Week 3 of 2016/17 saw Bexley Athletic welcome Old Roan, who had 6 points from 6 after the opening two games. Bexley were looking to build on their dramatic last minute winner from the week before.
Geoff Shreeves had the team news before the game. Bexley would revert to 4-4-2 with Pete injured and Laurie and Sam unavailable. Josh, Clarkey and Mike formed a very strong bench.
Old Roan arrived late and Bexley looked to capitalise on their lack of organisation early on. This back fired spectacularly as it was the home side who were asleep in every area of the park; giving their opponents far too much time on the ball. With the first attack, Old Roan scored with a route one ball through the middle of a disjointed line, rounding Dan and tapping in
It took several minutes for Bexley to wake up; but awake they did. Olli and Dan eventually got to grip with the centre of middle field and Catinho was getting some joy out on the left. Bexley’s equaliser on 15 minutes showed the benefit of work rate. Olli counter pressed in the final third stealing the ball and fired past the keeper who should have done a lot better.
Bexley kicked on and changes were made to freshen up the midfield, with Josh and Mike being introduced with Olli moving out wide. A succession of chances from long range some long range set pieces. Elton also fired into the side netting with a decent left footed strike.
Bexley took the lead and it was Catinho with his third goal in three games, finishing from close range from Sam who produced his second assist in as many games. Very shortly 2-1 become 3-1 as Olli delivered a well worked free kick and Mike rifled in at the far post for his first game of the season. Bexley pressed on with some good attacking work from and notable efforts from Josh and Dan. Old Roan were limited to precious few opportunities only fashioning one effort on target from a free kick; mainly due to some good recovery work from Bexley defensively. Spongebob made an amazing clearance using every inch of his height to head away.
Half time 3-1 was the least Bexley deserved, but there were defensive frailties which would not be ironed out. Old Roan couldn’t be this bad having won their previous two. Mike withdrew with nausea and Adam was rested for the final push with Jack and Dan Slade entering the arena
Bexley needed a period of defensive stability given 45 minutes is a long time to hold a 2-0 lead. What actually resulted was Old Roan opening up the home side down the right, and squaring the ball to an unmarked man who had two touches in the six yard box before scoring.
The result was now in the balance and Bexley played like a team with nothing to lose. Bexley were looking threatening from set pieces but were disappointing with free kicks direct at goal. Chances become limited in the second half as the game become a bit of a chess match; but Clarkey Old Roan looked terrified of Clarkey whilst Dan, Dan, Olli, Mike and Josh were producing some good stuff in the midfield. Jack found himself in on goal with Olli just a short pass away from a near certain goal, the rest will remain unreported
Old Roan pushed forward and dan saved one versus one mid way through the second half, but was less fortunate with the next effort. Drawn out by a ball in behind Muj, Dan wiped out his centre back and the striker went down in synchrony. Fishing for penalties all game, this time Old Roan got the spot kick and converted. 3-3.
Elton and Catinho had been reintroduced and Bexley responded well to a set back again. Mixing up the set pieces was troubling Old Roan, and eventually produced a goal. Decent delivery cleared, step up Spongebob to emerge out of his pineapple from under the sea to rifle into the bottom corner. 4-3, 12 minutes to go. Rob was finished. 118 filled into defence.
Bexley looked to hang on and had they took the three points, it would not have been a disgrace. But defensively they looked too uncertain to see out this lead and Old Roan equalised for a second time all be it in fortuitous circumstances. A rather hit and hope volley clipped 118 and looped over Dan who was rooted to the spot. 4-4!
Bexley had the best chances to score a match winning fifth. Catinho got in down the right with Elton free for a tap in. The rest won’t be mentioned. Elton then got in with nearly the last kick of the game but was stopped by a decent save from the keeper; and from the resulting corner punched the ball in and was correctly penalised.
Some will critics will say Clarkey should have been re-introduced a lot earlier, Dan responding after the game
"Yes I should have bought him on earlier; but we did not deserve to lose so I was weighing up the risk
“It was a good game for us, and I’m pleased with our start. We have scored in every game since the start of pre-season and there are noticeable improvements in quality from last season; in particular Catinho and the ginger one”
“Spongebob and bendy Erik have also been brilliant signings”
“With all this we clearly have issues defensively, and need to be mentality stronger to kill teams off. We will work on this but overall steps are in the right direction”.
