Bexley Athletic 2015 begun as the season begun, a hard fought win over Whitefoot. A three horse title race has developed between long term leaders Greenwich Mariners, Bexley, and in form Junior Red Spartans. 1 point covers the top 3, with Spartans having played a game more than their rivals.
A bitterly cold January morning on a Hall place pitch surviving well for the time of year would be the venue for the game. Only 11 players available for selection, Adam and Kev would marshal the back with Rob and Elton up top.
Whitefoot played like your stereotypical Stoke side of the past; aggressive, physical and not much football. Much like the first game of the season, individuals in the Whitefoot side were rather unpleasant. Bexley began the game better and looked the most likely to score, creating opportunities in the final third without really testing the keeper. But the game wasn’t goalless for long as Laurie played through Elton beating the offside trap and outpacing the defenders before finishing well across the keeper.
Whitefoot got a bizarre equaliser from a seemingly innocent high completely alluding Dan. As Whitefoot couldn’t believe their gift, they were soon behind as Olly was taken down in the box. Unbelievably, Elton didn’t scuff the penalty down the middle as Bexley maintained a 2-1 lead into half time.
A cautious mood at half time, with Rob feeling aggrieved to receive a yellow card with Whitefoot continually pressuring the referee. They came out stronger in the second half, taking the game to Bexley. The back four coped well, and Dan didn’t let the soft first goal affect the rest of the game as the Bexley 18 yard box was largely under complete control, limiting Whitefoot to two efforts on target comfortably saved. The physical game played well into Laurie's hands, as he completley dominated the midfield like Namanja Matic. Nonetheless, they did equalise, punishing Bexley for not reacting to a knock down in the box and firing into the corner from close range.
However, like in the first half, Bexley bounced back and went looking for a third. Rob Hazlewood put to bed an early miss by rifling the ball into the near post after Mark’s corner hit the wall. The closing stages were made more challenging after a ball down the middle wasn’t dealt with leaving Kev exposed and in desperately trying to make up lost ground, he took the Whitefoot player down and was dismissed for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. Whilst backs were to the wall, some good saves from the Whitefoot keeper denied Elton putting the game out of site. Academic in the end, as Bexley held on to the win with a magnificent team effort.
