game of the season Bexley went to the Co-op ground to play New Life United. With promotion now not a possibility, many were starting to look to next season but the final two games gave an opportunity to finish as high as possible and each individual in the team to stake a claim for their position next season. New Life had smashed Bexley 4-0 in winter 2010 so by no means an easy game. Dan Davis was really gay today.
The weather was warm, the ground was hard, the wind was strong and behind Bexley in the first half. Before the game Pete expressed he was more than happy with the debut season. It became apparent early in the game despite being rather disorganised, New Life main strength was their clear pace. However, they were having problems of their own early on with their goalkeeper not brave enough to take a long kick in the wind. It took some time, but Bexley realised this and pressured New Life high up the pitch.
No real efforts on goal in the early exchanges from Bexley’s point of view, the New Life keeper did struggle to cope with the wind. James did have a free kick which did not trouble the goal. The midfields exchanged blows and were relatively even early on. New Life threatened without a shot on target, with the wind leading to Dan misjudging the bounce of a ball and having to wrestle it back off the striker. The following sequence of events were rather bizarre. Dan met his kick sweetly and the wind pushed it up beyond the front two. The bounce was high and amazingly the ball sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net. A fine strike worthy of premier league standard (Paul Robinson vs Ben Foster 2007).
This was shortly followed by Mr Guildford’s tenth goal of the season, further breathing down the neck of Matt. A free kick was awarded 25 yards out and Adam struck it well into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0. Bexley looked to add to their lead with Matt unable to make an opportunity out of a few half chances and a long shot from Steve drifting harmlessly wide. Kenan was also trying hard to work an opportunity. Bexley were playing very well in all areas of the pitch.
Approaching half time New life had a genuine opportunity when a ball in from the right resulted in a shot pushed away by Dan with Kev moving smartly to block the rebound. Just before half time, New Life somewhat fortuitously got back into a game Bexley had completely under control. A through ball to a forward who was seemingly off side. Dennis flagged but the player played in a team mate to finish well. After a brief discussion the referee ruled the goal to be legal.
Half time confidence was high. New Life didn’t appear to have a recognised striker and was trying to use their pace to get a shot from close range. It is also worth mentioning Pete, who was linesman today, making a ridiculous decision to have the game stopped for a pass back. Clearly he thought Steve Bird was playing for the other team and promptly apologised for this embarrassing involvement.
Bexley had the wind head on in the second half, pulling long balls out to the wings bringing Elgin and Mark into the game more. The wind was helping new life as Bexley rarely ventured out of their half in control of the ball in the opening quarter of the second period. Dan took his time to get to grips with the wind and the trajectory of the ball producing a few hairy moments, most notably when basic hesitation allowed the striker with a clear shot at goal but fired wide from a narrow angle. This appeared to rub off on the team who were understandably a touch nervous when balls were played through even though drifting harmlessly wide.
Problems at the back continued. The decision to counter the pace of the attack with a high line and attempting to rely on the offside trap looked dangerous. It worked at times but when they got it wrong it was leaving Bexley exposed with defensive help to far away from the play. Bexley were let off the hook when a ball was played out wide to the right and was centred but New Life missed their second sitter when the player hit the ball over the bar. As the half progressed, Dan had found his range and collected balls better but couldn’t get the ball far up the pitch with the wind.
The inevitable happened half way through the half. Sloppy defending at the back when Kev missed a header. With the exception of Lee, the team seemed to take an age to track back. Dan saved at the near post but the rebound was retrieved and agonisingly floated it over Lee’s head for a team mate to finally finish. A 2-0 lead slipped from Bexley’s grasp. (superb determination from Lee to attempt to keep his team ahead)
Bexley’s response was positive and instant. Adam was played down the right from midfield, doing well to keep himself onside and centre the ball to Matt who at the second attempt found the net. Most importantly Bexley were ahead again and Matt had one hand on the top goal scorer award.
Bexley reset choosing to continue with the high line. The threat was more condensed but Steve and John were playing a big part in preventing further goal scoring opportunities tracking back. The sluggishness in pushing up when the ball was under control was also causing Bexley unnecessary difficulties. This proved too much as New life scored for a third time. Beating the offside trap the forward was forced wide with Lee in close company. Adam managed to track back but again the rest of the defence were seemingly too far away to offer any assistance, and with Lee failing to stay tight as instructed by Adam the forward managed to turn and squeeze a shot in.
The final part of the game consisted of both teams going for the win. New life fashioned the more meaningful chances with the wind inhibiting any attacking threat from Bexley. Kenan did have a decent chance but was well tackled by the recovering defender. Elgin and Adam could not latch up to find a goal, and Mark couldn’t pull off one more assist. New life could have won several times late on.A long range effort was met well by Dan tipped onto the post. It would be fair to say Bexley held on in the final minutes. A corner flicked on was magnificently cleared off the line by John, with Bexley millimetres from defeat. Still at sixes and sevens Bexley almost lost the game again when the ball from another corner dropped to a player who with quick feet found space for a shot smothered by Dan.
Full time 3-3. Story of the season of being good and poor in the same game but also shows progression from the start of the season as Bexley stood up as oppose to crumbling. On the balance of play draw was a fair result against a team who threatened with little end product. Final game of the season next week against New Eltham who will finish second to bottom. The final chapter in this rollercoaster ride of a season will conclude next week.
(Ratings by Peter Baulsom)
