Bexley Athletic went into their third fixture of the season confident. Peter Baulsom’s men were one of only two teams boasting a 100% record after the opening two games. Opponents this week were New London who had only managed 1 point from their opening two games. They could also only field 10 men with an emergency signing just before kick off. Pete picked an unchanged team, but demanded a much improved performance.
In the early exchanges Bexley looked stronger and it wasn’t long before they took the lead. Laurie was attacking down the left and attempted to the centre the ball when it struck the defenders arm. New London may have felt slightly hard done by as the defender couldn’t exactly do much about it, but it was given nonetheless. James converted low to the keeper’s right.
An early goal is always helpful and this settled Bexley. New London appeared capable in the final third, but was no match for Bexley’s in form defensive line. It wouldn’t be long before Bexley doubled their lead. A long kick from Dan intended for Elton struck a defender and fell to James; who hit a speculative effort. Very embarrassing for a keeper to let a ball go over his head from that distance! 2-0 Bexley.
Bexley looked to be enjoying their football and looked confident in possession. This led to a third goal in the first half. The ball was worked into the wide right area for Mark to cross. Laurie jumped to flick on and Sam was on scene to finish off at the far post.
Up the other end Bexley’s defence would be seriously breached for the one and only time in the game. New London passed their way through down the right; Dan was down at the feet of the attacker and then made a dench reaction save when the shot came in hard from a narrow angle unspotted by the referee. This took Bexley into half time 3-0 up. In truth the game was fairly competitive, but Bexley had found an end product where their opponents could not.
In the second half Bexley were as creative but a little less clinical. An array of free kicks were dealt with well as a team, despite being slow to form a wall at times. When a wall was in situ, Mark was brave a lion putting his face in front of the ball. Mark went to ground, but that magic water made it all better again and Mark showed tremendous character having being mowed down by a free kick to score the fourth goal. Again it came from a wide position and it was substitute Sasha who provided the ball for Mark to head in at the near post.
James and Sam would all have efforts on goal with to no success, and Louis was disappointed not to hit the target when in a promising position late on. Rob was gutted when he found himself free at the far post but did not make clean contact with the ball allowing the defender to clear off the line. More impressive for the left back was escaping punishment after a record three potential handball shouts in one game. A mention should also be made to Matty B for blocking many shots at crucial times which would have gone and unnoticed; and for Elton up top who played the team game pressing the opposition for 90 minutes providing space for others to exploit.
Maroon also won and stay top on goal difference, with Sunday’s opponents Eltham Phoenix sitting ready to pounce 5 points further back in third.
