Man of the Match- Dan Davis
Goal of the Match- Both goals rather unremarkable, Bexley knick it for persistence
Save of the Match- Both goalkeeper made crucial late saves earning their team a point
Moment of the Match- Sean unnecessarily taking out Dan
One of the best games of the season ended in 1-1 draw at the Meridian, way out on pitch 5. It was a crucial game for many reasons. A crucial top of the table clash was occurring perpendicular to the pitch with Advent Royals beating Barca 2-0. Bexley were in a bit of a slump, without a win in 3, and they faced an old team mate in Sean Jobson.
The captains handshake did not occur as Bexley kicked off, complete with just 10 men. Sporting had the better opening as an early header looped onto the cross bar and Sean’s effort from inside the box was blocked. With Steve back in midfield, Bexley were keeping possession better than last week. When Mark was played in down the right, only a super stop from the Sporting keeper preventing the Fitness Development Director from giving his team the lead. Sporting threatened from set pieces keeping Dan busy; and down the right with an extremely tricky midfield which Rob assisted by Josh having a steady game out of position, contained for most of the match.
It would the number 11 who would earn his team a penalty; Steve the guilty party. The resulting penalty was feeble, no where near the corner meaning Dan could save and hold at the seconds attempt. The game would then go through a phase consisting of a succession of Sporting fouls. The debutant referee would be given a hard time which he largely dealt with well. Lee came close on two occasions with his 50 pence head from free kicks punted into the box from Mark, but failed to hit the target. Laurie would arrive mid way through the half.
The evenly matched half would swing Bexley’s way as Matt pounced like a Jaguar. With the ball in the Sporting box it was somewhat a scramble, Laurie’s shot eventually committed the keeper and Matt stroked home. Opportunities for Sporting were virtually absent down the right with James Brown having a good game. Kev and Lee also looked to have renewed their civil partnership and were back on the same wavelength this week. However, at this level mistakes will be punished instantly; and when a ball was switched from right to left Rob inexplicably found himself surrounded by three men leaving the simple task of squaring the ball and finding the net. Dreadful marking, Bexley failing to do the basics meaning they sacrificed their lead on the stroke of half time.
The pendulum then swung Sporting St George’s way as they would largely have the better of the second period. Bexley in this position many times this season, embarked on a disciplined defensive effort to be proud of. However the midfield control had gone. Clearance after clearance kept coming back as Bexley rode their luck with some miskicks, and the odd rush of blood. When Rob attempted to plunge forward he was dispossessed and grateful to see the chance squandered wide of the post. Sporting were not overly intelligent on the ball as their strikers should have had more opportunities. Laurie was assaulted as a Sporting player went for a head butt and the young official continued to wrestle for control of the match, the end result would be a Sporting yellow card and a final warning for Sean.
Sporting had two free kicks on the edge of the box, one blocked the other tipped over the bar. Then Sean had his second chance of scoring from a corner at the far post but failed for a second occasion. With 20 minutes to go Bexley would fashion some opportunities amongst the Sporting march. Matt was in space cutting in from the right and went for the top corner whistling just wide. James Hall surprised everyone with a first time volley from Mark’s cross which also gave Sporting something to think about.
Perhaps the best chance for the away side unfortunately fell to the 22nd best goal scorer on the pitch. Kev’s nose was not bleeding despite running into the 18 yard box and his moment was there to win the match. The first touch would never make the soccer am show boat, but if they are doing a titanic its right up there. The goalkeeper was brave at his feet and earned a goal kick for his team.
Then came the moment when Bexley thought they had the game, Rob surging forward like Alonso on the clean side of the grid had his standard effort from range which looked to half the ground to have found the corner. Indeed, some players were off celebrating but it hit the inside of the post, across the goal, and agonisingly wide. Replays showed the keeper had pulled off a sensational save. Up the other end, Sean got himself into trouble by cynically hacking down Dan with the ball in his hands. Further decent earned the Bexley old boy a familiar caution.
Drama right to the end as it was Sporting’s chance to win the match. James Brown was caught out for probably the first time in the game and the home side were in but Dan stood strong palming the ferocious shot wide. A late succession of corners aided by Pete’s assistant refereeing almost resulted in Sean having the last laugh as a second far post header this time clattered the bar. But this epic encounter would end a fair 1-1 draw. The Bexley effort should not be underestimated with all eleven players putting in a shift in a game which could have gone either way.
