Bexley Athletic’s 8th game of the season saw them face New London for the second time this season. Approaching the half way stage, Bexley were still punching well above their weight, and there was no sign of any technical knock out on the horizon. With the top four of Division 2 as tight as James Hall’s wallet, the pressure was on Bexley to obtain maximum points at home to a team second to bottom in the league. The use of a clock was proving problematic this morning, with Laurie’s completely failing him, and Matty just making the warm up. James Hall returning was the only change.
Both teams were a little lethargic in the opening exchanges, with the ball spending more time than it should have in the air instead of on the floor. Two chances fell to the feet of Bexley’s 10 star striker. But EGL had returned to is usual form of volleying and shooting wide respectively. New London were getting nowhere in the final third until a dubious hand ball decision, as usual sponsored by Robert Purcell. The penalty was converted calmly and coolly.
Frustration was beginning to diffuse through the home side as Bexley couldn’t break New London down despite the attacking talents on the pitch. An although creating pretty much nothing, there was a ferocious left foot at the disposal. But then, up step Lee Baulsom to dispossess New London and feed Mark on the right hand side. Mark slid the ball in the channel to Elton who left the defender standing to centre for Laurence who finished a fine team move which started in the back four underneath an orange beard. The scores were level as the teams went in for half time.
Bexley got themselves together at half time with some wise words from Pete, setting themselves up for the second half which was clearly going to be a battle. Opportunities could clearly be fashioned by pressing the back four, but Bexley had to be careful they didn’t leave huge holes in the midfield. Then came Dan’s standard one significant save of the day. This one was impeccably timed, preventing Bexley going 2-1 down. Some wreckless moron conceded a free kick on the edge of the box in the centre. The free kick struck the wall and rebounded to the left foot man who it a ferocious volley, low, through the line of players. Dan reacted like a cat to shovel the ball behind for a corner.
Clearly buoyed by their keeper’s brilliance, Bexley shortly went up the other end and took the lead. Kev thinks he was involved somewhere, but it was actually Sam who slid the ball to Rob who managed to do two things at once, turn...then shoot to find the bottom left corner.
Further attempts on goal came from Matty B and James Hall as Bexley looked to seal their victory. For the second week in a row, Mark was delivering decent crosses all game. Then, James Brown had his moment to shine. The ball was centred to Lee who this time managed to hit the target from 6 yards. Brown was on the rebound to tap home and for the first time in nearly 3 and a half seasons, he had scored his first goal...however both him and Lee were offside.
Laurence then showed James how a pro scores a goal within the laws of the game. Adam fed in a cross to the near post, and pocher Laurence flicked the ball in to grab a brace and make Bexley feel slightly more comfortable in the closing stages. New London fought back, with many efforts on goal being struck straight at Dan. But they were able to grab a second. The ball was on the edge of the box, Lee momentarily fell asleep giving the attacker the space he needed to find the top corner with a splendid strike.
Bexley knew drawing the game would feel like a loss. Every player dug deep to hold onto the 3-2, with James Brown covering more distance than any during the 90 minutes. This combined effort meant Bexley went one better. Mark cross landed right on the money in the form of James’s right foot on the volley. The keeper could only wave it good bye as it rifled past him.
Great banter after full time as Jim supposedly red carded Dan for a misinterpreted tongue in cheek comment, with Dan taking the bait like a hungry fish.
