Man of the Match- Rob Purcell
Goal of the Match- Sabonah first goal is one you can only stand and applaud
Save of the Match- Dan one vs one just before half time keeping Bexley in touching distance
Moment of the Match- James Brown failing to spot a clear penalty when Dan took down the striker. Surley joining Mark Clattenberg at FA HQ later this week to justify his decisions.
Bexley exiting their first cup competition of the season; but made higher level opposition to work for their victory. Sabonah 97 sat a lofty 26 places across three leagues above the home side, and in the end proved deserved winning.
Bexley lined up with MJ and Laurie in the middle, with the usual back four behind them. It would prove to be a busy morning in the Bexley third. Sobonah were big fellas and dominant on the ball. They were instantly creating chances overloading the forward areas with some slick pacing. Bexley defended manfully, keeping their discipline. Sabonah would inevitably make chances, first testing Dan early at the near post after Steve rashly dived in.
Bexley hung in there but could only fashion half chances in the early part of the game. A further strike parried kept the score down but resistance was futile. Probably the best goal ever scored against Bexley Athletic. James Hall aloud his man to drift giving him time, but the curling left footed strike from the edge of the box was something special as it nestled in the top corner.
Bexley regained their composure. Rob, Lee, Kev and Steve were each putting in a shift, with the midfield contributing to an impressive defensive effort. Rob may be nominated for a pride of Britain award to clear a ball off the line after the shot deflected off his keeper. Calamitous miss would follow, even Elton would have scored seven yards out with half the goal to hit.
After Matt’s header from a free kick, Bexley’s only other attempt on goal was decent. James cut inside from the right and almost found the fair corner only to be denied by a top save from the Sabonah keeper. Up the other end Dan had to spring into action again this time blocking one vs one as Sabonah surged in from the left. A fantastic team effort meant Bexley were only 1-0 down at half time.
After such a promising first half almost immediate catastrophe at the start of the second. The back four inexplicably stood off their opponents and were fortunate that the striker did not find the corner as Dan turned it behind. But as Laurie and MJ got themselves more into the game giving their team some possession, Bexley had lift off. Laurence fed James, and James fed the net. After his slighter earlier on James struck the ball from a similar position and beat the keeper all ends up. Jubilation, but it wouldn’t last long.
Back came Sabonah and hit a vicious long range effort. Dan should have done better parrying into the danger area. Kev and Rob went into synchronised slippage, as a player was on hand to finish with accuracy over the on rushing keeper. Keep Calm, Re-Group, and Carry On was the motto as Bexley stood up and continued to face the onslaught. The referee not having his best game missed a penalty for Sabonah as Dan parried another shot into the danger area and made up for it by bringing down the player in front of him. To be fair to the referee, James Brown was also in a perfect position to give the decision but kept his flag down. Possible red card escaped there.
Laurence would be made angry by a dig in the stomach, but his complaints appeared to fall on deaf ears with the referee. Both teams would then introduce fresh legs. Elton, James, and Josh would all be introduced to the arena. Elton could have crowned his come back with an equaliser, but was blocked by a defender. A true striker probably would have hit the ball first time. The longer the game went on, the longer Bexley had hope encouraged by a dipping shot late on which went narrowly over.
Bexley would be finished off with less than 10 minutes to go. Sabonah would break forward and feed a player in on the left. Kev chased back but couldn’t get close enough as another top finish found the far corner with power and accuracy. Bexley’s belief was then deflated as Sabonah finished the match as they had been for most of the game, attacking the Bexley goal. A dipping shot narrowly over and a close range strike saved by Dan and cleared by the defence would conclude a valiant effort by Bexley. Good momentum to take back into two crucial league games, YMCA Elite, mid table in Division 2 and Sporting St George a point below Bexley.
