Results last week meant promotion was still a possibility, but Bexley required seven points from the last three games starting with champions Sporting St George B. A tall ask but if Bexley were to regain the form that saw them beat two Divsion 2 teams earlier in the season, Bexley would have more than a chance.
It was evident from kick off that Sporting were worthy champions and moved the ball particularly well. Number 10 up front was easily the best striker we had faced all season. Bexley tried to keep it tight in the opening ten minutes with Laurie leading the defence with half injured Kev been moved to left back. In the opening moments, Sporting were only reduced to speculative shots from long range which failed to hit the target. Number 10s first opportunity came when a mistake from Laurie gave him a volley but was over. Dan let a ball slip through his hands but recovered punching the ball into touch.
Sporting’s first goal was somewhat fortunate. A free kick out on the left conceded by Kev, was whipped in and met with a strong header which was going wide before a deflection took it inside the post. Despite this, Bexley could not make any influence on the Sporting goal. Set pieces were proving a problem with Sporting’s first corner falling dangerously at the near post before being punched away. The second corner produced the second goal. Sporting cleverly crowded Dan into his goal who called but was caught well underneath the ball for it to fall and be tapped in at the far post.
From this point, Bexley started to get a grip on the game and attempted to get the ball to Mark and Elgin out wide but couldn’t force a real opportunity. Kenan was again being used as a target man but was somewhat isolated up front on his own with Matt and Laurence doing more defending than attacking. Adam worked the goalkeeper with a long range strike with Bexley’s only effort on target in the first half.
Morale wasn’t completely low at half time and Pete brought on James for Kenan to try to find that goal which would reignite Bexley’s promotion hopes. Steve had kept number 10 quiet out on the right in the first half but he had moved centrally in the second half where he found far more success. The second half started with a dangerous ball across the Bexley box which Sporting did not capitalise on. As much as Bexley tried, they could not find that goal and a third goal scored by number ten who beat Adam even in his attempts to fowl him to slot home and appeared to seal the victory for Sporting.
However, Bexley responded with a decent goal of their own when an attack led to Mark receiving a cheaky flick from Laurence to score a fine goal. He collected the ball and put it on the centre spot, Bexley were not beaten. It did seem that Sporting were still dictating the game. Number 10 missed a sitter after rounding Dan and failing to slot and open goal. Bexley had their chances to score a few more. Adam’s control and volley failed to test the goalkeeper this time, and James whipped corner went agonisingly wide. Number 10 made up for his clanger when he chased a ball that had been cleared into the corner and with unbelievable ease cut inside the defence to score again.
Bexley responded again but it was too little too late. Matt seems to be regaining his form as received the ball from Elgin and made a good run through the defence to score a left footed drive. His second goal in two games, strengthening his position as the clubs top goal scorer. Lee followed this up with long range effort a yard wide to the left.
Efforts to play it short from the back failed to bring any opportunities as Sporting continued to attack. Number ten had a shot saved from Dan and later, Dan saved again from Number ten recovering well having been rounded by the striker. A save later at the near post kept the scoreline respectable. Unfortunatley,Bexley let in a sloppy fifth with Number ten with the assist this time as he played a ball across the box from the left to an inexplicably unmarked team mate to score. A disappointing way to end the game were it seemed some had given up before the full time whistle.
Full time was 5-2, losing our defensive record as it stands to Sporting St George with two games to play, so there is still an accolade up for grabs. It seemed we scored our goals at the wrong times but were beaten fairly by a better team. A second man of the match performance from Laurie with a fine performance as Bexley look forward to New Life next week, who sprung a surprise 4-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Pete is looking to encourage a strong finish to the season.
