After back to back defeats and without a win in three games Bexley Athletic needed a win. What came next was simple unexplainable.
Alarm clock failure ruled Laurie out of the first half, Rob was failing to buy festival tickets leaving Bexley looking short at the back on the run up to kick off. The previously planned 3-5-2 was chucked for a 4-4-1-1 to fit the players available. Olly would support Elton up top but would be withdrawn through injury after a committed challenge on the keeper.
Teviot unsurprisingly had the better of the first half but Bexley maintained their defensive shape well; restricting Teviot to few opportunities on target which Dan dealt with capably. Bexley didn’t create much up front, however the midfield led by Mike was doing a great job helping their back four out massively. Elton forgot the offside rule in the first period, and Dan Slade was booked for outrageously committing two fouls.
But goals change games and Teviot tapping in after a dubious offside call knocked the confidence out of Bexley. Defensively it become shaky and half time.
Laurie had dragged himself out of bed and after some blunt verbal instructions from the side line; the big centre back was introduced as Bexley reverted back to 3-5-2. Adam and Erik were saved for later in the half, and this switched seemed to even out the game; whilst Dan and Elton were displaying the beginnings of a partnership. Mike continued to excel in the defensive midfield position.
However, with a disappointing day on set pieces it wasn’t until the back end of the game Bexley created some dangerous chances. Elton convereted his to equalise after a fine ball from Chris. Bexley’s record scorer rounded the keeper and finished well from a tight angle. It was now game on!
This game could now go either way. Bexley created two more golden opportunities to score. Josh had all the time in the world eight yards out and pretty much a whole goal to aim at. Josh missed. How did he miss? Elton also had a chance inside the box, or be it in similar circumstances but also could not convert. Were these to be costly?
Catinho and Erik had been introduced; and Josh was motivated by nearly being subbed. The momentum had swung and Teviot looked more like scoring in the latter stages. Bexley would now take a point. What happened next will go down in Sunday league history.
Josh received the ball centrally around 40 yards out, displayed some spectacular control and the inexplicably struck a volley from range. Why would he do this? What a waste! No. Josh had noticed the sweeper keeper off his line and almost in slow motion everyone watching realised something special was happening. The ball dropped, and dropped and dropped into the net. Josh stood in the middle, Cantona esk, pretending he meant it. Doesn’t matter, game was won 2-1.
