Man of the Match- MJ
Goal of the Match- No Elton, Calum’s brave header in front of the keeper for his first goal
Save of the Match- Dan’s save late on getting down to tip round the post
Moment of the Match- Bexley scoring from a corner
Bexley Athletic stormed to their third win in as many games with a convincing 3-0 over Sparrows Lane in the Division 2 cup. The away team were brushed aside as a fine all round display from Bexley saw them comfortably into the second round setting up a home tie with YMCA Elite.
Team news was unremarkable. Adam continued to fill the void at centre back with Kev in Florida, Calum played right midfield with Mark also away. Bexley dominated from the off taking most of the possession, MJ and Olly showing an immediate bond in the centre of the park. With much of the early exchanges being played in the Sparrows half, the keeper was not overly tested despite being unconvincing on several occasions. Matty B was closest early on but the keeper just beat the prying centre forward to the ball.
Bexley were winning corner after corner to no avail. The flanks were being exploited well with James and Calum getting to the byline on several occasions, the final ball was just lacking. Like Nani and Ronaldo, Bexley’s wingers would intercâmbio throughout the first half. At the back, Bexley were fortunate not to concede when Dan was dragged well out the goal, this was followed by a header straight at the keeper, and late a decent long ball caught out Adam and Dan was lucky to get a left foot on the ball to intervene.
Not for the first time this season Bexley would take the lead in bizarre fashion. The location the left; the assister Olly, the score Birdie, the description to follow...Olly played a magnificent right footed pass to Steve, who controlled the ball with supreme skill and fired a superb shot on goal which was surely going to be caught by the keeper. However, in pure Rob Green style let the ball slip through his hands and legs into the side of the net. A deserved lead.
Bexley continued to control the game and press. James forced the keeper into a save, Matt went close when in on the keeper, and others had efforts just off target (Laurence may have had an effort in there). NEWS FLASH...BEXLEY SCORE FROM A CORNER, THIS IS NOT A LIE. MJ takes the accolade for actually getting the ball to a green head, Calum gets the man points for sticking his head in front of the corner to score the goal. This lead would be taken into half time, Lee in particular had a decent half standing up and intervening against the Sparrow’s strikers, Dan saved at his near post, and the away side squandered a free header from the resulting corner.
Just before half time, Elton had showed up. Bexley were pleased with their performance but needed to spread the ball more. Sparrows came out fighting in a more uneventful second half. Bexley never really looked like conceding. The control and composure of the four midfielders very much contributing to Bexley’s dominance, as well as another solid performance by Rob at left back.
Calum had a curling free kick flapped at by the keeper, and Matty B went close for a second time. Elton’s contribution would be an onset of abuse due to questionable line calls before coming on for Matt after Josh was bought on for Adam, still nursing a not fully operating ankle. James suffering from fatigue, would initially move to centre back before returning up front as MJ moved to right back, Steve to centre back. Bexley’s squad showing the flexibility of a flexi ruler.
These decisions would be vindicated. Having said this Elton scored the luckiest goal of the match. Calum played the ball to feet, the ball rebounded off Elton past the defender on his back. He chased the fall like a puppy after a tennis ball before mis-kicking it into the net. They all count. Josh almost had a moment to savour as he found himself millimetres away from a cross at the far post. Dan palmed round the post to preserve a clean sheet well deserved by the team.
Olly will return to Uni after a record number of fouls committed in three games, alongside a solid start. Mean Machines next week, played three, lost three, scored four, and conceded twenty four.
