The Second Round of the Open Knock Out Plate- Fred Jolly saw Bexley Athletic travel west to Cold Harbour Leisure Centre for a game against Woodside Celtic of Division 2. Bexley were looking to continue their recent form and stretch their unbeaten record but Woodside would prove stiff opposition. Playing on a hard pitch on a very windy day, Bexley were one player short as kick off arrived. Peter opted to start with ten men rather than play himself from the start ensuring we had one sub available. This would pay dividends later in the match. Bexley started positively winning an early corner off the opposition. Mark whipped the corner in and James fire a header past the goalkeeper into the right of the net, giving Bexley an early lead with just 2 minutes elapsed. As the match developed Woodside settled and put the Bexley defence under pressure, who on the whole coped well restricting the higher league opposition to speculative shots from outside the box, and attempts straight at the goalkeeper. Bexley were not helped by a strong head wind in the first half making it difficult to clear their lines especially for Lee at goal kicks. Woodside could not find a way through from a set piece either, Luke clearing a few corners from the near post. There was one hairy moment when a mix up in the box left Woodside with a free shot to level but they fired over the bar. Three quarters of the way through the first half, John Church arrived to play at left back pushing James forward who had switched with Mark. Woodside would come much closer twice before half time. When the defence was slow to react as the big striker raced through from the right Dan stretched to push the shot away and just got a hand on the loose ball as Kev put his foot through the clearance. Just before half time an early shot from 15 yards seemed to elude everyone as it stuck the post. John shielded the ball from a player looking to take advantage of the rebound before it was cleared. Half time brought instructions for more of the same. Disciplined defending and keeping the ball on the floor. The second period started largely as the first had ended, Woodside attacking with Bexley absorbing the pressure. With the home side now playing into the head wind, through balls were holding up preventing the attackers from running onto them comfortably. With Steve playing a solid game at left back and Adam commanding his defenders, Woodside were struggling to find a way through. Matt, James and Laurence also looked hungry on the counter attack. With all the possession Woodside were only able to force one save in the second half when one of their players shot from inside the box but was saved by Dan’s right foot. The second goal in this game was always going to be crucial and as full time grew closer Bexley went looking for it. Mark was pushing forward from the left, Matt and Laurence’s movement caused problems for the Woodside defence but Bexley were unable to convert these into real chances. A blocked left footed volley from Adam, and a spectacular volley from Luke the most notable opportunities. A physical tackle forced James off injured and with 7 minutes of normal time remaining player manager Peter Baulsom came on in attack. He made an immediate impact charging down a clearance and opening Woodside up with some precise flicks. Four minutes before full time Bexley scored their second in some-what bizarre fashion when Mark whipped in a corner straight into the angle of the far post and bar then into the net, helped on it’s way by a defender. It’s not clear whether he meant it (probably not) but they all count and it made the final minutes far more comfortable for Bexley. Woodside’ response was poor as an attacker took an unnecessary kick at John’s shin. After the hand bags fizzled away the ref somehow deemed it not to be violent conduct only giving a yellow card. Perhaps Woodside were mindful of the obvious hand ball John had escaped with earlier. This win leaves Bexley Athletic five games unbeaten in all competitions and through to the third round were we will face Danson Albion A, thirty place above us; currently fourth in the Senior Division. It will be tough but we have shown we can give any team a game in ninety minutes but attention will for now turn to Clifton who we play in the league next week.
